Look Ahead: Will Michigan Be Better On The Defensive Line in 2020?

Michigan's defensive line has been really good this year and the two best pieces should be back next year.

Michigan's current defensive line is very good and has a nice blend of experience and talented youth. 

The Wolverines' most seasoned veterans are at defensive tackle in seniors Carlo Kemp and Michael Dwumfour. Kemp has made 21 starts at the position and Dwumfour has played in 30 games with two starts.  Throw in graduate transfer defensive end Mike Danna, who started 16 games at Central Michigan before arriving at U-M, and junior Kwity Paye, who has started 12 games, and you have a group that has played a lot of football.

True sophomore Aidan Hutchinson has been U-M's most consistent defensive lineman despite earning his starting role just this year and now has nine starts under his belt. Freshman defensive tackles Chris Hinton and Mazi Smith haven't played much but are expected to be big time contributors down the line because of their athleticism and size at over 300 pounds.

Add it all up and you have some solid, dependable contributors leaving after 2019 with some high-ceiling, youngsters ready to battle for playing time in 2020.

Because of the potential and talent of some of the younger guys who haven't played much, 71 percent of 361 votes think U-M's defensive line will be better next year.

Are they right? Kemp is definitely on his way out. Dwumfour, on the other hand, has a chance at grabbing a redshirt due to prior injuries but it could be a long shot. So if they both go, losing two dependable starters like Kemp and Dwumfour could be a lot to overcome, but it might happen pretty naturally.

Hinton has played just 24 snaps this year and Smith has played even less with six total plays. Still, they are heavier, taller and more athletic than both Kemp and Dwumfour. That's not a knock on the current starters, but the youngsters are large and talented.

Hutchinson will definitely be back as a true sophomore and Paye likely will be with a year of eligibility left. There are some talented ends on the roster that haven't really seen the field yet so they'll be important next year as far as depth is concerned. 

Redshirt sophomore Luiji Vilain has flashed a few times this year and appears to be healthy with eligibility remaining so he'll be one to watch. Redshirt freshman Taylor Upshaw, along with true freshmen David Ojabo, Mike Morris, Gabe Newburg and Julius Welschof all have some ability but haven't been called upon yet. 

Two big question marks are defensive tackles Donovan Jeter and Phillip Paea. They are both in their third year at Michigan and have been passed up by younger players. They could realistically exit the program and not really affect the rotation.

There is also a three-man class set to sign this December (for 2020 enrollment.)

Michigan is going to be bringing back enough experience next year to help along a few guys that might actually be more talented than those playing right now. That could be a really good formula for the Wolverines and might prove the majority of voters right.

Who do you see playing up front next year? How good can the unit be? Comment below!!!