MAZI SMITH

According to Michigan, Smith recorded a 29 1/2-inch vertical jump and 8-foot, 11-inch broad jump. “Working hard.”Smith checked in at 6-foot-3 and 319 pounds, and his freak strength and athleticism make him a coveted defensive tackle. Most mock drafts have the Grand Rapids, Mich., native going in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. “These coaches gettin’ paid a lot of money to know and be able to see (my) traits,” Smith said. “You start training like a track star as a big fella, it starts getting hard on you a little bit,” Smith said.

And boy did the Michigan defensive tackle deliver. Last summer, Michigan reported Smith as pushing 20-plus reps of 325 pounds (not the typical 225) and a max bench of 550 pounds. 💪 @mazismith📺: 2023 #NFLCombine continues today at 3pm ET on @nflnetwork📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/BeAVfhx3jm — NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2023There was an expectation that Smith would come to Indianapolis and flash his strength, and did he ever. The first-team all-Big Ten selection elected not to do take part in on-field testing Thursday, skipping such activities as the 40-yard dash, three-cone drill and agility workouts. Later today, defensive backs and special teams players are expected to participate in testing and on-field drills inside Lucas Oil Stadium.

INDIANAPOLIS — Those eagerly anticipating Mazi Smith’s testing results are going to have to wait a bit longer. Michigan’s highly touted defensive tackle, a projected second-round NFL draft pick, has opted out of participating in the scheduled testing at the league’s scouting combine, it was reported Thursday. Smith, who was on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium during his group’s round of testing, also posted an 80 7/8-inch wingspan. The development comes after Smith missed his scheduled interview with the media on Wednesday, with an NFL spokesman saying the Michigan lineman was still tied up with medical evaluations. More: Michigan DT Mazi Smith no-shows media session ahead of NFL combine workoutsSmith was also timed running the shuttle in 4.41 seconds, a 3-cone drill of 6.95 seconds (which would have been his group’s fastest at the combine last year), and 60-yard shuttle in 11.90 seconds.

Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith, a prospect touted for his freakish size and strength, skipped out on his scheduled media interview session at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday. An NFL spokesman told a small group of reporters that Smith, who was set to take the podium at 10 a.m. Defensive linemen and linebackers arrived in Indianapolis on Monday for a long week of exams, meetings, interviews, testing and on-field drills. Smith was scheduled to undergo an orthopedic exam, meet with the media, sit in on an NFL players union meeting and interview with prospective NFL teams on Wednesday. According to Michigan, Smith can bench press 20-plus reps of 325 pounds (not the typical 225), maxing out at 550 pounds, has a 44-inch vertical jump and posted 9-feet, 4 1/2-inches in the broad jump.

The first week of March is here, which means one thing when it comes to the football world — it’s NFL combine team. And with the 2023 NFL Draft coming up, April 27-29 in Kansas City, now’s the time to ramp things up. Turner, all of whom could be the first Michigan players off the board in late-April. Last week, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said he had third-round grades on both. • The one missing name from this list is cornerback Gemon Green, who was the only other notable Michigan player to declare for the NFL draft and not earn an invite.

And under Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s leadership, might we soon see some new common-sense firearm safety laws?

Smith’s record will be scrubbed clean if he stays out of trouble during probation.

ANN ARBOR, MI - Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith was sentenced on Thursday for his weapon violation. Smith originally faced a felony weapons charge for carrying a concealed weapon without a license during an October traffic stop by an Ann Arbor police officer. He pleaded down to a misdemeanor charge in December according to Washtenaw County court records. Smith’s record from the October incident has since been scrubbed from Washtenaw County court records. Read more from MLive:Michigan DT Mazi Smith pleads guilty to misdemeanor weapons chargeProsecutor explains why it took seven weeks to issue charges against Michigan DT Mazi SmithEmoni Bates suspended by Eastern Michigan basketball following arrest on gun charges

Mazi Smith, the big, physical tackle who commanded plenty of attention from opposing offenses the last couple of years, has decided to leave school and go pro. The Michigan defensive tackle will forego his remaining eligibility and declare for the 2023 NFL Draft, according to a Monday afternoon report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. More: ‘A life lesson.’ Michigan DT Mazi Smith opens up about Ann Arbor arrestThe 6-foot-3, 337-pound Smith posted a career-high season in 2022, totaling 48 tackles (2 1/2 for a loss), half a sack and a forced fumble in 14 starts. Smith, a senior from Grand Rapids, Mich., is a former four-star recruit who saw the field early during his time in Ann Arbor. He is due for sentencing Thursday in an Ann Arbor courtroom on a misdemeanor weapons charge stemming from an October arrest, an incident Smith later called “a life lesson.”

There were big stories out of the University of Michigan – the termination of former President Mark Schlissel, the arrest of Wolverine defensive tackle Mazi Smith and the closing of Ulrich’s Bookstore. And from bike lanes to gas ban proposals to a realignment of city council after the election, there have been some noteworthy headlines out of Ann Arbor in 2022. Here are the five most-read stories of the year out of our Ann Arbor newsroom:Produce from Michigan farm using untreated human waste declared public health riskGlock 19, large amount of ammunition found during Mazi Smith traffic stop, records showWhy did University of Michigan fire Mark Schlissel? John Counts is one of the News Leaders for MLive/The Ann Arbor News where he started as a police and court reporter in 2012. MORE ‘HELLO, ANN ARBOR’:Hello Ann Arbor: It’s fun to look back at lost student hangouts; Dexter remembers a leaderHello, Ann Arbor: Co-op’s hot bar is back; the story of ill-fated Space WorldHello, Ann Arbor: The saga of Mazi Smith; Ann Arbor’s bold natural gas ban postponedHello, Ann Arbor: Another college football felony; superintendent addresses school threatsHello, Ann Arbor: Felony charge in Big House tunnel attack; local woman takes over Wordle

Both teams met with the media again on Wednesday. We spoke to Michigan’s key defensive players and co-defensive coordinators Jesse Minter and Sherrone Moore, as well as their counterparts on TCU’s offense. In addition to some Xs and Os talk, we discuss Mike Morris’ health status and Mazi Smith’s first comments since his arrest. Stay tuned for plenty more coverage leading up to the Fiesta Bowl, as Thursday is the big “media day” for both teams. We’ll get a chance to talk to any and all Wolverines, and will bring you the most important news.

Wolverines defensive tackle says he was in the process of applying for a concealed-weapon permit when traffic stop led to charge.

Michigan football star Mazi Smith said Wednesday he was in the process of applying for a concealed-weapon permit when a traffic stop earlier in the year led to him being charged with felony gun possession.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Mazi Smith says he was days away from legally obtaining a concealed pistol license when he was pulled over in Ann Arbor during an early-October morning. The arrest lead to felony weapons charges filed in December, prompting public backlash for the program’s handling of the situation. Smith wasn’t suspended for any time, in part because of the circumstances surrounding the situation and his honesty during it all. He instead chooses to let it all out on the football field, which is why Smith says he’s grateful for the second chance. “People get a story and they take it and run with it, and make it seem like something that’s not,” Smith said.

I routinely ended up peering ponderously through the co-op’s windows at the deserted hot bar inside, wondering when, if ever, it would open back up. Also out of this world this week was a story about Space World, the space-themed amusement park planned for the Ypsilanti area that never got lift off in the 1970s. Check out the video below:That’s what caught our eye in Ann Arbor this week. John Counts is one of the News Leaders for MLive/The Ann Arbor News where he started as a police and court reporter in 2012. MORE ‘HELLO, ANN ARBOR’:Hello, Ann Arbor: The saga of Mazi Smith; Ann Arbor’s bold natural gas ban postponedHello, Ann Arbor: Another college football felony; superintendent addresses school threatsHello, Ann Arbor: Felony charge in Big House tunnel attack; local woman takes over WordleHello, Ann Arbor: Freshwater jellyfish in our lakes; pizza vending machine closesHello, Ann Arbor: The rise of ‘chonky’ campus squirrels; how Ann Arbor voted

ANN ARBOR, MI - Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith won’t be sentenced for his misdemeanor weapons charge until after the end of football season, according to Washtenaw County court records. Smith’s sentencing hearing is now scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Jan. 12, in Washtenaw County 15th District Court before Judge Karen Valvo, according to court records. Smith and his attorney John Shea requested the rescheduling and the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office agreed, according to the Dec. 14 court order authorizing the new sentencing date. He was charged in Washtenaw County 14A-1 District Court on Dec. 1 with one felony weapons charge. Read more from MLive:Michigan DT Mazi Smith pleads guilty to misdemeanor weapons chargeProsecutor explains why it took seven weeks to issue charges against Michigan DT Mazi SmithEmoni Bates suspended by Eastern Michigan basketball following arrest on gun charges

Unfortunately, the legal issues of defensive tackle Mazi Smith have been making the most headlines this week. Also this week, a bold proposal in the city of Ann Arbor was postponed. That’s what caught our eye in Ann Arbor this week. John Counts is one of the News Leaders for MLive/The Ann Arbor News where he started as a police and court reporter in 2012. MORE ‘HELLO, ANN ARBOR’:Hello, Ann Arbor: Another college football felony; superintendent addresses school threatsHello, Ann Arbor: Felony charge in Big House tunnel attack; local woman takes over WordleHello, Ann Arbor: Freshwater jellyfish in our lakes; pizza vending machine closesHello, Ann Arbor: The rise of ‘chonky’ campus squirrels; how Ann Arbor voted

Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Mazi Smith has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge for unauthorized possession of a gun in a Washtenaw County court Thursday.

ANN ARBOR, MI - Michigan football defensive tackle Mazi Smith took a plea bargain is his felony weapons case, pleading guilty Thursday to a misdemeanor firearm possession charge in Washtenaw County 14A-1 District Court. The punishment will no exceed more than one year in prison or a $1,000 fine, said Washtenaw County Judge Cedric Simpson during the Dec. 8 probable cause conference. The sentencing hearing will take place on Dec. 29 in Washtenaw County 15th District Court in front of Judge Karen Valvo. Jon McDonagh during a Nov. 30 sworn testimony to Washtenaw County Magistrate James Cameron. The officer discovered that Smith did not have a concealed pistol license, though the Glock was purchased legally and registered to Smith, records show.

Jon McDonagh’s sworn testimony to Washtenaw County Magistrate James Cameron, according to a transcript obtained by MLive/The Ann Arbor News. In addition to finding ammunition, an Ann Arbor police officer pulled Smith over for approximately doubling the speed limit through a residential neighborhood, McDonagh told Cameron. Smith quickly confirmed his name to the officer and admitted to owning the gun, records show. This is not the actual gun found during the traffic stop of Mazi Smith. The officer discovered that Smith did not have a concealed pistol license, though the Glock was purchased legally and registered to Smith, records show.

Speaking to reporters during a Fiesta Bowl teleconference Sunday night, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh defended his and the university’s decision not to suspend Smith following his arrest in October. According to Lt. Bonnie Theil of the Ann Arbor Police Department, Smith was stopped for speeding on Oct. 7. He was arrested on scene, processed at the police station and later released pending review by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office. Bates was lodged overnight in Washtenaw County Jail and arraigned less than 48 hours later. Meanwhile, charges also were filed against seven Michigan State football players following an Oct. 29 incident inside the tunnel at Michigan Stadium.

Michigan is aiming for its second straight Big Ten championship and has a chance to accomplish the feat Saturday night against Purdue. Kickoff at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis is at 8:17 p.m., and MLive will be there providing live updates throughout. This has been a busy news week for Michigan, which will be without star running back Blake Corum, who underwent knee surgery this week. For the Boilermakers, they are in the conference title game for the first time and looking to win a Big Ten title for the first time since 2000. Beat writers chatRecruiting: Michigan regains its footing in Ohio24-year-old QB, versatile defenders among Purdue’s key players vs. MichiganThe 10 defining moments of Michigan’s football seasonBig Ten championship: Michigan vs. Purdue predictions from MLive’s beat writers

Another week, another college football player charged with a felony. Meanwhile, over at Ann Arbor Public Schools, Superintendent Jeanice Swift addressed concerns over social media threats that have closed schools recently. That’s what caught our eye in Ann Arbor this week. John Counts is one of the News Leaders for MLive/The Ann Arbor News where he started as a police and court reporter in 2012. MORE ‘HELLO, ANN ARBOR’:Hello, Ann Arbor: Felony charge in Big House tunnel attack; local woman takes over WordleHello, Ann Arbor: Freshwater jellyfish in our lakes; pizza vending machine closesHello, Ann Arbor: The rise of ‘chonky’ campus squirrels; how Ann Arbor votedHello, Ann Arbor: Big problems in the Big House tunnel; restaurant revamps old lumber mill

ANN ARBOR, MI - Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith did not have a valid concealed pistol license for his firearm when Ann Arbor police stopped him for speeding in October, according to a press release. An Ann Arbor police officer stopped Smith for speeding at 9:35 am. on Oct. 7, according to Lt. Bonnie Theil of the Ann Arbor Police Department. He was going at least five mph over the speed limit in a 35 mph zone, according to court records. Read more: Michigan DT Mazi Smith charged with carrying a concealed weaponAnn Arbor police said Smith was released with a felony weapon charge pending review by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office.

Michigan football star Mazi Smith is facing a felony weapons charge after he was pulled over in October with a gun in the car before completing the process of obtaining his concealed pistol license, according to his attorney.

Michigan football star Mazi Smith is being arraigned in Washtenaw County on a felony weapons charge.

ANN ARBOR, MI - It took about seven weeks for Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith to be charged with a felony weapons charge based on an Oct. 7 incident. Eastern Michigan basketball star Emoni Bates saw a felony weapons charge authorized the day after a Sept. 18 arrest by Ann Arbor police. Read more: Michigan DT Mazi Smith charged with carrying a concealed weaponBates was arrested at the scene of the Sept. 18 incident, Savit said. His office received the report on the Smith incident from the Ann Arbor Police Department on Oct. 14, he said. Multiple messages have been left with the Ann Arbor Police Department requesting details on the Smith incident.

Michigan football star Mazi Smith is facing a felony weapons charge stemming from an incident in early October.

Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith is facing a felony weapons charge following an Oct. 7 incident in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County court records show. Smith was charged in 15th District Court in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, records show, after a warrant was issued. A message to a Michigan football team spokesman was not immediately returned. Smith, 21, is being represented by Ann Arbor attorney John A. Shea. 1 freak, Smith has appeared in (and started) every game since the incident.

Michigan was full steam ahead on the recruiting trail after Saturday’s win over Ohio State. The Wolverines landed three commits from Ohio prospects since then (and also one the day before the game) as they look to capitalize on their 12-0 regular season. But their 2023 class took a massive hit Tuesday night as Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) Catholic four-star edge defender Collins Acheampong flipped his commitment to Miami. On the latest episode of “Wolverine Confidential” podcast, MLive’s Ryan Zuke, Andrew Kahn and Aaron McMann discuss the latest recruiting news and what it means for the program moving forward. 2 in College Football Playoff rankingsMike Morris, Jake Moody earn Big Ten player of the year awardsWhy Mazi Smith’s game vs. Ohio State was the best of his Michigan careerAs college football openings grow, Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan staff becomes targetJesse Minter named finalist for Broyles Award as nation’s top assistant

ANN ARBOR – Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has had four media appearances since his team’s win over Ohio State on Saturday, and he can’t stop raving about Mazi Smith’s performance. Smith is a captain and is the “tip of the spear” Michigan’s defense, but as a 6-foot-3, 337-pound nose tackle, he’s known more for his size and brute strength than his stamina.

I think it drives them a little bit.”Only two members of Michigan’s current roster, receiver Ronnie Bell and kicker Jake Moody, played in that 2018 game at Ohio Stadium. We’re really excited for it.”To date, Michigan has gotten a taste of big, loud stadiums. Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy eager for first start vs. Ohio StateBut the 104,944-seat Ohio Stadium is a different beast. Just like Ohio State, the Wolverines are 11-0 and in need of a victory to reach the Big Ten championship game, and likely the College Football Playoff. They just want to get prepared.”While Michigan will bring with it a bunch of a first-timers to Ohio Stadium, they have a few players on the roster who know what to expect.

A few days removed from that game, he reflected on a week he won’t forget and looked ahead to a day he likely won’t either. “This is the game of the year,” Oluwatimi said of Michigan’s matchup with Ohio State on Saturday. Michigan nose tackle Mazi Smith, who goes head to head with Oluwatimi at times during practice, knew months ago that the transfer was going to upgrade Michigan’s offensive line. Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh spoke about it the next day, mentioning Oluwatimi’s connection to the victims. All season, Oluwatimi has brought veteran leadership to an offensive line considered among the best in the country.

The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 34-3 in a long, laborious event to improve to 10-0 on the season for the first time since 2006.

It’s state championship week in Ann Arbor as the undefeated Michigan Wolverines will play host to the Michigan State Spartans Saturday under the lights at The Big House.

“I got a good amount of attention last year,” said Smith, who tallied 37 tackles (2 1/2 for a loss) in 14 starts in 2021. And while that may not be ideal for his own personal stat line, Smith also recognizes that football can be a game of chess. Minter acknowledged the need to keep Smith, a former four-star recruit from Grand Rapids, “fresh and ready to go” for conference play. It was a completely different story against Iowa, which completely erased Smith from making any sort of impact in the run game. “They couldn’t get nothin’ goin’ with the run, you know?,” Smith said.

ANN ARBOR -- Between Michigan’s drought-ending win at Iowa and potential top-10 matchup with Penn State is this Saturday’s visit to Indiana. “Whatever tag you put on a game, it comes down to playing good,” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said on Monday. “All the teams we play -- this week, next week, and every week after -- if we play good, we’ve got a really good chance at winning. If we don’t play good, we’ve got a really good chance of getting beat.”So far, the Wolverines have played good. It’s about us.”Surely the Wolverines will talk about a heightened sense of focus and preparation for Michigan State and Ohio State, but that doesn’t mean they’re slacking this week.

ANN ARBOR – Kris Jenkins’ nickname on Michigan’s football team is now public knowledge, and the junior defensive tackle is completely content with it. Michigan visited the Genesee County Jail last month, and Selzer was christened an honorary sheriff by Sheriff Christopher Swanson. STORY: Meet The Sheriff, Michigan football’s walk-on turned special teams standoutMeanwhile, the 6-foot-3, 337-pound Smith was named No. STORY: Michigan’s Mazi Smith tops college football ‘freaks’ listOther nicknames stem from players’ real names. Safeties and special teams coach Jay Harbaugh shared one of his favorites on Wednesday: quarterback Cade McNamara – “Cader tot.”“That’s a pretty good one,” Harbaugh said.

It’s game week for the reigning Big Ten champions, and the Michigan Wolverines are coming into the 2022 season hungry for more. They’re looking to build on the structure set at the end of last season.

Once all 140 players on the Michigan football submitted their votes for team captains, the coaches retreated to a different room inside Schembechler Hall to tally the votes. At that point, Harbaugh announced the captains for the 2022 season: Erick All, Ronnie Bell, Cade McNamara, Mike Sainristil, and Mazi Smith. They are the group that will try to lead Michigan to a second straight Big Ten title -- and perhaps more. Bell came to Michigan in 2018; the other four captains were part of the 2019 class. Michigan had just one captain each year from 1879 to 1969 before multiple captains became the norm.

Michigan has another player atop Bruce Feldman’s list of college football ‘freaks.’The Athletic’s college football writer published his annual list of the 100 most impressive athletes around the country on Wednesday, and Wolverines defensive tackle Mazi Smith checked in at the very top. The program record is apparently 2.21 seconds, and Smith did it in 2.82 seconds. 2 on Feldman’s ‘freaks’ list last year and is 60 pounds lighter than Smith, did it in 2.57 seconds.) Smith even dominated Michigan’s combo-twist machine aimed to measure resistance in the trenches, forcing the strength staff to call the manufacturer to have more weight added to the machine. “Mazi’s rotational strength is ridiculous,” Herbert told The Athletic, touting Smith as the strongest defensive lineman he’s seen in his 25 years in football.

Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith and Michigan State safety Xavier Henderson are expected to play important roles for their defenses this season. Both received preseason national recognition on Monday morning. The duo was named to the 90-player watch list for the Bednarik Award, given annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football.

Note: This is the fifth story in an eight-part offseason series going in depth on the Michigan football team’s ‘X-factors,’ best players or position groups set for success in 2022. • Part IV was on offensive tackle Ryan Hayes, who’s ‘exclamation point’ year ahead is pivotal for Michigan’s offensive line. ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Mazi Smith got his chance to settle in along Michigan’s defensive line last year, blending in among a group of playmakers who helped take that side of the ball to new heights. Now, as the 2022 season nears, expectations are high for the senior defensive tackle from Grand Rapids. Read more on Michigan football:NIL collectives are coming to Michigan, AD Warde Manuel saysWhere does U-M turn after missing on Saline 5-star QB CJ Carr?

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The biggest question facing Michigan football this offseason no longer has to do with the quarterback position. Where’s the pass rush going to come from? “Yes, we would like to generate more production from the inside,” Mike Elston, Michigan’s first-year defensive line coach, told reporters on Tuesday. A competent defensive line and advantageous pass rush can make a lot of average players on the back end look good. While guys like Morris and Upshaw are the obvious targets, it’s going to have to come from guys up and down the line.

Expect more of the same in 2022, Minter says, but with his own wrinkles. The Wolverines finished eighth in the country in scoring defense (17.4 points per game) and 20th in total defense (330.9), re-establishing themselves as one of the nation’s best. Last year, the playmakers were the edge guys — that was pretty clear — and I think the defense was built around that. Also clear on their mind is finding production in the pass-rushing department, a real strength of the defense last year. “We’ll always look to find a better way to do things,” Minter said.

ANN ARBOR – It wasn’t long into Mazi Smith’s Michigan career before he learned about the business side of college football. Talking to reporters inside Schembechler Hall this week, Smith said nothing surprises him anymore about the perpetual coaching carousel in the sport. So as Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh generated headlines throughout the offseason with his flirtation with the NFL, Smith tuned out the noise and focused on improving himself. I want Coach Harbaugh to be here and he here, but everybody got to make the best decision for themself. Players will come up to you and they’ve got a smile on their face: ‘What’s up, coach?

DANIA BEACH, Fla. — A look up and down Michigan’s depth chart on defense and you’ll notice some familiar faces. But a disastrous 2020 season brought about major change, including the installation of 34-year-old NFL assistant Mike Macdonald as defensive coordinator. Not only did the Xs and Os change with Macdonald, but so did his philosophy around personnel. It was really good when he came.”Turner isn’t the only player on Michigan’s defense to say that in recent months. He wanted it to be broad-based and include as many entry points as possible for players without compromising certain principles.

Defensive backs coach Mike Zordich was one of only two assistants to stay with Harbaugh from the very beginning. More: Cornelius Johnson — ‘Cold, dark place’ needed to prepare for Georgia, Orange Bowl• Hiring Mike Macdonald as defensive coordinator. John Harbaugh gave Jim his blessing and full endorsement of Macdonald, considered a rising star in the NFL coaching ranks. Players say Macdonald met with them individually and began tailoring the new Michigan defense around them. More: ‘He’s done a ton.’ Mike Macdonald credited as difference maker for U-M defense• Promoting Sherrone Moore.

Earlier this year, players praised first-year coordinator Mike Macdonald and his new-look staff for the give-and-take that goes on behind the scenes at Schembechler Hall. As a result, Hill-Green made his first collegiate start in the season opener against Western Michigan. Colson, a true freshman, has taken on the starting role in recent weeks. In an interview with reporters this week, Macdonald said he’s had to have frank conversations about their role and playing time last week. And he’s backed it up in recent weeks with personnel changes, like Colson starting over Hill-Green at inside linebacker and D.J.

— The emphasis all week in practice for the Michigan football team centered around Adrian Martinez. The dual-threat Nebraska quarterback posed plenty of challenges for a surging Wolverines defense — with his arm, his legs and play-making ability. “In practice all week, every single day, we practiced punching at the ball,” said Hawkins, who had five tackles and one for a loss. Both turnovers resulted in scoring drives for the Wolverines, a pair of field goals that proved to be the difference. Thanks to Hawkins and his turnover-forcing play, an “incredible play” head coach Jim Harbaugh would later say, they weren’t able to get another.

Chaos reigned supreme on Saturday in Michigan’s 47-14 win over Western Michigan, a game in which the Wolverines flashed multiple different looks, fronts and coverages under their first-year defensive coordinator. “We needed to show some different looks; we needed to disguise some coverages. With Macdonald, a former assistant coach with the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, disguises and different looks were the name of the game. Instead, Michigan now has to worry about opponents over the middle — an area Western Michigan took advantage of early. Western Michigan had very little film to work with ahead of time — giving Michigan an inherent advantage with its defense.

Michigan will soon get a chance to accomplish something it failed to do last season.

Those who follow Michigan football have a good idea of what to expect from players like running back Hassan Haskins and defensive end Aidan Hutchinson in 2021. He’s smart, he’s strong, he’s tough, he’s athletic. “It’s been a long process,” Michigan defensive line coach Shaun Nua said on Wednesday of Smith’s path to being a potential contributor. The junior got his weight back up to around 320 pounds to play on the interior of the defensive line. More Michigan football content:Western Michigan, led by most efficient returning QB in country, visits Michigan for openerMichigan’s new defensive scheme ‘a really good change,’ CB Vincent Gray saysProven legs and intriguing returners: Michigan football special teams previewMichigan football plans to correct Josh Gattis’ biggest regret this fall

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — If Mazi Smith looks a little bigger these days, well, it’s because he is. The 6-foot-3 junior defensive lineman is up to 318 pounds (he’s listed at 326) in anticipation of a more familiar role as the nose tackle in Michigan’s new defensive scheme. Smith was 320 pounds when he arrived on campus from Grand Rapids in January 2019, but was asked to slim down in order to fit Don Brown’s aggressive, blitz-heavy system. This season, the Wolverines are expected to field a defensive line that includes the 6-foot-4, 310-pound Chris Hinton, 6-foot-3, 325-pound Donovan Jeter, and Smith. “It’s been a long process,” Michigan defensive line coach Shaun Nua said.

While Donovan Jeter was the offseason darling in recent years, this year the scuttlebutt this spring and summer has surrounded junior Mazi Smith. Earlier this summer, Michigan defensive line coach Shaun Nua said Smith is “the guy who stood out a lot” among the team’s group of returning tackles. But when they opt for a three-man look, Smith is a prime candidate to help plug up the middle. “Mazi Smith has really asserted himself through spring ball and this summer cycle,” head coach Jim Harbaugh said. That set up a season of opportunity last fall, with Smith working his way into games during Michigan’s disappointing 2-4 schedule.

DETROIT — With so many unknowns with the Michigan defense this fall, here is what the coaching staff does. Michigan hired first-year defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald in January, ushering in a new era and new scheme. More: Jim Harbaugh rejuvenated by younger, ‘hungry and humble’ coaching staff“It’s a little different,” Nua said, “I mean, it’s just a different scheme (with) different things that you’re asking them to look for. It’s been really, really fun.”Elsewhere along the defensive line, junior tackle Chris Hinton is expected to fill a starting role this fall. In addition to Macdonald, Michigan also hired new assistants this season at linebacker (George Helow), safety (Ron Bellamy) and cornerback (Maurice Linguist, then Steve Clinkscale).

Michigan, likely nearly every other program, has already began building its 2022 class. More than 20 prospects have already scheduled visits to Michigan next month, and more are expected to as June gets closer. With that said, now is a good time to look at the Wolverines’ biggest needs in the 2022 class. As far as 2022 recruiting, five-star Walter Nolen, from Cordova, Tennessee, is the top target who could potentially make an immediate impact. Michigan has one commit in 2022 in three-star Connor Jones, but it might take time for Sherrone Moore to establish a foothold recruiting a different position.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – There are 25 players on the Michigan football roster who received scholarship offers from Minnesota during their recruiting processes. TE Erick AllRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. OL Karsen BarnhartRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. HenningRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. DL Luiji VilainRecruiting profile: 4-star, No.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Which pair of Michigan football players who share a jersey number will unite to be the most valuable this season? This year’s roster, with the new rule in place, has 45 duos who will wear the same jersey number. Some of the Michigan jersey number duos contain players who will contribute on different sides of the ball. 1: Both players must wear a jersey number for the entire season for their stats to qualify in favor of said jersey number. Other eligible duosHere are all the other jersey number duos listed on the 2020 Michigan football roster, as of Oct. 16.

Unfortunately, the defensive line wasn’t a strength for Michigan a year ago. Even though the schedule is shorter this season, Michigan won’t avoid the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten. Look no further than the 2019 recruiting class to find the X-factors for this defensive line. Beyond Hinton and Smith, the rest of the defensive line depth is hard to project. Beyond Hutchinson and Paye, the defensive line could very well be a weakness for Michigan, and that would be a crippling blow to a young defense.

Slowly but surely, depth is beginning to form along Michigan’s defensive line. On the outside, names such as Luiji Vilain and David Ojabo have been discussed, as has Taylor Upshaw, a little-known redshirt sophomore who’s appeared in just six games for the Wolverines over the past two seasons. “But Taylor Upshaw has shown a lot of improvement from last year. Vilain, healthy again after injuries hampered in 2017 and 2018, is expected to see more playing time along the end. “I think for the D-end depth, it’s been really great because Taylor Upshaw has been making strides to be a strong 2,” Paye told reporters earlier this month.

Head Coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines watches his team warm up before a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The University of Michigan updated its online football roster Monday, revealing numbers for 25 true freshmen who were members of the 2019 recruiting class that ranked No. Here are the jersey numbers for the 25 scholarship players, according to the team's official website:3. RB Zach Charbonnet30. OL Zach Carpenter58.