2024 Spring Football Preview: Defensive Line

Tag: Dominic Nichols


18Mar 2024
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2024 Spring Football Preview: Defensive Line

Kenneth Grant (#78, image via Yahoo!)

2023 Starters: OLB Jaylen Harrell, DT Mason Graham, DT Kris Jenkins, DE Braiden McGregor
Losses: Reece Atteberry (transfer), Cam Goode (NFL), Harrell (NFL), McGregor (NFL)
Returning players: Josaiah Stewart (Sr.), Kechaun Bennett (RS Jr.), Rayshaun Benny (RS Jr.), T.J. Guy (RS Jr.), Ike Iwunnah (RS Jr.), Tyler McLaurin (RS Jr.), Graham (Jr.), Grant (Jr.), Derrick Moore (Jr.), Alessandro Lorenzetti (RS So.), Breeon Ishmail (So.), Cameron Brandt (So.), Roderick Pierce (So.), Brooks Bahr (RS Fr.), Enow Etta (RS Fr.), Aymeric Koumba (RS Fr.)
Newcomer: DE Dominic Nichols (Fr.)
Projected starters: OLB Stewart, DT Graham, DT Grant, DE Moore

Michigan had an excellent defensive line in 2023, and it might have been the best position group on the national championship squad. The biggest differential in the national championship game against Washington was Michigan’s defensive line against the offensive line of the Huskies. Washington had a couple potential high draft picks in that group, and the Wolverines tossed them around like rag dolls.

Whereas Michigan had dynamic edge rushers in 2021 with David Ojabo and Aidan Hutchinson, the interior of the defensive line has been the strength the past two years. That should be the case once again in 2024, though I’m expecting a little more pass rush from the edge guys this season. Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant are entrenched as the starters at defensive tackle, and they should be the #1 defensive tackle combo in the nation. Grant is 6’3″ and 340 pounds but is fast enough to chase down Penn State running backs from behind. Graham is 6’4″, 310 and plays with both explosion and technique.

Michigan needs someone to emerge from the backup ranks, as starter Kris Jenkins, Jr. and frequently used backup Cam Goode have both moved on. Rayshaun Benny broke his foot late in the season, too, and will probably not be full strength until the fall. This spring look for Roderick Pierce to get some heavy rotation after playing a decent amount as the fourth nose tackle a year ago. Ike Iwunnah is a fourth-year player who has yet to see the field, so it’s tough to see him breaking out at this point, and Alessandro Lorenzetti is another player with decent size (6’5″, 301) who has yet to see the field. Michigan will either have to play one of those inexperienced older guys or give a shot to some young guys who really needed to bulk up from “strongside defensive end” vibes to playing tackle, such as Cameron Brandt or Brooks Bahr.

On the edges, Josaiah Stewart – who spent his first two seasons at Coastal Carolina – and Derrick Moore seem like very good bets to start. Stewart should step in capably for Harrell, and Moore should slide in smoothly for McGregor. They both rotated heavily last year and received a ton of playing time, and Stewart in particular showed a lot of growth throughout the year as he adjusted to playing in the Big Ten.

Once again, the big questions come from the backup ranks. Who will step up to rotate into the game frequently? And will anyone turn into an elite pass rusher? T.J. Guy is a fourth-year player with a good bit of experience, and he could be a solid backup option. He’s probably not a game-changer at this point, so the guys fans really want to see are the likes of Breeon Ishmail and Enow Etta. Both had excellent potential coming out of high school, and Etta was a highly valued recruit who was absolutely dominant in high school (20+ sacks in each of his final two seasons) but played against inferior competition.

Aymeric Koumba is a second-year Frenchman, and Dominic Nichols is an early enrollee freshman. Both have potential but it seems a little early for them to make much of an impact.

25Jun 2023
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Dominic Nichols, Wolverine

Ijamsville (MD) Oakdale defensive end Dominic Nichols

Ijamsville (MD) Oakdale defensive end Dominic Nichols committed to Michigan on Sunday afternoon. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Penn State, and Wisconsin, among others.

Nichols is listed on 247 Sports at 6’5″ and 252 lbs.

RANKINGS
ESPN: 3-star, 79 grade, #39 DE
On3: 4-star, 90 grade, #28 EDGE
Rivals: 3-star, 5.7 grade, #37 SDE
247 Sports: 3-star, 89 grade, #30 EDGE

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7Jun 2023
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Visitors: June 9-11, 2023

St. Louis (MO) University wide receiver Ryan Wingo (image via 247 Sports)

2024

Manuel Beigel – DT – Wallingford (CT) Choate Rosemary Hall: Beigel is an international prospect from Germany who has been committed to Michigan since July of 2022. He has since picked up offers from some other big-time programs like Georgia, Penn State, and Texas A&M, among others. This is his official visit.

Boo Carter – ATH – Cleveland (TN) Bradley Central: Carter is a 5’10”, 184-pounder with offers from Michigan, Tennessee, and a bunch of others . . . but it seems to be a two-horse race between the Wolverines and the Volunteers. He’s a 4-star, the #20 athlete, and #240 overall. This is his official visit.

Ondre Evans – CB – Nasvhille (TN) CPA: Evans is a 6’0″, 190 lb. prospect with offers from Arkansas, Michigan, North Carolina State, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and others. He’s a 4-star, the #30 cornerback, and #340 overall. This is his official visit.

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15May 2023
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2024 Recruiting Update: May 15, 2023

Orlando (FL) Edgewater CB Cai Bates (image via Twitter)

COMMITMENT

Pittsburgh (PA) Central Catholic linebacker Cole Sullivan committed to Michigan (LINK).

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2024

Orlando (FL) Edgewater cornerback Cai Bates was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’1″, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida, LSU, Ohio State, and Penn State, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #18 cornerback, and #223 overall. As a junior in 2022, he made 7 pass breakups and 4 interceptions, including 3 in one game. The last Michigan player signed from Edgewater was wide receiver Greg Mathews in the class of 2006.

CRYSTAL BALL UPDATES

The following 2024 recruits have received 247 Sports crystal balls in favor of Michigan over the last week:

  • Belleville (MI) Belleville linebacker Jeremiah Beasley (4-star, #25 LB, #265 overall) from Sam Webb
  • Ijamsville (MD) Oakdale defensive end Dominic Nichols (4-star, #31 edge, #423 overall) from Steve Lorenz
  • Chicago (IL) Kenwood wide receiver I’Marion Stewart (4-star, #26 ATH, #315 overall) from Allen Trieu
12Apr 2023
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Visitors: April 14-16, 2023

Yelm (WA) Yelm linebacker Brayden Platt (image via Tacoma News Tribune)

2024

Kyan McDonald – S – Seattle (WA) O’Dea: McDonald is a 6’0″, 175 lb. prospect with offers from Cal, Michigan, Oregon, Washington, and others. He’s a 4-star, the #34 safety, and #403 overall. He and the rest of the crew from Washington (see below) are visiting in the middle of the week.

Dominic Nichols – DE – Ijamsville (MD) Oakdale: Nichols is a 6’4″, 235-pounder with offers from Maryland, Michigan, Ole Miss, Penn State, and others. He’s a 3-star, the #34 edge, and #442 overall. He’s visiting on April 10.

Brayden Platt – LB – Yelm (WA) Yelm: Platt is a 6’2″, 240 lb. prospect with offers from Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #25 linebacker, and #283 overall.

Bryce Young – DT – Charlotte (NC) Christian: Young is a 6’5″, 240-pounder with offers from Duke, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Penn State, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #36 defensive lineman, and #350 overall. He’s the son of former Notre Dame and NFL defensive tackle Bryant Young.

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