Projecting the New Look Defense

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Base Defense: +/- 40% of defensive plays will be run out of some sort of "50" or 3-4-type of formation with a few different subs in play at a couple positions, particularly along the front line. A lot of guys will get the chance to rotate in so I included all the guys that I think can contribute in some fashion this season. The positions where only one guy is listed means that they will rarely, if ever, leave the field. They should be team leaders who won't be really challenged for their jobs at the top and they look like future NFL draft picks.

Edge: Aiden Hutchinson - A potential First Team All-Big Ten player and a first round draft pick next spring. He should flourish in the new system.

DL: Christopher Hinton - Could this former 5-Star recruit finally have a breakout year under the new defensive coaching staff? 

NT: Mazi Smith/Jordan Whittley - Loads of potential between Smith and Whittley but both also have a lot to prove. 

DL: Donovan Jeter/Julius Welschof - Jeter has size to play nose tackle and Welschof has the athleticism to be an edge player. They could help form a decent rotation on the line.

Edge: Taylor Upshaw/David Ojabo/Mike Morris - One of the most competitive spots on the team right now with three or four guys vying for the chance to start opposite Hutch.

Mike: Josh Ross/Kalel Mullings - Ross will be a leader but it could be hard to keep Mullings on the bench for much longer.

Will: Michael Barrett/Nikhai Hill-Green/Anthony Solomon - Barrett is a returning starter that could be a senior leader, but there are at least a couple other guys that look ready to play too.

Safety: Brad Hawkins/R.J. Moten - Hawkins could be a late round draft pick next spring but Moten looks like he has the athleticism to be an even higher pick some day.

Safety: Dax Hill - First Team All-Big Ten and definite NFL material.

Corner: Gemon Green - Improved every week of the season in 2020 and has become the team's top cover guy. He could end up being a mid-round draft pick or higher if he keeps on that trajectory. 

Corner: Vincent Gray/D.J. Turner II - Gray has a lot of nice qualities but he will be challenged a lot in camp.


Nickel Defense: The new defense will utilize more sub-packages, particularly the nickel defense. In fact, I am willing to bet that an extra defensive back in the lineup is something we see more than 50% of the time in 2021. The new coaches will look to scheme against spread teams and utilize a lot of emerging talent in the secondary, particularly at safety. We could see Moten a lot on the back end with Hill lining up in the nickel to utilize his coverage skills, though Turner II should see a lot of action as well. The front in this package will resemble more of a traditional four-man front and the edge rushers will even get their hands in the dirt sometimes. We might even see guys like Hutchinson or Morris slide inside to get more pass-rushers on the field in obvious passing situations. Of course, we will also see them drop into coverage in hopes of catching any opposing passers off guard. 

Edge: Hutch

DL: Hinton

DL: Welschof/Jeter/Smith/Whittley

Edge: Upshaw/Ojabo/Morris/Colson

Mike: Ross/Mullings

Will: Barrett/Hill-Green/Solomon

Nickel: Turner II/R.J. Moten

Safety: Hawkins

Safety: Hill

Corner: Green

Corner: Gray


Dime Defense: >10% of defensive snaps will involve six defensive players that specialize in pass coverage. 

Edge: Hutch

DT: Hinton/Whittley/Smith/Morris

Edge: Upshaw/Ojabo/Colson

Mike: Ross/Mullings

Will: Barrett/Hill-Green/Solomon

Nickel: Turner II

Dime: Moten

Safety: Hawkins

Safety: Hill

Corner: Green

Corner: Gray


Short Yardage and Goalline: Will only be used a few times a game when everybody is scrapping over a couple inches of field, particularly inside the ten yard line. This formation has the potential for a lot of beef up front with over 1,300 lbs of defensive linemen in the interior of the line. Good luck trying to drive through all that! The other thing I really like about this lineup is the versatility on the back end. While Green should be the number one cover guy, Hill has the ability to switch between safety or corner very easily, making this formation capable of stuffing all the running lanes and locking down wideouts with man coverage. Hawkins might not be the fastest guy but he is the best tackler back there. He still can mix it up a little bit in coverage, especially in a more confined area like the red zone, and he has experience as a nickel to cover inside receivers.

Edge: Hutch

DL: Hinton

DL: Smith

DL: Whitley

DL: Jeter

Edge: Upshaw/Ojabo/Morris

Mike: Ross/Mullings

Will: Barrett/Hill-Green/Solomon/Colson

Corner: Green

Safety: Hawkins

Safety: Hill

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