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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 15: Jyaire Hill #20 of the Michigan Wolverines looks on against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Wrigley Field on November 15, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hirschuber/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Michigan’s defense is in an interesting position entering the 2026 season. Although the program has been synonymous with great defensive play for more than a decade, much of that has been due to great groups of defensive tackles and edge rushers that have lived in opposing backfields.
This year, however, might be different. The Wolverines enter the season with new defensive coordinator Jay Hill, who held the same position at BYU the last three seasons. Hill’s defenses have been great for the most part, and Michigan’s defense once again has great upside potential. But this time, it will need to be more reliant on the defensive backs to reach that ceiling.
Hill’s scheme is a base 4-2-5 look, meaning five defensive backs will be on the field most of the time. This isn’t too dissimilar from what the Wolverines have employed since 2021, but Hill’s defenses have had the defensive backs be the star of the show rather than the front seven.
Earlier this offseason, Hill himself likened his scheme to what Michigan employed in 2023 under Jesse Minter, a year where the defensive backs had elite talent and helped make up for a merely above-average pass rush. Furthermore, even though there will be mostly five defensive backs on the field, it’s more likely we’ll see them dropping into coverage more consistently to prevent big plays over the top as opposed to staying close to the line of scrimmage to defend the run and short passes. In other words, the use of the defensive backs promotes a style of play where the defense bends, but doesn’t break.
Something else that’s encouraging — Hill’s BYU defense led the nation in interceptions in 2024 with 22, and had 17 in 2025, tied for ninth-best in the country.
Michigan’s secondary has had its share of ups and downs the last two seasons, but guys like Zeke Berry and Jyaire Hill have gained some valuable experience in the process. Entering what will be the third year for each of them as starters, they’re poised to take off alongside a group of experienced and talented players under Jernaro Gilford, an experienced cornerbacks coach who worked under Hill at BYU.
INTERCEPTED
Jyaire Hill picks it off on No. 1 Ohio State's second play of the game.
: FOX pic.twitter.com/RBOvCs9LPN
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 29, 2025
Berry and Hill will be joined by Smith Snowden, a nickel who played his first three seasons at Utah. Snowden started 24 games during his time as a Ute and was highly productive in 2025 with 37 tackles, 11 pass breakups and two interceptions.
With those three at the top, Michigan should enter the year with one of the best starting corner combinations in the Big Ten. Some young guys will get into the mix as well, including junior Jo’Ziah Edmond, sophomore Shamari Earls and freshman Jamarion Vincent, an early enrollee who impressed many in the spring.
At safety, Michigan has plenty of possible combinations, but the biggest question will be how Rod Moore is at the start of the season. Moore had been one of the mainstays in Michigan’s defense from 2021-23, but he has largely missed the last two seasons with lingering knee issues after tearing his ACL in the spring of 2024. He’s back for his sixth year and will likely earn a starting nod if healthy, but what if he’s not?
Memphis transfer Chris Bracy seems to be the best bet to start, while sophomore Jordan Young might be the highest upside option. Young was one of the few young players from last year’s secondary who didn’t transfer out and was arguably the most important to keep. He saw his role increase later in the season and made a handful of key plays, including a fourth-quarter pass breakup against Northwestern.
Young will likely be able to get most of his reps by bouncing between safety and nickel, as can junior Mason Curtis, who’s known for his range and lankiness. He’d been someone that many fans expected to take a step forward in 2025, but ultimately didn’t see enough playing time to do so. The physical tools for him are still there to make an impact when called upon.
For all the flak Michigan’s secondary has caught the last two seasons, the group has all the pieces it needs to fully put the puzzle together in 2026. It has a defensive coordinator that’s made a living putting defensive backs in positions to take away big plays rather than making them do too much close to the line of scrimmage. And perhaps more importantly, it has the valuable experience that’s been building over the last two seasons despite some shaky performances.
The defense’s ceiling will be predicated on the defensive backs reaching new heights this fall, but the accumulated experience and new brain trust leading them are poised to make it happen.
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