Josiah Stewart and Derrick Moore lead Michigan’s edge rushers into the 2024 football season

With less than two weeks to go before Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis, excitement is building for the 2024 college football season. Fall camps across the country are upon us, and there are now less than 50 days until Michigan football’s season opener against Fresno State on August 31.

After arguably the best season in program history, the Wolverines bring another full roster into 2024 with “Team 145.” In preparation for next year, it’s a good time to break down each of the Wolverines’ position groups with “One thing I like”, “One thing I don’t do” And “One thing to keep an eye on”. Next come the guys who like to put their ears back and attack the quarterback — Edge striker

As well as Jaylen Harrell And Braiden McGregor were there as starters last year, the duo Josiah Stewart And Derrick Moore could be even better on the edge. Stewart and Moore had the second and third most sacks on the team last season despite playing behind the two guys mentioned above, and now they’re expected to get the lion’s share of snaps as defensive ends this season. Both guys are seasoned veterans who played a lot of snaps and in big moments last season. Stewart is a lean, wiry athlete who excels at beating offensive tackles off the ball and rushing the quarterback with speed. Moore is a bigger guy who can overpower blockers. I like the diversity of both athletes and the different skill sets they bring. I have little doubt that Michigan’s starting defensive ends will be excellent again in 2024.

This has been a theme in many of my position discussions, but once again it’s the concern about depth that makes me wary. Harrell and McGregor were very good players, and it’s always difficult to replace guys like that. That’s important to acknowledge, however, the Wolverines have produced edge rushers at a ridiculous rate for most of Jim Harbaugh’s tenure. The next player to step up could be a redshirt junior. TJ typewho has been patiently waiting for his turn in Ann Arbor. Guy appeared in nine games for the Wolverines last year as a defensive end and is expected to be the third man in the rotation. Names to watch after Guy include redshirt juniors Kechaun Bennett And Tyler McLaurin.

Michigan was one of the best programs in the country during the Jim Harbaugh era when it came to developing edge rushers: Aidan Hutchinson, David Ojabo, Kwity Paye, Rashan Gary, Josh Uche… the list is endless. We expect the Wolverines’ offensive line to continue to excel under Sherrone Moore, but the head coach can’t afford to have slip-ups in the trenches on the other side of the ball. Moore hired former Western Michigan defensive coordinator Lou Espisito as Michigan’s new defensive line coach (after previous hire Greg Scruggs resigned following an OWI arrest). As a new era begins under a new regime, can Michigan continue to be an edge rusher factory?

This article is part of a series that examines each position group on Michigan Football’s 2024 roster. You can find the other position groups that Michigan Wolverines on SI has already been discussed here: (quarterback, Back Race, Offensive line, Close finish, Defence line)

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