In Don Brown’s five years as Michigan’s defensive coordinator, the “Viper” position was an integral component of the Wolverines’ scheme.
Brown asked a lot of the viper -- a hybrid position that encompasses the role of safety, linebacker and pass rusher. A position popularized by Heisman Trophy finalist Jabrill Peppers in 2016 before another future NFL draft pick, Khaleke Hudson, took over the role the following season.
But with former Baltimore Ravens assistant Mike Macdonald taking over as defensive coordinator this offseason, the viper role has been eliminated.
With the Wolverines most likely moving to a 3-4 base defense, their recruiting philosophy is beginning to reflect that.
Since June 25, Michigan has added three commits who will play in its front seven, and there is a common theme with all of them: versatility.
Jacksonville Bartram Trail three-star linebacker Micah Pollard was the latest to announce his verbal pledge on Monday. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder was recruited to play the “BUCK” linebacker position -- a hybrid linebacker/defensive end role.
Traditionally, a BUCK will line up off the ball in an outside linebacker spot in a 3-man front but will have their hand in the dirt as a defensive end in a 4-man front.
“I think they want to really overhaul the linebacker room, especially the edge,” Brice Marich of the Michigan Insider told MLive. “The last defensive staff, the big position was Viper. Everyone they offered, it was like, ‘Oh, you’re a Viper. You can play Viper. Now, they’re looking at the edge as like the sexy new thing, like a BUCK. And so Michigan’s really selling it and they’re getting results.
“They want guys that are not pigeonholed. They want guys that you can shift around, move around and play -- especially in a 3-4 -- you’re gonna have guys sometimes in different formations where you’re gonna have a guy come down and maybe do a 4-3 or maybe you’re gonna have them stand up for the 3-4. You need that versatility.”
Gaither (Fla.) four-star edge Mario Eugenio, who committed to Michigan on July 5, also fits that bill.
The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder has recorded 30 sacks over the past two seasons but also can drop back in coverage. Lawndale (Calif.) Leuzinger three-star linebacker Kevonte Henry, who committed June 25, is more of a natural pass-rusher but can also offer some versatility.
“Mike Macdonald has been telling guys about Matt Judon (former Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker),” Marich said. “That’s kind of the vision of what they want.”
“If teams are running a certain thing, I think with Mike McDonald, one of the traits I remember talking about with people is, he’s very good at adapting. He wants to have several tools in his toolbox. If some team is running a certain thing, he wants to be able to switch it up. With the old defensive staff, that was something I feel like they struggled with at times.”
While Michigan has shored up its defensive end/linebacker positions in the 2022 class, it still is looking to add more beef inside. Big nose tackles who can clog the middle and demand double teams will be crucial in Macdonald’s new scheme.
River Rouge 6-foot-5, 275-pound three-star defensive tackle is the only interior lineman pledged in the 2022 class so far, but the Wolverines are in the mix for several others, including Tennessee five-star Walter Nolen.
The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder included the Wolverines in his top five released Friday.
“He could suit up for Michigan today and probably start,” Marich said. “He’s that good.”
Michigan also is high on three-star Deone Walker, a 6-foot-6, 340-pounder from Detroit Cass Tech who named the Wolverines in his top five Wednesday, and Kenneth Grant, a 6-foot-4, 335-pounder from Indiana who does not yet have a Composite ranking.
Michigan currently has 16 commits in its class, which ranks No. 10 nationally and No. 3 in the Big Ten.
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