Walking into Ann Arbor, Kyle Whittingham counted on his former staff from the Utah Utes. Out of them, Jay Hill joined Whittingham at the University of Michigan as the defensive coordinator. Former Michigan offensive lineman Jon Jansen, an All-American, shared his take on how Hill could help Michigan get rid of a problem. 

“Jay Hill, defensive quarter said they should have two elite defensive tackles, Trey Pierce and Enow Etta,” said Jansen on the May 5th episode of the MGoBlue Podcast. “I'm not expecting those guys to have high sack numbers, but they are going to collapse the pocket. So, the quarterback doesn't have any room to step up.”

Michigan recorded only 28 sacks during the 2025 season, which is not an elite total for a major defensive program. When it comes to the defensive statistics, the Wolverines ranked 58th in sacks last season.

Only Derrick Moore recorded 10 sacks while the rest of the defensive front lacked production. 

Michigan recorded zero sacks against the Ohio State Buckeyes, while the Buckeyes sacked Bryce Underwood, resulting in a 27-9 loss.

Jansen is not holding high expectations from Etta and Pierce, who racked up 0.5 and zero sacks, respectively. However, even though Hill’s defensive weapons do not post huge sack totals, their size and power can help collapse the pocket from the middle. 

This would force quarterbacks out of their comfort zone and prevent them from stepping up to make clean throws. Another factor that will come into play is Hill’s scheme and playcalling. 

Hill is known for using aggressive defensive strategies, including blitzes and disguised pressure packages. If the defensive line improves, he can send linebackers and defensive backs after the quarterback more often without putting too much pressure on the secondary.

Jay Hill’s New Scheme in Ann Arbor

Hill is replacing Wink Martindale, who was in charge of Michigan’s defense for the past two seasons. The new coach is expected to bring a new defensive approach, that is, the 4-3 base scheme. 

Both Jesse Minter’s 2023 defense and Martindale’s units in 2024 and 2025 regularly relied on three cornerbacks on the field. Despite limited linebacker depth, the Wolverines return a talented secondary. So, Hill has already suggested the team will continue using a slot corner this season.

“I like Zeke Berry at nickel, I like Smith Snowden at nickel,” Hill said. “We’ll try to find the matchup that we can get the best three or four corners on the field.”

Hill is bringing his own experience of playing as a cornerback when Whittingham was the Utes’ defensive coordinator from 1998-99. Later on, between 2014 and 2022, he led Weber State University to a 68-39 record. The new Michigan head coach is already confident about his addition.  

“Jay Hill is a great leader and one of the sharpest defensive minds in the game,” Whittingham said in the statement. 

So, Michigan’s defensive line appears to be in good hands. Can they improve after struggling to consistently pressure quarterbacks last season, finishing with a 6.17 percent sack rate that ranked 12th in the Big Ten? Share your thoughts. 

Read more at Michigan Football Community.

Written by

Soheli Tarafdar

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar