It’s easy to understand why Michigan fans have spent much of the offseason uneasy about the linebacker position. A unit that once felt deep and dependable suddenly looked alarmingly thin, and to some, it might still appear Michigan has more questions than answers in the middle of the defense.
But that fear ignores two important realities — Michigan hasn’t had any trouble addressing needs despite missing on a couple bigger swings, and defensive coordinator Jay Hill’s defense doesn’t ask linebackers to play the same way Michigan has in recent years.
Hill’s scheme is built on clarity and aggression. Linebackers aren’t asked to hesitate, read off chaos or fill gaps on the fly. They’re given defined responsibilities and coached to attack them decisively. There’s no ambiguity about who belongs where, and no hiding behind vague assignments on film.
Structurally, Hill leans toward a 4-3 when offenses bring size onto the field. Two tight ends or a fullback usually means three linebackers. Spread looks can pull an extra defensive back onto the field, but linebackers remain a centerpiece, not an afterthought.
Meaning, this defense isn’t designed to mask weakness at the position — it’s designed to maximize skillset.
That’s why Michigan’s portal approach matters. The Wolverines didn’t just add bodies, they’ve added fits. Nathaniel Staehling arrives from North Dakota State as exactly the kind of linebacker Hill has had success with in the past. He’s disciplined against the run, a sure tackler and comfortable in coverage. He’s played meaningful snaps in big moments and brings a steady, no-nonsense profile to a room that needed one.
Additions like Aisea Moa and Max Alford bring something just as valuable: familiarity. Both have previously played under Hill at BYU, already know the language of the defense and what is expected. That alone gives both immediate utility, even if the stat sheet doesn’t jump off the page.
Add in returning players like Troy Bowles, Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng and Chase Taylor — all of whom logged meaningful snaps for the Wolverines last season — and the room starts to look functional rather than empty.
Just as important is what’s happening up front. Hill’s defenses are built to force offenses into one-dimensional football. Defensive linemen eat blocks, clog gaps and let linebackers run free. When that structure holds, all the linebackers need to do is execute and be physical. That formula worked at BYU once the personnel settled, and there’s no reason it can’t translate at Michigan.
This isn’t a finished product. Keep in mind that depth charts aren’t finalized and mastery of this new system will undoubtedly take time. But under Hill, Michigan’s linebackers are being set up to play fast, hit hard and grow within a system that plays to their strengths.