Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale forecast roster turnover, to support his future at Wolverine.

Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale will have his first chance to watch his new team in action on Monday when spring training gets underway in Ann Arbor.

Despite the fact that 18 Wolverines have been invited to the 2024 NFL Combine, Miichigan’s roster will undergo a significant upheaval, but Martindale is optimistic that UM will play another tough, aggressive defense this autumn. Martindale discussed Michigan’s defense’s advantages and the reasons he believes the unit will succeed in the future, even with the inevitable growing pains that come with roster turnover, to support his forecast.

“I believe it was evident, particularly at the close of the previous year, that everyone was in agreement,” Martindale remarked. “The communication was excellent, and it was evident that they were genuinely cooperating and having fun. That portion of it, which was really a walkthrough, was what I witnessed yesterday. The aspect that most interests me is the communication portion.

Maintaining open lines of communication throughout the season helped Michigan win the National Championship, and as offenses change and evolve, it will be even more important to make sure that every player is aware of their responsibilities. Fortunately, Martindale already knows of at least one leader he can rely on to follow his instructions.

Martindale said, “Those are the kind of players we have here.” Martindale remarked, “Rod Moore is the safety that—and I’m not talking play-wise or anything else.” “Courageous, knowledgeable about football, and all that. I’ve coached some of the smartest safeties I’ve ever seen, and he reminds me of Eric Weddle. I informed Weddle about it over the phone.

Moore, a two-time All-Big Ten selection, has made 28 starts for Michigan thus far in his career and has witnessed the defense turn the Wolverines from College Football Finalists to Champions. Michigan’s success this fall will be greatly influenced by Moore’s intoxicating, perceptive observations from the field, but he is not the only one who can lead.

Martindale declared, “Everyone has a voice in this defense.” If you will, each person is an individual stockholder. I believe that you begin to die the day you no longer wish to learn anything. Not yet ready to take that action.

Despite having over 20 years of NFL coaching experience, Martindale also brings a spirit of progress and growth to Ann Arbor that should be felt across the Michigan program. Even though Martindale has a lot of experience, he never acts haughty, and it’s because of this cool-headedness that he encourages his players to share their thoughts and opinions at team meetings.

The UM defensive coordinator, Martindale, also mentioned Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant as two of the cornerstones of his defense elsewhere in his press conference. Graham and Grant, two run-stuffing tackles who hope to lead the Wolverines’ defensive front in 2024, are named No. 1 and No. 6 returning defensive tackles in the country, respectively, by Pro Football Focus.