Jay Hill says Michigan linebackers have become a defensive strength

Back in the spring, Michigan football head coach Kyle Whittingham said his biggest concerns were the inexperience at the linebacker position and the depth at cornerback. Well, more than halfway into fall camp, it appears that both problems are in the process of being solved.

On Thursday, Wolverines defensive coordinator Jay Hill said that if there's one position group that's improved the most, it's probably linebacker, and behind that, he's feeling like he's starting to see solid depth develop at cornerback behind the four usual suspects who are starting caliber.

“Well, probably linebacker," Hill said. "There's, like I say, there's really five or six guys that I feel comfortable playing in games. I'd like to see some of those guys just completely cement themselves as the starter, but that's a good problem that we have right now. That and then the battles at that fifth, sixth, seventh corner and safety spots, those guys need to really -- someone needs to step up out of those groups and solidify themselves in those roles, five, six, seven at those, in the DB spots.”

So why has the linebacker position managed to improve so greatly? Hill says he just sees steady development in the unit, and feels like they probably have up to six players (likely Nathaniel Staehling, Chase Taylor, Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, Troy Bowles, Max Alford, and Aisea Moa) who are playing at a high level in fall camp.

“I think we're getting better every day," Hill said. "That comes from knowledge of the scheme, the culture, the run of the football, the hitting, the tackling. I just think we're getting better every day. You ask about the linebacker group, I think that group continues to solidify themselves every day. There are six right now that I think we can win with, and it continues to be a battle as to who's in there with the ones and who's in with the twos. But for the most part, I see that group continue to elevate.”

While Chase Taylor has had a lot of the hype since spring, North Dakota State transfer Nathaniel Staehling is starting to put his own stamp on things in fall camp. Easily the most experienced linebacker of the bunch, Hill says it's evident that he's capable; it's just a question of him acclimating to the Power Four after having been in the FCS.

“Yeah, Nathaniel's doing a really good job," Hill said. "You see a player that's played a lot of college football. He does a good job staying square, does a good job being physical, knows his assignments. He's really picked up the defense fast, so I'm excited about his future and what he's doing.”

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Jay Hill says Michigan linebackers have become a defensive strength