Michigan Wolverines

Michigan Football 2016 Position Preview: Safety Net

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines safety Dymonte Thomas (25) receives congratulations from Michigan Wolverines defensive end Taco Charlton (33) in the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Senior free safety Dymonte Thomas and strong safety Delano Hill look set for a solid campaign for Michigan football this season.

With Jabrill Peppers moving to linebacker, the safeties have a more fluid situation for Michigan football than cornerbacks do.

It is not yet known exactly what responsibilities Peppers will have at linebacker, nor is it known if he will see any action at safety under defensive coordinator Don Brown’s new scheme. Delano Hill and Dymonte Thomas will get most of the playing time, barring injury.

Much like last year, it is expected that Michigan will play a lot of man coverage with an aggressive blitz package. That has certainly been the M.O. of “Doctor Blitz” Don Brown in previous stops, including one of the nation’s top defenses at Boston College in 2015. This will put a lot of pressure on the safety position as they are likely to find themselves isolated in coverage over the middle against tight ends, running backs, and slot receivers.

Compare that to a traditional Tampa Two defense, where the safeties are asked to provide zone coverage downfield in halves from the sideline in. Man coverage, blitzing the strong safety, and leaving the free safety on an island over the top are more demanding ideas that force the safeties to recognize formations and receiver routes quickly.

Michigan was not good last year against the spread offense. Breaking in an entirely new linebacking corps is not the best situation to cure those ills. It is harder to play man coverage against four- and five-receiver sets. Getting the proper depth in linebacker drops is important to pass coverage schemes, which is a concern with an untested unit.

Hill and Thomas will be tested shallow and deep. Another quality season is a necessity for Michigan to have the vaunted defense that is expected.

Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines safety Delano Hill (44) greets fans before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Delano Hill, strong safety

A senior out of Detroit Cass Tech, Delano Hill has shown consistent improvement in his time at Michiga. Hill played in six games in 2014 as a sophomore before making the jump to full-time starter last year. His 46 tackles were good for No. 5 on the team.

The best quality in Hill is his ability to show up when the team is struggling. Hill’s most important game was against Indiana where he had 10 tackles in a near upset of Michigan. No Wolverine had more in Bloomington.

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We rightly laud quarterbacks who excel in pressure situations. Joe Montana made a career out of being lionized for his ability to command a tense final drive, racing against the clock for a win. Poor play is excused earlier in the game for performance when the team requires it.

Defensive positions rarely get the same treatment, but it is just as important. Showing up on tape during one of your team’s worst defensive performances is invaluable. Being the guy who puts the weight of a bad week on his shoulders makes Hill a special player. It also makes him a natural for a demanding position like strong safety. His effort is always there, and he will make plays from sideline to sideline.

Hill’s younger brother has committed to the program as well. Avert Hill will be a freshman on the team this year. Maize and blue is a family tradition and it would be silly to think the elder Hill wasn’t helping Harbaugh’s staff make the pitch.

Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) is tackled by Michigan Wolverines safety Dymonte Thomas (25) at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Dymote Thomas, free safety

Dymote Thomas, playing free safety in 2015, was another defensive back who made large strides as a junior. He played in 10 games last year, increasing his playing time as the year went on. With Peppers injured in the Citrus Bowl, Thomas stepped into the secondary ably. He was No. 3 on the team in pass deflections with seven.

Thomas has bounced around in his career, playing corner, nickelback and linebacker before finding a home at free safety. He is a survivor willing to do what is necessary to get on the field. It is fitting that he is the son of a Marine because he will be tasked with a lot of responsibility at his position. It is a fair assumption that Thomas will rise to the occasion in whatever challenge Brown gives him.

The Supporting Cast

Peppers would be the obvious choice to see playing time at safety, outside of Hill and Thomas. His role as hybrid linebacker is best defined when combating the spread offense.

When Michigan faces more traditional pro style offenses such as Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan State it would not be surprising to see Peppers get some snaps in a more traditional role.

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