Final 2024 Michigan football preseason position analysis: Safeties

Primer

What looked to be a thinning group when Rod Moore went down with an ACL tear in spring ball now looks to be the deepest position on the entire team. With Makari Paige and Quinten Johnson returning as graduates, the Wolverines have their two entrenched starters. Then, the question is who will rotate and when? Michigan brought in transfers in Wesley Walker (Tennessee) and Jaden Mangham (MSU), both of whom started at their previous schools. Brandyn Hillman enters year two and could have been the starter if it weren’t for the incoming transfers. And Zeke Berry has been cross-training at safety and nickel back.

Projected starters: Makari Paige, Quinten Johnson

Rotation: Rod Moore (injured, out indefinitely), Wesley Walker, Jaden Mangham, Brandyn Hillman, Zeke Berry (NB), Ja’Den McBurrows (NB)

Position outlook

We know who the starters are in Paige and Johnson, but the question more lies in will Michigan rotate early and often? It seems unlikely that Walker and Mangham transferred just to ride the bench, and they’ll likely see ample playing time. Moore could return sometime this season which crowds the rotation that much more — a quality problem to have. Hillman bided his time in his freshman year but should also see the field. Berry started one game at safety last year but is likely set at nickel with McBurrows backing him up.