Michigan has high hopes for new defensive line

Ann Arbor — Early Friday, Michigan’s four defensive line starters last season — Taco Charlton, Chris Wormley, Ryan Glasgow and Matt Godin — participated in Pro Day in preparation for the NFL Draft.

That’s obviously a lot of talent and experience to replace.

But Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown isn’t sweating it. In fact, he’s pretty pleased considering the penciled-in defensive line starters, Maurice Hurst, Bryan Mone, Rashan Gary and Chase Winovich, were a significant part of the rotation last fall.

Wormley said he thinks this group could be more athletic than the starters last year. Brown does not disagree.

“With Rashan and Mo Hurst, I have to tilt my head back and think for a minute,” Brown said Friday night after the Wolverines’ first spring practice. “I don’t know, I’m not sure there’s a better tandem, anchor tackles in the country.”

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Hurst, who considered leaving early for the NFL and said he is happy with his decision to stay at Michigan, was told what Brown said and seemed to embrace the high praise.

“I think we’ll have a lot of fun messing with offensive linemen and getting after it,” Hurst said. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun to be on the same side as him (Gary). I’m really excited.”

Michigan recently posted some “spring combine” numbers and Gary reportedly ran a 4.57 40-yard dash. Gary is extremely agile, but Hurst laughed and suggested the time might have been tweaked a bit.