Hard to go wrong with a Don Brown linebacker. Even more broadly, for as maligned as the offense was last year, the defense was aces even despite having all the odds against them -- (technically) returned 1-of-11 starters and was still a Top 5 unit nationally.
This year, they return 9-of-11 and we're not noticing a weakness by position or v. pass or run. There are no guarantees, but historic defensive seasons often rise from a plot like this.
I saw in a vlog a few weeks ago that one of the PFF guys selected the conference's 11 best defenders and 8 were from Michigan. That can't be absolutely true, but +/- 2 or 3 and I would veer into easier agreement.
Not that I think we need that much top talent to win on D, since -- getting back to the guy who prompted my post ... Don Brown is a national treasure.
