Michigan Football: Defensive Tackle a Major Concern as Spring Practice Looms

For the Michigan Wolverines, the loss of both starting defensive tackles is discouraging. Finding their replacements could be even worse.

Add the graduation of end/tackle Ryan Van Bergen to the equation, and Michigan appears to be in for quite a challenge as spring practice approaches. 

At first glance, Will Campbell will take over for Martin at nose tackle, but his Michigan career has basically been a bust.

A heralded 5-star recruit from Detroit Cass Tech, Campbell struggled at offensive and defensive tackle under Rich Rodriguez.

When Brady Hoke arrived, Campbell was expected to get his act together and win the starting defensive tackle position. When that didn't pan out,  the 6'5", 322-pounder could only muster a total of 14 tackles and two sacks in a reserve role.

Equally troubling is the other tackle position, where Quinton Washington is the only Wolverine with any experience. But one could hardly call one tackle and no starts experience.

Sure, we could go through the defensive depth chart and come up with names like Chris Rock, Chris Eddins, Richard Ash and Kenny Wilkins, but maybe it's time to go in another direction.

Probably the easiest position for a freshman to play is defensive tackle. If you would have seen 6'3", 320-pound Ondre Pipkins race around the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, you might envision him starting for the Wolverines in 2012.

Michigan's other defensive tackle commit is Detroit Catholic Central's Matt Godin, a 6'6", 265-pound Detroit Free Press Dream Team member.

Godin is slightly undersized to play tackle in the Big Ten, but at 6'6", he could definitely add 15 pounds by the fall. 

Looking over to the offensive side of the ball, there are definitely a few candidates who could move to defensive tackle.

Names like Graham Glasgow (6'6", 314 lbs) and Kristian Mateus (6'7", 285 lbs) are intriguing, but commits Ben Braden (OT) and A.J. Williams (TE) could also make the move.

Braden (6'6", 319 lbs), another Free Press Dream Team member, was a hockey player until his sophomore year, so moving across the line of scrimmage shouldn't be a problem.

Williams (6'6'', 275 lbs) has been mentioned at either tight end or offensive tackle. Tossing in a third position shouldn't upset the apple cart.

Now assuming 5-star Kyle Kalis can step into the starting right tackle position, there's one more player you could move to over to defense. He's Chris Bryant, a 6'6" 319-pounder who should compete for playing time at offensive guard.

Without thinking this is too radical, imagine a defensive line of Craig Roh, Ondre Pipkins, Chris Bryant and Jibreel Black.

Wouldn't that be fearsome?