Michigan Football Recruiting: Defenders That'll Bring Wolverines Big Ten Title

Michigan is bringing in a class of defenders that will bring the nasty style of play back to Ann Arbor. In turn, Big Ten championships will follow. 

Despite winning a BCS game in 2011, Michigan's defense lacked the overall punch needed to be an elite team. Fortunately for fans of the Wolverines, that is about the change. 

Ondre Pipkins, DT

This is the perfect example of a player whose numbers probably won't show how much of an impact he made in the big games. Pipkins will not only keep the blockers locked on him, but his size will also attract double-teams. 

When going against the kind of offenses that we usually see in the Big Ten, having your linebackers roaming around unfettered is the most important thing. Going against the spread offenses that we're going to see with Urban Meyer at Ohio State, free linebackers are essential. 

Pipkins will bring that. He is 6'2", 325 pounds, so some of the damage will come from him directly. But this is a signing whose impact will be judged more on what the defenders behind him do than anything else. 

Joe Bolden, LB

Bolden's Rivals profile compares him to Paul Posluszny, who is the perfect linebacker against both the spread and power offenses. 

Power offenses that run between the tackles are completely ineffective if the runner can't get through the initial wall of defenders. Bolden is the kind of linebacker that will bring those backs down on first contact. In turn, he will force the offenses into uncomfortable situations, like 3rd-and-longs. 

Against the spread offenses like ones that will be at Ohio State, you have to make tackles as well. Spread offenses are going to get yards against you, but you have to find a way to limit the big plays. That means that linebackers have to make tackles. That is the difference between allowing a lot of yards and allowing a lot of points. 

Tom Strobel, DE

A key against any style of offense will be to get to the quarterback and do so fast. Strobel is the man who can do that. 

As a defensive end, Strobel runs an impressive 4.8 40-yard dash, showing that he can get off the line quick. That is especially problematic for quarterbacks, as Strobel is 6'6". Even if they can get rid of the ball, opponents will have to find a way to get it over Strobel. 

At only 245 pounds, Strobel has room to beef up a little bit, which will come in time. But right now, he has the tools to cause havoc in Big Ten backfields. 

Michigan's full list of recruits found at Rivals.com.

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