Jim Harbaugh on Michigan football edge who has ‘grown the most’
Michigan loses two elite pass rushes from its Big Ten championship defense, and they’ll be hard to replace. Aidan Hutchinson will be a top three NFL Draft pick soon, and David Ojabo would have been a first rounder had he not torn his Achilles Tendon.
But several of the U-M edges are stepping up, and there’s a blend of experience and youth to at least help make up for the losses. One — a veteran with a lot of experience.
“I’m really excited too about Taylor Upshaw,” Harbaugh said of the 6-4, 262-pound fifth-year senior. “He’s a strong, physical, tough, relentless type of player.”
He also still seems to have another gear. He notched eight tackles in a backup role last season, but 4.5 went for loss and he also registered 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. He’s grown as a run stopper and had a very good spring.
But the one who has “grown the most” on the edge, Harbaugh said — Jaylen Harrell. He played in 14 games with four starts at outside linebacker last year and notched 15 tackles, including 2.5 for loss and one quarterback hurry. He notched a big sack in the spring game and continues to impress.
“He saw a lot of action last year and was a starter at times. He’s kind of a true SAM linebacker in a 3-4 defense — athletic, can drop [into coverage], can rush the passer. He showed up as the one and only guy on the team to hit it out of the park in the classroom. He made the top 25 in the attack program which judges everything — football practice, academic, athletic performance.
“And then also, we reward a guy that can make all 15 practices. We had a record number this year. Just under 60. It’s been 30, 36 in the past. We had 61 that made all of them — not just being there for all in person, but participating in practice, over 10 plays in the competitive drills. Offense, defense scrimmaging type of practice plays.”
That speaks to the competition for playing time on this year’s squad. There’s depth at every position, and Harbaugh loves what he’s seen.
Guys like Harrell have helped keep Michigan hungry this spring.
“He was also on the winning special teams group,” Harbaugh continued. “He made all four of those, and he was the only guy to do it. There was a good number that got three out of those four, but only one four out of four, and that was Jaylen Harrell.”
Braiden McGregor elevated his game, too, Harbaugh said. Others, like Michigan redshirt frosh T.J. Guy, also impressed, including in the spring game.
“T.J. Guy continues to flash and have a good pay, but then a play he’d like to have back,’ Harbaugh said. “Then two good plays, one he’d like to have back. He’s almost where Rayshaun Benny was during the season — a good one, then not a good one. Two good ones, and then not good.”
But they’ve all come a long way, with Harrell leading the charge.
“I’m looking forward to big things from Jaylen,” Harbaugh said. “And the other guys, too.”
