Cam Goode on Michigan defensive line: 'We don't lose, we just reload'
Michigan Wolverines football saw defensive tackle Mazi Smith become a first-round pick and EDGE Mike Morris — the 2022 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year — go in the fifth round. The Maize and Blue aren’t just tasked with replacing two starters up front, but two consensus first-team All-Big Ten selections.
However, Michigan has a lot to replace on the defensive line seemingly every season, and every fall the Wolverines prove capable of doing so, with breakout players emerging. It remains to be seen how high of a level Michigan’s line can reach, but the depth is arguably better than last season. At tackle, there’s a top group of senior Kris Jenkins, sophomore Mason Graham, sophomore Kenneth Grant, graduate Cam Goode and junior Rayshaun Benny. At EDGE, four starting-caliber players are in place in seniors Jaylen Harrell and Braiden McGregor, junior Josaiah Stewart and sophomore Derrick Moore.
“I feel like we really don’t lose, we just reload,” Goode said. “That’s really my honest opinion. We’ve got five starters on the interior, and we’ve got about four or five on the outside, too. Pretty much we’re in platoons, we come in waves, but every wave that comes in is going to be crucial.”
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Named one of six Michigan team captains, Jenkins has been the ring leader of the interior of the defensive line, highlighted by his endless enthusiasm.
“It’s crazy. I’ve known Kris Jenkins since high school,” Goode said of his linemate. “We had the opportunity to play in the WCAC in Washington D.C., and he’s always been a dominant guy. He was smaller, but it doesn’t neglect his strength.
“It’s just amazing to me that Kris can go out there every snap and play with a high-level energy. He honestly sets the standard among the team in energy. We just try to live up to Kris on the daily.”
Goode is ready to contribute more this season himself. Last season, the 6-1, 314-pound UCF transfer played in nine games, recording 8 tackles with 1 for loss and a pass breakup in his first year with the Wolverines. He lost some weight, down from 323 to 314 pounds, and feels he can move better “side-to-side.”
“I would say that it’s more of an NFL system here,” Goode said of his acclimation process. “[There are] a lot of things you have to pick up on your own, but there’s a great supporting cast. Nobody is left alone, nobody is left behind. We’re all learning together, getting over pillars together. So it’s definitely a family environment with an NFL [system].”
Goode said all of Michigan’s defensive tackles learned from Smith last season and now know what it takes to play at that level and become a first-round pick. Iron is sharpening iron in practice, too, with the D-line going up against the Wolverines offensive line, which has won the Joe Moore Award the last two seasons. Goode was asked about senior right guard Zak Zinter in particular and raved about his teammate.
“Zak Zinter, oh, man, that’s a beast, that’s a big guy,” Goode said of the Michigan guard. “Definitely one of the guys that’s the heart and soul of the interior O-line. But somebody who’s able to be 320-plus [pounds] and move his feet like he’s 280, that’s something you just don’t get. And also to have that strength — it’s really hard to get around ‘Zak Zint,’ surely.”
At UCF in 2021, Goode forced 4 fumbles (tied for 12th in the NCAA) and added 24 tackles with 4 stops for loss and 3 sacks.
Michigan will begin the 2023 season with East CArolina, an opponent Goode is familiar with. Goode’s team beat the Pirates in 2021 (20-16), 2020 (51-28) and 2019 (41-28), but he knows the history of how pesky the program has been.
“They’re very sneaky — very, very sneaky,” Goode said. “I told my teammates, don’t underestimate any opponent we have, especially ECU. Very sneaky guys, very tough team, but I feel like we can handle the job, for sure.”
