CB Gemon Green, one of Michigan defense's standouts, not surprised by early success

Michigan Wolverines football graduate cornerback Gemon Green could’ve left the program this past offseason, to either try his hand at the NFL or play for another college team. He battled injury last season, which helped senior DJ Turner pass him on the depth chart. The Wolverines brought in a five-star freshman this year in Will Johnson, who’ll undoubtedly continue to push for playing time.

Green, though, knew he had more to show. He followed up a great spring in which co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Steve Clinkscale called him the team’s best cornerback with an outstanding fall camp. Through 2 games, Green is one of Michigan’s best defensive players. He’s been targeted 4 times in coverage, with those plays resulting in 4 incompletions, and totaled 1 pass breakup.

Hawai’i, which Michigan beat, 56-10, challenged Green twice early on. He rose up and set the tone for a defense that broke up 7 passes and allowed just 3.1 yards per pass attempt.

“It rids [the nerves] right away,” Green said of what an offense throwing at him early in a game does. “It gets me more comfort. I come in with comfort, but it gets me more ready for the game.”

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Despite playing 1 of the worst teams in the FBS and having to begin warming up 2 hours after when they were scheduled to, due to a lightning delay, the Wolverines’ defense and team as a whole didn’t let any of the distractions faze them.

“We try to treat every game like it’s Ohio State,” the Michigan cornerback noted. “We don’t take any games lightly. We prepare the same, we try to stay focused. We just try to stay focused throughout the week. Everybody just stays locked in, holding each other accountable. It’s kinda easy.”

The Michigan defense has allowed just 17 points 472 total yards through 2 games.

Yes, Green said, Michigan can still learn a lot about its new-look defense and fresh faces in the starting lineup against opponents like Colorado State and Hawai’i.

“Just to see us flying to the ball,” Green said of what he’s seen in the first 2 weeks that will translate to games against tougher opponents. “I’m not going to say we’re punishing the teams that were in front of us the last two games, but we try to keep the pressure on peoples’ necks.

“I don’t know how to explain it. I’m trying to figure out the best way to say it without being cocky or anything. We try to manhandle everybody that is in front of us so that when we get to those types of games, it’ll be like a breeze.”

The Michigan defense, which lost 7 starters from a year ago, has come out with a chip on its shoulder. They put in the time to make sure there’s little to no drop-off from 2021, and they’re not surprised by the early success.

“Yeah, we kinda figured that. We put in a lot of work, so we don’t expect anything less,” Green said of the Michigan defense’s results to this point. “We’re going to be as strong as we can be, get better every week.”

Notes

• Green’s twin brother, German Green, also decided to return for his 5th year at Michigan. He’s been primarily featured as a special teams player during his career, but he’s gotten the chance to play cornerback the last 2 weeks. Through 2 outings, German has 4 tackles and 1 pass breakup. Gemon only has 1 tackle on the year, perhaps because of his lockdown coverage that hasn’t even allowed opposing receivers to catch the ball.

“He’s coming along, he’s doing very good,” Gemon said of his twin brother. “As of right now, he’s got more tackles than me. That’s something that he always brags about. But it’s good to see him out there, flying around, because he didn’t play [defense] in the previous years. It’s good to see him making plays.”

• Playing for Clinkscale is quite the ride, Michigan’s defensive backs have said. He’s tough on them but with a purpose of getting the best out of his position group, but he also has a strong relationship with each player in the room.

“He’s very aggressive,” Green said with a smile after being asked what it’s like to play for Clinkscale. “He’s going to get on you, for sure, if you mess up. He’s also going to turn you up whenever you make a play. He’s always on everybody — even the linebackers — so he’s a very good coach. He’s very smart.”

• Turner and Green have become great friends, as has the entire defensive backfield.

“He’s like a brother to me,” Green said of Michigan’s other starting cornerback. “We’re really close — him, [senior nickel] Mikey [Sainristil], all of the safeties, everybody in the DB room, even the linebackers. We all communicate every day. We try to check up on each other and stuff like that. He’s very cool, laid back, chill. He’s like a brother to me.