Michigan Wolverines defensive tackles coach Larry Black Jr. had a lot to say about the pecking order in his position group during his first media appearance on Monday. Black Jr. highlighted the leadership and development of seniors Trey Pierce, Enow Etta, and Jonah Lea’ea, who transferred in from Utah. He praised their consistent improvement in the run game, pass rush, and leadership qualities.
Black Jr. also discussed the emergence of sophomore Bobby Kanka, who is following in the footsteps of his senior counterparts. Kanka has shown progress in his ability to handle double teams and base blocks, and his natural talent for knowing his assignment and alignment. The coach also mentioned the potential of juniors Deyvid Palepale and true freshmen Alister Vallejo and Titan Davis, despite their summer enrollment and the challenges of the defensive line position.
Black Jr. emphasized the importance of depth and organization for the team's success. He believes that the more depth they have, the fresher and more versatile the team will be, allowing them to play at a high level consistently. The coach also stressed the need for these young players to manage their academic and athletic responsibilities, especially given the physical demands of the defensive line position.
In summary, Black Jr. provided an insightful analysis of the team's defensive tackles, highlighting the leadership and development of key players while also addressing the importance of depth and organization for the team's overall success.
