Wolverines standout safety Daxton Hill is the latest Michigan player to declare for the 2022 NFL draft after three seasons with the program.

Michigan has often been ranked among the top five or 10 teams in the country, and that’s thanks to strong defensive performances. Kwity Paye #19 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to sack Peyton Ramsey #12 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. According to Harbaugh, they’ve only gotten better this offseason, and if Michigan can get some help from the defensive tackles, it’ll make their jobs even easier. READ: Defensive line is X-factor for Michigan against quarterback-loaded scheduleWith a less experienced secondary -- particularly at cornerback -- Hutchinson and Paye will be more important than ever. Defensive tacklesStarters: Carlo Kemp and Chris HintonConfidence: 100% and 95%Kemp will be one of the starters at defensive tackle -- that’s a slam dunk.

One of the most important is defensive tackle Chris Hinton. Defensive line outlookIt’s no secret Michigan’s defensive line underperformed a year ago. That was missing against the likes of Wisconsin, Ohio State and Penn State last season. Former Michigan defensive tackle Maurice HurstHinton doesn’t have to be Maurice Hurst, but Michigan needs him to be a threat from the interior of the line. It’s absolutely critical for the defensive line to get pressure without committing too many players to the blitz and compromising coverage downfield.

Unfortunately, the defensive line wasn’t a strength for Michigan a year ago. Even though the schedule is shorter this season, Michigan won’t avoid the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten. Look no further than the 2019 recruiting class to find the X-factors for this defensive line. Beyond Hinton and Smith, the rest of the defensive line depth is hard to project. Beyond Hutchinson and Paye, the defensive line could very well be a weakness for Michigan, and that would be a crippling blow to a young defense.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Michigan football got very little help from its freshman class last season, but according to head coach Jim Harbaugh, at least 11 true freshmen will contribute early in the 2019 season. He's going to play and work into that safety position, but he's really done extremely well." Receivers Cornelius Johnson, Giles Jackson will be playing both special teams and then working their way into the receiver position." Turner has been really good playing in special teams," Harbaugh said. He's going to be very good and playing."

Head Coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines watches his team warm up before a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The University of Michigan updated its online football roster Monday, revealing numbers for 25 true freshmen who were members of the 2019 recruiting class that ranked No. Here are the jersey numbers for the 25 scholarship players, according to the team's official website:3. RB Zach Charbonnet30. OL Zach Carpenter58.