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Poll: Who Will Lead in Interceptions?

With the amount of talent that was lost in the secondary, Michigan needs guys to make plays on the ball. That raises the question, “Who will lead the team in interceptions?”

NCAA Football: Wisconsin at Michigan
Jourdan Lewis intercepts Wisonsin’s Alex Hornibrook in the 4th quarter to seal the victory.
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Despite the wealth of talent lost to the NFL draft and graduation this offseason, Michigan looks poised to reload across the board. One major area of concern though is losing several ball hunting, playmaking studs in the secondary.

As if losing All-American Jourdan Lewis and his co pilot of the defensive backfield, Channing Stribling wasn't a big enough hit to the secondary, the NCAA choosing not to grant cornerback Jeremy Clark a medical redshirt (suffered a torn ACL against Penn State) might be just as bad. And Delano Hill is no longer roaming Ann Arbor, and instead is in the Legion of Boom. Dymonte Thomas, too, is gone.

The talent in this unit is still good, but the experience is far from it. This team needs playmakers who have a nose for the ball, and who are ready to step up to the plate. With that being said, it begs the question, ”Who will lead the team in interceptions this year?”

With so many well qualified options I’m going to give a quick look at the guys I've pegged as candidates and then please vote and comment on who you think will lead these Wolverines in INT’s!

The candidates

• LaVert Hill, Cornerback

Coming off an up and down freshman season, LaVert will have to prove he has the tools that will allow him to take the keys from Jourdan Lewis, and keep the Michigan secondary on lockdown. He has the talent to be Lewis esque, and the 2017-18 season could very well be his coming out party.

• David Long, Cornerback

Long played a good bit of wide receiver in high school, and has good hands. His athleticism coupled with those aforementioned, receiver hands, should help him track down and reel in those wayward passes.

• Keith Washington, Cornerback

A converted QB out of high school, Washington has the speed and now the size (reported this offseason to be at 6’2 & 180lbs) to stay in the receiver’s hip pocket. If he can do that, big plays will come his way.

• Tyree Kinnel, Free Safety

Being the captain of the defense is a tough assignment, but Kinnel looks to be up to the task. The flashes he showed last year were promising, and all signs point to him being a leader, and playmaker in the backfield.

• Josh Metellus, Strong Safety

In my eyes, Josh is the sleeper candidate of the listed candidates. Although he is a hard hitting player by nature, he showed in the Orange Bowl that he can stick with his man regardless of the player's position or where they line up. He will be in the right place at the right time a great deal this season, the only question will be if he can haul in the oppositions gift wrapped presents.

• Other candidates: Jordan Glasgow at SS, Brandon Watson at CB, Drake Harris at CB, Jaylen Kelly-Powell at FS, Ambry Thomas at CB, Benjamin St-Juste at CB

Will it be one of these guys? Probably not. But who knows? Crazier things have definitely happened.

***

Now for your thoughts, fellow Michigan fans! Who do you think will lead the Wolverines in interceptions this season? As always, vote below and leave your thoughts in the comments section!

Poll

Who will lead the team in interceptions?

This poll is closed

  • 18%
    LaVert Hill
    (158 votes)
  • 22%
    David Long
    (192 votes)
  • 13%
    Keith Washington
    (113 votes)
  • 25%
    Tyree Kinnel
    (217 votes)
  • 9%
    Josh Metellus
    (79 votes)
  • 10%
    A darkhorse candidate
    (93 votes)
852 votes total Vote Now