Lou Esposito won’t make comparisons but expects results with current DL group: ‘New roles, same Michigan’

Don’t ask Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito to make comparisons to the position group he had last year to the one he’s about to field in 2025.

He wants nothing to do with it.

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Despite having to replace NFL talent in Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, Esposito’s position group is widely considered one of the deepest position groups the Wolverines have on defense despite the losses.

For Esposito, there’s no looking back, only looking forward. When you wear the winged helmet, the expectations will always remain the same regardless of who is on the roster or not.

“I think everybody’s different, right?” Espostio said. “The production of the guys that were here last year was awesome. Sometimes it doesn’t show up in stats. It’s knockbacks, it’s bouncing plays to somebody else. But I do think it’s maybe new roles for them. Same Michigan—that’s the message I told them. New roles, same Michigan. New roles, same D-tackles. New roles, same edges. I think that’s part of it. Each guy is different. Each guy is unique. Each guy is unique in their own way that they play.

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Esposito also credits defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s scheme for being a major benefit for his position group, which he believes puts his players in the best position to be successful.

As long as the scheme is in place, Esposito feels confident that he will see results.

“The system is the system,” Esposito said. “Wink is the best guy I’ve ever been around at maximizing a guy’s potential. If you do this really, really well, we’re going to get you to do that as many times as we can within the game plan. He works it that way. That’s what’s made him so good. I think that’s what we do with our guys. Again, new roles, same Michigan. Same deal for those guys.”