"It's pretty easy to (flip the switch), see a different color," Michigan football's Brandyn Hillman said.
Hard-hitting safety Brandyn Hillman took the typical late-August refrain of we're excited to hit someone wearing a different uniform to another level on Tuesday, Aug. 26, following Michigan football practice, when he explained how he makes sure he's laying the lumber against opponents.
This year, it will be especially easy for Hillman when U-M opens up against New Mexico on Saturday, Aug. 30 (7:30 p.m., NBC).
"It's my teammates, I try to keep them up, be safe and practice good practice habits," Hillman said. "It's pretty easy to (flip the switch and) see a different color, you know. How I look at it is, they got the same colors as (expletive) Ohio State."
Hillman is expected to start Saturday night, when the Wolverines are 35-point favorites over the Lobos despite featuring a defense that sent four starters to the NFL in April's draft.
Still, U-M's defensive corps feel it'll be able to replace the standouts through depth: The Wolverines plan to rotate four linebackers, four edges, mix up the secondary and – thanks to perhaps the deepest position group – rotate six defensive tackles through game reps.
Few tackles have gotten more praise for their improvement than Trey Pierce. Last December, Mason Graham – one of those departed NFL'ers – mentioned him as someone to watch for in 2025. Pierce often watches film of Graham and fellow star tackle Kenneth Grant for inspiration, and texts them when he has questions.
Rayshaun Benny, the leader of the group, said earlier this week that Pierce reminds him of himself during his junior year when he finally felt like he had a handle on the college game. For Pierce, who appeared in 13 games each of the past two seasons but made just nine total tackles, it was as much a mental battle as it was a physical one.
"I think I had that moment during bowl prep for Alabama," said the 6-foot-2, 315-pound Chicagoan of when he realized he truly belonged. "Realized like, okay I can deal with these guys. Just more consistently making plays, being in the right spot, consistently winning and consistently knowing my assignment."
Pierce is also motivated by Hillman, who cracked the rotation more notably in 2024 with 21 tackles (including 1½ for loss) and a sack over 12 games.
The highlight was arguably his massive game against Indiana featuring four tackles, including a clean pair knocking opponents out of the game. That's the type of swagger he brings, and Pierce, like all of defensive coordinator Wink Martindale's unit, loves it.
"He's one of my favorite players just to watch," Pierce said. "He's going to bring that energy, he's going to come down and smack someone in the run, he can flat out do it. He's super-explosive and a guy I love playing with.
"It's great knowing he's behind me in that gap, because if for some reason I get sealed off, B-Hill is right there."
Captain and connection
Joe Taylor is not a household name in U-M circles, but he has made a big impact on the team.
When captains were announced last week, Taylor – a senior and a former walk-on from Chelsea – was named one of the team's alternates (along with starting edge TJ Guy). Not bad for a wide receiver who has just one catch in three years and has primarily only played on special teams.
"It was great to be named that from my teammates," Taylor said Tuesday. "I mean Rod (Moore), Max (Bredeson), Gio (El-Hadi), Marlin (Klein), (Derrick) Moore and TJ, it's a great group of guys to be a part of. Definitely a great honor."
Taylor's family are massive Michigan fans, but his father, Adam, may be conflicted Saturday: He played baseball for the Lobos in the 1990s before being drafted by Cleveland in 1996's 23rd round.
Though he hasn't been back to Albuquerque since his college days, the elder Taylor still has "maybe one" Lobos shirt – but he won't be wearing it this weekend.
Taylor the Younger also played varsity baseball for three years at Chelsea, making all-state as a senior. He was supposed to play baseball for U-M as well, but ended up a special teams ace – U-M's Special Teams Player of the year in 2024.
"I knew I had to step up and I was ready for that," Taylor said. "I was hungry, ready to get after it. ... I was the captain of special teams, had to get that group rolling and I think this year we're going to be flying around fast and having fun while doing it.
"That's a big thing on special teams, just setting the tone."
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football pumped for foe with 'same colors as ... Ohio State'
Category: General Sports
