MKRob Sports

Defensive end appears to be UM’s strongest position on defense, with Allen Bailey (pictured above) leading a group that also includes Marcus Robinson, Adewale Ojomo (pictured below), Steven Wesley, Andrew Smith, Olivier Vernon and Dyron Dye.

And the unit has received a boost this spring, with Ojomo’s return from a broken jaw and Smith’s improvement.

Ojomo, who redshirted in 2009 after being punched last August by former walk-on Tyrone Ballard, said his return has gone well and he feels no rustiness.

“His timing is off a little bit, but from where he was earlier to now, he’s back to being physical, tough,” coach Randy Shannon said Wednesday. “Sometimes he shows some flashes. Sometimes, you’ll be like, `You still have some work to do.’ His progress has really been above what expectations are. But like anything, you want more out of him.”

Ojomo, who said he has not spoken to Ballard since the incident, dropped to 215 pounds last fall but is now at 262: “I can run well at this weight.” Ojomo played at 240 two years ago.

Smith had 15 tackles and no sacks in 11 games last season, including seven starts. But he had three sacks in the March 11 scrimmage and “he’s using the pass rush moves he’s developed,” Shannon said.

Bailey will play primarily defensive end, which he prefers, but will shift to tackle at times on third-down passing situations.

“You’ll get your best four pass-rushers on the field no matter who they are,” Shannon said.