Michigan senior cornerback Vincent Gray approves of the direction the Wolverines’ defense is headed in.

Michigan struggled defensively last season, and ultimately parted ways with former defensive coordinator Don Brown. Now the Wolverines’ defense is led by defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald — and Gray says things are improving.

“I was ready for a change schematically,” Gray told reporters on Tuesday night. “I feel this is going to prepare us more for the next level. It’s going to allow us to compete and make plays on the ball, which is what I enjoy.”

“Making plays on the ball” is something Michigan will have to do more of in 2021. The Wolverines finished tied for last (with Maryland) in the Big Ten in interceptions last season with just two. The Wolverines also finished last in the Big Ten with just one fumble recovered in 2020.

Gray is entering his third year as a contributor for the Wolverines. He has 31 total tackles, 8 pass deflections and 1.5 tackles for loss in his Michigan career.

Michigan hosts Western Michigan on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET.