Michigan had a top five defense in 2022. Though it wasn’t the driver to the Wolverines’ run to the College Football Playoff, Michigan will have some shoes to fill entering the new season.

And even though Michigan lost Aidan Hutchinson, Daxton Hill and David Ojabo, Wolverines defensive back RJ Moten feels the Blue and Maize will have the best defense in the country this year.

“We’re all stars. Every person that will play this year is a star,” Moten said after Jim Harbaugh said the Wolverines could have a no-star defense, via On3 Sports. “I don’t care what the critics say — I don’t care what anybody else says. We will be the best defense in the nation.”

Moten is focused on his personal growth from last season too. The rising junior defensive back totaled 34 tackles, 1 interception and 4 pass deflections last season, but will likely take a starting role this season after the departure of Hill and more from a depleted secondary.

He’s taking a deeper dive into what it means to succeed.

“Now, seeing what it really is and how much really goes into it, this year it’s taking care of my body a lot more, studying the game a lot more,” Moten said. “I understand the playbook — now I’ve just got to understand how the offense is trying to attack us or different fronts, where I’ve got to fit now and everything. It was just really taking a deeper dive into what I did previous year this year.”