The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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16 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MARCH 2026 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS 763 Defensive snaps for Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Mason Graham, the most among rookie defensive tackles in the NFL. Gra- ham started all 17 games in 2025, recording 49 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 4 quarterback hits, a half- sack and 4 pass breakups. 4 Michigan prospects stand top 10 at their positions in ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.'s NFL Draft rankings — Marlin Klein (No. 8 fullback/H-back), Jaishawn Barham (No. 6 outside line- backer), DERRICK MOORE (No. 7 out- side linebacker), Dominic Zvada (No. 2 place kicker). NUMBERS AND QUOTES BY CLAYTON SAYFIE 1 Way-too-early All-American from Michigan on On3's list — senior edge John Henry Daley. The Utah transfer had 17.5 tackles for loss, including 11.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles in 11 games for the Utes in 2025, before suffering an Achilles injury. 2 Michigan players have listed Heisman Tro- phy odds for 2026 in sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood (+3500) and junior running back Jordan Marshall (+22500). Former Wolverine Jus- tice Haynes, who transferred to Georgia Tech, has the same odds as Marshall. 3 Of the 32 NFL head coaches have worked for Michigan football — Los Angeles Char- gers' Jim Harbaugh (head coach, 2015-23), Seattle Seahawks' Mike Macdonald (defensive coordinator, 2021) and Baltimore Ravens' JESSE MINTER (defensive coor- dinator, 2022-23). 8.5 Is the over/under win total for Michigan football in 2026, according to VegasInsider. That's tied with Indiana for the fourth-highest in the Big Ten, trailing Ohio State (10.5), Oregon (10.5) and Penn State (10.5). 21st Is where Michigan football finished in the 2025 Associ- ated Press poll, the 64th time that the Wolverines have been ranked to end a season, with the poll having been around since 1936. This is the first time Michigan has finished in the Top 25 since 2023, when the Wolver- ines went 15-0 and won the program's 12th na- tional championship, placing No. 1. Michigan posted an 8-5 record in 2024, missing out on a spot in the Top 25. The Wolverines concluded No. 3 in both 2022 and 2021. Michigan is one of six Big Ten programs that fin- ished in the Top 25, joined by No. 1 Indiana, No. 4 Oregon, No. 5 Ohio State, No. 17 Iowa and No. 20 USC. Buchanan enters the portal with a ton of upside overall. He blends great height, ball skills and athleti- cism. Utilized more as an 'H' and was a desirable matchup versus less athletic linebackers underneath or smaller DBs on deep routes. Consistently wins the jump ball with his strong hands and great leaping ability. He has a basketball background and it shows as a pass catcher. Impressive burst off the line given his size and he can stretch the defense up the seam. He has some work ahead of him as a blocker; very one-dimensional right now." — ESPN analyst Steve Muench on sophomore wide receiver JJ Buchanan, a Utah transfer I don't care if you're a Michigan State fan or a Michigan fan — to have the environment that we had today in this state is unbelievable. I think for all the young girls out there watching, there's hope. There's hope that you can play in front of a packed crowd on every night like the men play in front of a packed crowd every night." — Michigan women's basketball head coach Kim Barnes Arico after a 94-91 overtime win at Michigan State in front of 11,635 fans Feb. 1 PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL PHOTO BY DOMINICK SOKOTOFF