The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543210
MARCH 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 19 ❱ MICHIGAN FOOTBALL In addition to the captains, the lead- ership council (listed alphabetically) includes: • Nico Andrighetto, Fifth-Year Senior, S • Zeke Berry, Fifth-Year Senior, CB • Cameron Brandt, Senior, DE • Mason Curtis, Junior, S • Enow Etta, Junior, DL • Blake Frazier, Junior, OL • Jake Guarnera, Junior, OL • Jyaire Hill, Senior, CB • Andrew Marsh, Sophomore, WR • Zack Marshall, Senior, TE • Andrew Sprague, Junior, OL Further details on the spring game will be revealed at a later date. — Chris Balas ROD MOORE GRANTED SIXTH YEAR WAIVER, WILL RETURN IN 2026 Michigan grad safety Rod Moore will return for a sixth season at U-M, giv- ing the Wolverines a huge boost if he's healthy. Moore is a two-time captain (2024, '25) and will likely be elected for a third straight season. The 6-0, 198-pound Moore has one year of eligibility remaining after medi- cally redshirting in 2024 and preserving his traditional redshirt by playing in only three games in 2025. He's been on a long journey. Moore returned from his knee injury at less than full strength in 2025, playing in three games and totaling 85 defensive snaps. While he wasn't fully healthy, he still made a big impact with 6 tackles on the season and a highlight-reel interception in a win over Wisconsin. He also saw the field against Nebraska and USC but was shut down for the season in mid-October. In March 2024, Moore went down with a severe knee injury during a special teams rep in practice that cost him the majority of the next two seasons. He underwent two different surgeries. "Truthfully, at first it was really hard, especially going down in the spring," Moore said after being named a captain in 2024. "I wanted to get better; that was the time for me to get better. I took some time to myself, and my family told me that I just have to take this and turn it into a positive and just look at the bright side of everything. And I just took my role of being a leader and vocal guy and pushed forward from there." A third-team All-Big Ten selection in 2023, Moore appeared in 12 games with 11 starts. He logged 38 tackles, includ- ing 1 for loss, and 2 interceptions, helping Michigan win the national championship and Big Ten title with a perfect 15-0 re- cord. One of his two picks was the game- sealing interception against Ohio State. The Dayton, Ohio, native led Michi- gan in interceptions (4) as a sophomore in 2022 and played in 11 games with four starts as a frosh. His first career start came when he finished with 6 tackles in a 21-17 win at Penn State. He tied for the team lead with 9 tackles in a 42-27 victory over Ohio State at The Big House that year. — Chris Balas The 2025 college football season concluded with Indiana's 27-21 win over Miami (Fla.) in the national title game, and several outlets and pundits were quick to release their 2026 way-too-early top-25 rankings in the aftermath With U-M heading into a new era under head coach Kyle Whitting- ham and company, opinions are varied on how the Wolverines will fare next season, but most believe the team will be firmly in the mix nationally and one of the programs to watch in the Big Ten. Brandon Marcello, CBS Sports: No. 9 "The Wolverines might be the surprise team in the Big Ten next season. The hiring of Kyle Whittingham was a master stroke con- sidering the timing and circumstances, but the addition of Utah offensive coordinator Jason Beck is the key. His offense at Utah was electric, and tapping into the potential of [sophomore] quarterback Bryce Underwood should send shivers down the spines of opposing coaches." Ari Wasserman, On3: No. 11 "Michigan's 2025 ended in disaster with a loss to Ohio State, and things (somehow) got worse. The Sherrone Moore saga — which ended in his firing — was one of the more bizarre off-the-field stories you'll find in college football. But what happened after is all really good stuff. The Wolverines hired former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, retained quarterback Bryce Underwood and added a bunch of pieces in the transfer portal. Given Whittingham's history and Michigan's resources, the Wolverines should be a very tough out in the Big Ten next year." Steven Lassan, Athlon Sports: No. 12 "New coach Kyle Whittingham inherits a talented Michigan roster coming off a nine-win campaign in '25 and one that should have playoff aspirations next season. Rising sophomore Bryce Underwood is just scratching the surface of his potential and should be a good fit for new coordinator Jason Beck's offense. [Junior] running back Jordan Marshall (932 yards) returns to anchor the ground attack, while the Wolverines should have one of the top offensive lines in the Big Ten. New defensive signal-caller Jay Hill has holes to fill at every level, but portal additions should provide instant help. If healthy, former Utah lineman John Henry Daley (11½ sacks) will be among the nation's top defenders." Erick Smith and Paul Myerberg, USA Today: No. 14 "A new era begins under former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, who takes over a team potentially defined by quarterback Bryce Underwood's growth as a sophomore under new coordinator Ja- son Beck. Defensively, Michigan has the framework of a starting lineup but lacks depth up front and is inexperienced on the second level, though edge rusher John Henry Daley and cornerback Smith Snowden came along from the Utes and will make immediate im- pacts. Look for Whittingham to install a high floor for his debut with the potential for a run at the Big Ten if the roster comes together this summer." Mark Schlabach, ESPN: No. 18 "After a season to forget, both on and off the field, the Wolverines must be looking forward to the start of the Kyle Whittingham era. The 66-year-old had a 177-88 record in 21 seasons at Utah, and Michigan hired him only 13 days after he stepped down. He has some playmakers in place on offense, led by quarterback Bryce Underwood, tailback Jordan Marshall and [sophomore] receiver An- drew Marsh. There are a handful of players coming back with start- ing experience on the offensive line, including [senior] left tackle Evan Link. There are more personnel losses on defense, but the Salt Lake City pipeline should help Michigan fill its holes. Daley had 17.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks in 2025. He's coming back from a lower-leg injury. With several Utah assistants joining Whittingham at Michigan, there will be plenty of familiarity for a smooth transition." — Anthony Broome U-M In Way-Too-Early 2026 Rankings