The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543210
MARCH 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 57 SMITH SNOWDEN • DB SR. • 5-10 • 185 UTAH • LEHI (UTAH) SKYRIDGE On3 Transfer Portal Ranking: HHHH, No. 47 overall, No. 3 CB Rivals Industry Ranking (2023): HHHH, No. 328 overall, No. 37 CB A second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2025, Snowden brings versatility to Michigan's secondary, with the ability to play ei- ther corner or nickel in his final year of eligibility. Not only did Snowden play for Whittingham at Utah, but his brother was on one of Jay Hill's teams when the coach was the head man at Weber State. "I'm going into a situation where I know the head coach and the defensive coordinator, and I believe in them 100 percent," Snowden said. "It was just the best fit for me. I'm really excited about going out there and competing at the highest level." Last season, Snowden recorded 37 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 intercep- tions and 11 pass breakups. The former four-star recruit posted 48 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 picks, a forced fumble and 10 pass breakups in 2024. He was a reserve in 2023, appearing in 11 games and generating 7 tackles. NATHANIEL STAEHLING • LB GR. • 6-2 • 238 NORTH DAKOTA STATE • BAXTER (MINN.) BRAINERD On3 Transfer Portal Ranking: HHH, No. 98 LB Rivals Industry Ranking (2022): HHH, No. 1,095 overall, No. 99 LB The Baxter, Minn., native helped North Dakota State go 12-1 overall in 2025, with its only loss coming in the FCS playoff to eventual national runner-up Illinois State, a team it beat earlier in the year. He was tied for second on the team with 75 tackles and earned All-Missouri Valley recognition, adding 6 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions (including 2 pick sixes) and 9 pressures. He's played only 1 snap against an FBS team, which came against Colorado in 2024, but was productive at his level last season. Staehling, who has one year of eligibility remaining, made 12 tackles in 14 games in 2023 and appeared in five games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in 2024. He redshirted in 2022. TAYLOR TATUM • RB JR. • 5-10 • 212 OKLAHOMA • LONGVIEW (TEXAS) HIGH On3 Transfer Portal Ranking: HHH, No. 28 RB Rivals Industry Ranking (2024): HHH, No. 40 overall, No. 1 RB Tatum spent the last two seasons as a running back at Okla- homa but plans to compete at defensive back to kick off his career in Ann Arbor. In 2025, Tatum was "snakebitten" with injuries, per OU head coach Brent Venables, having played in only one game to main- tain his redshirt. He has three years of eligibility remaining. Tatum, formerly the No. 1 running back in the 2024 class, broke out as a freshman, in 2024, registering 5 yards per carry on an offense that averaged 4.8 yards per play (124th nationally). He rushed 56 times for 278 yards and 3 TDs, adding 5 catches for 41 yards. However, he had 4 fumbles on the season (3 lost). Tatum has also joined Michigan's baseball program under head coach Tracy Smith. He won't play in any games this spring but will practice with the team as his football schedule allows. He plans to compete on the diamond in full in 2027. ❑ Middle linebacker Nathaniel Staehling finished second on North Dakota State with 75 tackles last season. He made 3 interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, including one in the FCS playoffs. PHOTO COURTESY NORTH DAKOTA STATE