The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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30 THE WOLVERINE ❱ APRIL 2026 BY CHRIS BALAS RETURNING STARTERS Michigan lost its entire starting linebacking corps when Cole Sullivan transferred to Oklahoma and Jimmy Rolder opted for the NFL Draft. Those two, along with Ernest Hausmann, are gone, and this unit will be tested. KEY RETURNEES Senior Troy Bowles The 6-0, 230-pound Georgia transfer had a bigger role than expected last year when Hausmann was sidelined. He played in all 13 games and notched 27 tackles, in- cluding 2 for loss with 1 sack and a forced fumble. Word has it that he's had a very good offseason. Sophomore Nathan Owusu-Boateng Many believe this could be a breakout season for the second-year inside line- backer with great athleticism. He ap- peared in seven games on special teams and played linebacker in five a year ago. Though he notched only 4 tackles, he's going to have to play a big role. Sophomore Chase Taylor Another athletic second-year line- backer, Taylor played in 10 games on defense last year and also contrib- uted on special teams. He registered 10 tackles and saw more playing time as the year went on, includ- ing a 3-tackle game in a win over Purdue Nov. 1. NEWCOMERS Graduate Max Alford Alford, the nephew of Michigan running backs coach Tony Alford, spent three seasons at Utah State (2022-24) and last year at BYU, where he appeared in 10 games. He's played in 28 games in his career with five starts and notched 62 career tackles, including 5.5 for loss with 1 sack. The 6-1, 230-pounder could be in the mix to play, especially with the lack of depth at the position. Graduate Aisea Moa The 6-2, 235-pounder spent three seasons at BYU (2022-24) and last year at Michigan State (2025). The brother of in- coming frosh receiver Salesi Moa notched 12 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 3 quarterback hurries a year ago and appeared in 17 games with one start at linebacker at BYU. He reg- istered 29 tackles (1.5 for loss), 2 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble for the Cou- gars. G ra d u a te N a t h a n i e l Staehling Staehling, listed at 6-2, 238 pounds from his days at North Dakota State, notched 75 tack- les in his first year as a starter last season and earned All-Mis- souri Valley Football Conference honorable mention recognition. Those close to the program believe he'll play a big role in 2026. Sophomore linebacker Nathan Owusu- Boateng posted 4 tackles last season, but much more will be expected of him in the upcoming campaign. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL New defensive coordinator Jay Hill will be leaning on position coach Alex Whittingham's expertise here, and for good reason. The head coach's son has been on staff with the Kansas City Chiefs for eight years, going to the Super Bowl five times and earning three championship rings (2020, 2022 and 2023). He worked with every defensive position group during his time with the franchise, includ- ing two seasons as a defensive assistant (2018, 2024), five years as a defensive quality control coach (2019, 2020-23), and one season as assistant defensive line coach in 2025. He worked with linebackers in five of his seasons. Hill made it clear Michigan will have one of the most complicated defenses in the country — he's said his defense looks like former U-M D.C. Jesse Minter's — but we (and he) will find out what his personnel can handle. There's not a lot of depth here. "We're going to play straight up sometimes," Hill said. "We're go- ing to stunt. We're going to blitz, and we want to attack weaknesses of players; we want to attack weaknesses in scheme. But I don't want quarterbacks sitting back in the pocket knowing where we're at. I don't want them run checking and getting their best runs always to where we're weak. I just don't believe in that. I think we need to make it hard on the offenses for what we're doing schematically and what we're doing with our personnel." That puts a lot of pressure on the middle of the defense, of course, and plenty of guys who haven't seen a lot of playing time. But there is some raw talent here, and the staff is excited to mold that clay. "I see young talent in the linebacking group, and not a lot of expe- rience," Hill said. "So, I'm excited to see how that group continues to grow." LINEBACKERS ANALYSIS