The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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Top Five Strongest Position Groups 1. Defensive Line — The line was solid but in- consistent last year, especially when it came to generating a pass rush. The word from spring practice this year is they need a few more edges to step up in that department. Junior Dominic Nichols has all the tools but needs to bring it every day, and they're hopeful Utah transfer John Henry Daley will live up to his All- America billing when he returns from injury. On the interior, veterans Enow Etta and Trey Pierce provide a great foundation to help stop the run, but they'll need several others to emerge in backup roles. Senior Cam Brandt had a good spring, though, and junior Devyid Palepale flashed in the spring game. 2. Running Backs — Though he was limited by injury late last year, junior Jordan Marshall is the best returning player on this team. He runs hard and with passion, was the team's co-Offensive Player of the Year, and has a cap- tain's mentality. If he stays healthy, he should easily eclipse 1,000 yards rushing. He could also contribute more in the passing game as a receiver. Veteran Bryson Kuzdzal showed flashes in running for 326 yards and 4 scores, but he'll have a hard time holding off "special" frosh Savion Hiter. Whittingham already reported Hiter would get meaningful carries in Game 1. 3. Secondary — Once again, much of this group's success is going to depend on graduate student Rod Moore's return to health, exactly what we wrote in this piece last year. If he's healthy, this group's ceiling is raised tremen- dously, and it sounds like he will be. Senior cornerback Jyaire Hill took a big step this spring and has the physical tools to play in the NFL, and grad student Zeke Berry has played a lot of football. Transfer Chris Bracy at safety and Utah corner transfer Smith Snowden should both elevate their positions. 4. Wide Receivers — Yes, we're buying the hype with this group, though it appears it's going to be top heavy. Sophomore Andrew Marsh had an outstanding freshman season and should be primed for a huge sophomore year, and Utah transfer and sophomore JJ Bu- chanan had a great spring and is the No. 2 guy, at worst. Texas transfer Jaime Ffrench and true freshman Salesi Moa were the others in the top four after spring, but they'll be pushed by frosh Travis Johnson and others. 5. Offensive Line — We're betting on line coach Jim Harding, because there's talent here. Three starters return — Andrew Sprague, Jake Guarnera and Blake Frazier — from a group that opened holes for a very effective running game, and now they're bigger, stron- ger and more experienced. They needed work on pass protection this spring, but there's still time before the Sept. 5 opener. THE WOLVERINE 2026 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 33