The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 35 TY HAYWOOD OL ★★★★ The Denton, Texas, native flipped from Ala- bama to Michigan late in the 2025 recruiting cycle. After one year in Ann Arbor in which he played in three games, Haywood headed to Tuscaloosa through the transfer portal. CHASE HERBSTREIT QB ★★★ Did not see game action and primarily played a role on scout team in practice — earning co- Scout Team Player of the Year on Offense. JULIUS HOLLY DE ★★★ Competed in one game along the defensive line, the loss to Texas in the Citrus Bowl. DONOVAN JOHNSON RB ★★★ Missed the entire 2025 campaign and was out this spring with a knee injury. BOBBY KANKA DT ★★★ The Howell, Mich., native is in the mix as a rotational player at defensive tackle this fall after playing in one game and making a tackle for loss against Central Michigan as a freshman. ANDREW MARSH WR ★★★★ The 2025 All-Big Ten honorable mention selection was tabbed as the Wolverines' Of- fensive Skill Player of the Year after leading the team with 45 catches for 651 yards and adding 4 touchdowns. Marsh's effort vaulted him to the top of Michigan's record book for receiving yards among freshmen. NATE MARSHALL DE ★★★★ Competed in 11 contests in 2025, recording 6 tackles while logging 89 defensive snaps. TRAVIS MOTEN DT ★★★★ Made one appearance as a freshman, playing on the defensive line against Central Michigan. ELI OWENS TE ★★★ Appeared in two games as a freshman and is in the mix to contribute more at fullback/ tight end this season. NATHANIEL OWUSU-BOATENG LB ★★★★ Played in seven games last season and notched 4 tackles. Owusu-Boateng totaled 75 defensive snaps, including 25 against Purdue and 21 against Maryland. He is projected in the two-deep of the depth chart heading into 2026. JASPER PARKER RB ★★★★ Transferred to Arkansas following the 2025 campaign in which he ran 25 times for 93 yards and 2 touchdowns. Parker averaged only 3.7 yards per carry but played a key role against Washington and at Maryland due to injuries to those ahead of him. BENNY PATTERSON III DE ★★★★ Competed in five games last season and is in the mix to earn a spot in the rotation in 2026. JAYDEN SANDERS CB ★★★★ Michigan's best freshman cornerback last season, Sanders has since transferred to rival Notre Dame. Sanders appeared in 13 con- tests with two starts (against Central Michi- gan and Nebraska), racking up 23 tackles and 1 pass breakup. KADEN STRAYHORN OL ★★★ Played in two games on the offensive line, including seeing significant time at right guard in the Citrus Bowl against Texas. After the sea- son, Strayhorn transferred to Alabama. CHASE TAYLOR LB ★★★ Billed as one of the most improved players on Michigan's defense this offseason, Taylor saw action in 10 outings and recorded 10 tackles in 80 defensive snaps last year. He is projected as a starter during 2026 fall camp. BRYCE UNDERWOOD QB ★★★★★ The former No. 1 overall recruit was tabbed as the Maize and Blue's Rookie of the Year on Offense in 2025, starting all 13 games. He completed 202 of his 335 pass attempts for 2,428 yards and 11 touchdowns with 9 inter- ceptions. He added 88 rushes for 392 yards and 6 scores. Underwood has been named the starting quarterback once again in 2026. JACOB WASHINGTON WR ★★★★ Played in two games in 2025 — making his debut against Central Michigan and also play- ing against Texas in the Citrus Bowl. KAINOA WINSTON S ★★★★ Saw time in one game as a defensive back last season, making 2 tackles against Central Michigan. JORDAN YOUNG S ★★★★ Recorded 15 tackles and 3 pass breakups, in- cluding a key deflection in a tight victory against Northwestern, and played in 10 games. Young is projected as a backup to graduate Rod Moore and junior Chris Bracy this fall. ❏ TOP CONTRIBUTOR TO DATE QB Bryce Underwood Once Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene (who's now at Arizona State) went down with an injury last offseason, Michigan absolutely needed Underwood to play. Luckily, Underwood took every meaningful offensive snap behind center last season — starting all 13 games and flashing his tremendous potential while also enduring growing pains. UNSUNG HERO WR Andrew Marsh Plenty of people sang his praises last season, but Marsh's emergence as a go-to player — after not even serving as a starter in September — was critical for the Maize and Blue, as was his strong connection with Underwood. Marsh put together one of the best fresh- man wide receiver seasons in program history and is ready to break out even more in 2026. READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT THIS FALL OL Andrew Babalola If Babalola would've stayed healthy last fall camp, it might've been him instead of senior Evan Link who started at left tackle in the opener against New Mexico. Instead, Babalola re- habilitated his knee, took mental reps and learned in a different way as a freshman. Whether he wins the left tackle job or not heading into the 2026 season, Babalola will play a big role. REPORT CARD Players In Class: 24 Rivals Industry Team Ranking: 6th Players Still At Michigan: 19 A-