Michigan’s new head coach Kyle Whittingham didn’t bring the whole Utah roster with him to Ann Arbor, but he did bring a few key pieces - and a couple of them could make an immediate impact in the Big Ten. On Wednesday, Whittingham went on the Big Ten Network and offered some insight into two of his former Utah players who followed him to Michigan: edge rusher John Henry Daley and wide receiver JJ Buchanan.
Let’s start with Daley, a name Wolverines fans should get familiar with in a hurry.
John Henry Daley: A Relentless Force Off the Edge
Whittingham didn’t hold back on his praise for Daley, calling him “a relentless, throwback type of defensive end.” At 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, Daley isn’t just built for the Big Ten - he’s built to dominate it.
He plays with a motor that doesn’t quit and a physical edge that Michigan fans will appreciate. According to Whittingham, Daley was leading the nation in sacks before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury.
And if you watched him before that injury, you know the numbers back it up.
In just 11 games last season, Daley racked up 48 tackles, including 17.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. That’s not just production - that’s game-changing disruption. He was on pace to finish as the national sack leader, and there’s a real belief in Ann Arbor that if he returns to form by fall camp, he could be Michigan’s most dangerous pass rusher since Aidan Hutchinson tore through offensive lines in 2021.
The key, of course, is health. A ruptured Achilles is no small hurdle, but if Daley gets back to full strength, he has the tools to wreak havoc in the Big Ten. His combination of size, speed, and relentless effort makes him a nightmare for opposing tackles - and a potential cornerstone for Michigan’s defense.
JJ Buchanan: The Big-Body Receiver with Bounce
Then there’s JJ Buchanan, a big-bodied wideout with tight end size and wide receiver skills. Whittingham described him as “almost a tweener,” noting that while Buchanan has the frame of a tight end - listed at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds - he kept him at receiver because of his athleticism.
That athleticism isn’t just theoretical. Buchanan posted a 40-inch vertical jump and used it to dominate in contested catch situations.
According to PFF, he led all Power Four freshmen wideouts and tight ends in contested catches last season with 10. That’s elite ball-winning ability, and it’s something that can be a quarterback’s best friend - especially when things break down or the coverage is tight.
Buchanan caught 26 passes for 427 yards and five touchdowns last season, despite joining Utah in the summer and missing spring ball. He got better as the season went on, and by the end of the year, he was a go-to option in the red zone and on 50/50 balls down the field.
Looking ahead, Buchanan could be a major weapon for incoming quarterback Bryce Underwood in 2026. His size, leaping ability, and physicality give him the kind of upside that’s hard to coach. He’s the type of receiver who can make a quarterback look good - even when the throw isn’t perfect.
The Big Picture
Whittingham didn’t bring a full roster with him from Utah, but the guys he did bring - especially Daley and Buchanan - are poised to play big roles in Michigan’s next chapter. Daley has the potential to be a game-wrecker off the edge, and Buchanan offers a unique blend of size and athleticism on the outside.
If both players stay healthy and continue to develop, they won’t just be transfers - they’ll be difference-makers. And for a Michigan team looking to maintain its place among the Big Ten’s elite, that’s exactly what you want from the portal.