Michigan is getting an encouraging look at its future during fall camp, and Kyle Whittingham says the progress is showing up in the places that matter most: younger players, deeper position groups and a quarterback who looks more comfortable by the day.
With the season opener against Western Michigan under two weeks away, Whittingham singled out wide receiver Channing Goodwin and defensive ends Carter Meadows, Tariq Boney and Nate Marshall as names that have stood out. Goodwin, in particular, has done enough to lock himself into the mix.
“Channing Goodwin has really had a nice fall camp,” Whittingham said. “He’s stepped up and is going to be in the rotation.”
The defensive line work has been just as notable. Meadows, Boney and Marshall are all young, but they’ve held their own in a crowded group, giving Michigan more answers up front. Whittingham also said the team is making steady progress in other areas where depth had been a concern, including linebacker and cornerback.
“I’m feeling much better about things than back when I made that statement,” Whittingham said.
Quarterback Bryce Underwood has also taken a clear step since spring. Whittingham pointed to his growing command of the offense as the reason he’s playing faster and making cleaner choices with the ball.
“He’s making really good decisions. He’s taken good care of the football,” Whittingham said.
The improvement hasn’t been limited to mental work. Whittingham said Underwood’s footwork has sharpened, especially when it comes to climbing the pocket and throwing with balance instead of fading away from pressure. Offensive coordinator Jason Beck has also adjusted the offense to fit Underwood’s strengths.
At tight end, Michigan has another competition brewing, and Whittingham expects more than one player to get involved. Freshman Mason Bonner has made an impression as a pass catcher since arriving in June, though Whittingham said he still needs to add strength and develop as a blocker.
Whittingham didn’t give away a depth chart, either. Michigan, he said, will let Western Michigan learn who starts when the teams line up.
The bigger picture, though, is what Michigan believes it can become if the pieces keep moving in the right direction. Whittingham said a run at the Big Ten championship and the College Football Playoff would require Underwood to keep protecting the football, the ground game to come alive, the run defense to hold up and special teams to perform at a high level. He added that unit could wind up being one of the best in the conference.
Camp has also been heavy on situational work. Michigan has already gone through two-minute and four-minute drills, third downs, red-zone work and long drives, and next week the team will shift into a mock game-week schedule to get players ready for the routine that comes with a season opener.
“You don’t want something that they’ve never done,” Whittingham said.
Whittingham also said the buy-in from the roster has been strong as Michigan adjusts to a new staff.
“The players have embraced them,” Whittingham said. “The players have bought in.”
After more than three decades at Utah, Whittingham said he appreciates his time with the Utes, but his focus is now squarely on building Michigan into a contender.
Michigan opens the 2026 season against the Western Michigan Broncos on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, on NBC.
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