A week into Michigan’s fall camp, a few patterns are already starting to settle in. The Wolverines are building toward Week 1 against Western Michigan, and after listening to the coaches and players, the picture is getting clearer in a handful of key spots.
The biggest immediate boost could come on defense, where Michigan appears to be trending toward having John Henry Daley and Rod Moore ready for the opener. Jay Hill said when camp opened that both players were on pitch counts, but Kyle Whittingham gave a more encouraging update on Monday, saying they are “100% and a full go.” The plan is still to ease them back in gradually before Week 1, but barring any setbacks, both are expected to be out there for the Wolverines.
Up front, the offensive line picture is still taking shape, and the staff’s message is simple: find the best five. Jay Harding said he has no issue with players moving around if it helps Michigan win games.
Evan Link fits that mold. He has taken reps at both tackle spots, but he may ultimately be better inside and is in the mix to move into a guard role.
Blake Frazier is in a similar spot. After starting most of last season at left tackle, he’s battling Andrew Babalola for that job, though coaches believe his athleticism gives him the flexibility to slide inside to either guard position if needed.
Michigan’s freshman class is also starting to generate real buzz beyond the obvious names. Savion Hiter and Salesi Moa are expected to play major roles, but they aren’t the only true freshmen drawing attention.
During Big Ten Media Days, Kyle Whittingham spoke highly of Carter Meadows, and after a significant weight gain, he’s already in the mix to earn a role in a deep edge room. Jay Hill also singled out Tariq Boney, Alister Vallejo, and Titan Davis as players who could help Michigan win games in 2026.
At receiver, Travis Johnson is a name that’s picking up steam. He could end up fighting for the No. 5 spot behind Jaime French and Moa.
The bigger question, though, is who grabs control of the WR3 job. What’s clear is that Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan are the top two playmakers.
Marsh is chasing a 1,000-yard season, and Buchanan may help make that path easier. On Monday, Kyle Whittingham said Buchanan is “unguardable at times” and noted how much he has developed in just his second season of college football.
Buchanan’s size gives Michigan a real target downfield, and Whittingham said he wins most of the 50-50 balls thrown his way.
And then there’s the player everyone is waiting to see take the next step. Underwood still has work to do, but the signs are moving in the right direction.
The game is starting to slow down for the second-year starter, and he’s beginning to read defenses the way the coaches want. Since Koy Detmer Jr. was brought in to help coach him, Underwood’s footwork has improved and he’s getting a better handle on Jason Beck’s scheme.
Michigan plans to unleash him this season and let him use his legs more freely. If that progress holds, a big sophomore leap is on the table.
In Other News...
Michigan Linebacker Battle Just Got More Interesting Than Fans Expected
Michigans linebacker room has been one of the more closely watched parts of camp, and the transfer haul only added to the intrigue. The Wolverines brought in three linebackers through the portal this offseason, giving the position a different look as the staff tries to sort out who can help right away and who can provide dependable depth once the season starts.
One of the more interesting names in the mix has already made a strong early impression. The move has given Michigan another experienced body at a spot where it still needs multiple reliable options, and while a starting job is hardly settled, the competition is at least giving the Wolverines more flexibility than they had entering the offseason. [Read more 🡒]
Tommy Carr Is Reviving A Michigan Quarterback What-If Fans Know Well
Fall camp has been underway for a week at Michigan, and one of the more interesting early position battles has centered on backup quarterback Tommy Carr. Carr made a good impression in the spring game and is now competing with transfer Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi for the QB2 job, a situation that has quietly given the Wolverines another layer of intrigue behind the starter.
What makes it even more notable is the broader family context around the Carr name. Tommys brother, CJ Carr, was once recruited by Michigan before ending up at Notre Dame, and the possibility of both brothers having been in Ann Arbor at the same time has become one of those familiar recruiting what-ifs for fans to revisit as the past and present briefly overlap in camp. [Read more 🡒]