As Michigan gears up for spring football in early March, fans have made it clear where their biggest concerns lie - linebacker. In a recent poll, a commanding 64% of fans identified the position as the top area of worry heading into the offseason, well ahead of defensive line/edge at 27%, with tight end (5%) and backup quarterback (4%) trailing far behind.
And honestly, it’s hard to argue with that assessment.
The linebacker room has been hit with a triple whammy this offseason. Cole Sullivan transferred to Oklahoma, Jimmy Rolder declared for the NFL Draft, and Ernest Hausmann - a projected key contributor - medically retired.
That’s a lot of talent and experience walking out the door in a short span. Suddenly, a unit that had some depth and upside is now facing a serious reset.
To their credit, Michigan’s staff hasn’t stood still. The Wolverines dipped into the transfer portal and came away with four additions: Nathaniel Staehling (North Dakota State), Max Alford (BYU), Aisea Moa (Michigan State), and Christian Pierce (Western Illinois). None of them are household names in Ann Arbor - at least not yet - but they bring a mix of experience and upside that could help stabilize the position.
Staehling, in particular, looks like a plug-and-play option. He’s coming off a season where he racked up 75 tackles, three interceptions, and a sack.
That’s production, plain and simple. He’s got the reps, the instincts, and the kind of motor that could make him a leader in this group from day one.
Next to him, look for Bowles - who came on strong late last season - to push for a starting job. He finished the 2025 campaign with 16 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble, most of that coming in the final month.
That late-season surge could be a sign of things to come.
Behind them, Michigan still has some intriguing pieces. Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng and Chase Taylor return and are expected to be key rotational players.
Both have flashed potential, and in a room this young, every snap they’ve taken becomes that much more valuable. Add in incoming freshmen Kaden Catchings, Markel Dabney, and Aden Reeder, and you’ve got a group that’s long on promise - but short on proven production.
That’s the crux of the concern. This is the most inexperienced linebacker unit Michigan has fielded in years.
There’s talent, sure. There’s depth, at least on paper.
But there are also a lot of unanswered questions. Who’s going to lead this group on the field?
Who’s calling the plays in the huddle? Can the transfers acclimate quickly enough to contribute at a high level?
Can the returning players take a leap?
Michigan’s defense has been the backbone of its recent success, and if the Wolverines want to maintain that standard in 2026, they’ll need this linebacker group to come together - and fast. The pieces are there. Now it’s about putting them in place.