The Michigan Wolverines are staring down a critical offseason - and not just because they’re still without a head coach. With the clock ticking on the transfer portal, the program’s future hinges on what its current roster decides to do next. Once Michigan hires a new head coach, players will have a 15-day window to enter the portal, overlapping with the main NCAA transfer period that runs from January 2 to 16.
That gives the Wolverines a tight, three-week stretch to stabilize the roster - or risk watching key pieces walk out the door.
Let’s be clear: losing players is part of the game, especially in today’s college football landscape where the portal has become as important as recruiting. But for Michigan, the stakes feel higher. This isn’t just about depth charts and rotations - it’s about retaining the core talent that can define the next era of Wolverines football.
Here are five players Michigan simply cannot afford to lose this offseason:
Bryce Underwood - Quarterback
This one’s obvious. Underwood is the kind of quarterback you build a program around.
Michigan got a solid look at him this past season, and while it wasn’t flawless, the flashes were undeniable. He threw for 2,229 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions, finishing with a QBR of 73.4 - respectable numbers for a young quarterback still growing into the role.
But the stats only tell part of the story. Underwood showed real development over the course of the season - better reads, improved accuracy, and a growing command of the huddle. That kind of trajectory is gold for a program in transition.
A new head coach paired with a quarterbacks coach who can continue to foster that growth could be the key to not just keeping Underwood in Ann Arbor, but unlocking his full potential. If Michigan is serious about staying nationally relevant, it starts with keeping its QB1.
Jordan Marshall - Running Back
Marshall stepped up in a big way when Michigan needed him most. After Justice Haynes went down with a season-ending knee injury, the former Mr.
Ohio Football took over the backfield and didn’t miss a beat. He racked up 932 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging over six yards per carry in the wake of Haynes’ absence.
That’s not just production - that’s reliability under pressure.
Haynes’ future remains uncertain, but regardless of whether he returns, Marshall has earned his spot as a cornerstone of the Wolverines’ offense. His combination of vision, burst and toughness makes him a must-retain player for whoever takes over as head coach.
Andrew Marsh - Wide Receiver
Few players on Michigan’s roster turned heads like Marsh did this past season. The freshman wideout led the team in receiving with 641 yards on 42 catches and three touchdowns - and he’s just getting started.
Marsh was named to the On3 College Football Freshman All-American team, and it’s easy to see why. He brought consistency to a passing game that’s been searching for a true No. 1 option for years. His chemistry with Underwood is already developing, and the idea of those two growing together in this offense should have Michigan fans excited - if they can both be convinced to stay.
In a sport where explosive plays win games, Marsh is the kind of weapon you don’t let walk.
Mason Curtis - Linebacker
Wink Martindale’s defense thrived on depth and rotation, which made it tough for individual defenders to stand out. But Curtis did just that.
The sophomore linebacker from Nashville made his presence felt in a crowded room of veterans. He earned Defensive Player of the Week honors twice - against Northwestern and Maryland - and was named Michigan’s Rookie of the Year on Defense in 2024.
What separates Curtis is his football IQ and physicality. He’s always around the ball, always in the right spot, and when he hits, you feel it. If Michigan wants to maintain continuity on the defensive side of the ball, Curtis is a key piece of that puzzle.
Cole Sullivan - Linebacker
Like Curtis, Sullivan emerged from a stacked linebacker room in 2025 and made the most of his opportunities. After cutting his teeth on special teams in 2024, he broke out this past season with 37 tackles, two sacks, three interceptions, and three pass deflections. That’s production - and it came when Michigan needed it most.
When Ernest Hausmann missed time late in the season, Sullivan stepped in and delivered. He tallied four tackles in his first career start at Maryland, then followed it up with six tackles and a tackle for loss against Ohio State. That’s big-game poise from a young player.
Sullivan brings energy, versatility and leadership potential to the table. No matter who ends up calling the shots on defense next year, he’s someone you want leading the charge.
The Bottom Line
Michigan’s offseason hinges on more than just who takes over as head coach - it’s about who stays to play for him. The transfer portal is already buzzing, and programs across the country are circling like sharks. But if the Wolverines can hold onto these five foundational players, they’ll have a strong core to build around.
This isn’t about plugging holes. It’s about preserving the identity of a team that still has the talent to contend - if it can keep that talent in Ann Arbor.