Michigan doesn’t have to wait long to find out what its 2026 season really looks like. With kickoff less than a week away, the Wolverines are leaning on a group of players who may not be the biggest names yet, but are lined up to matter right away.
Some are freshmen stepping into the spotlight. Others arrived through the transfer portal and already look like they’re penciled into major roles. And then there’s the veteran who’s spent his time waiting and now seems ready to break through.
The most obvious name on the list is running back Savion Hiter. The freshman came in as a five-star prospect and the top-rated back in the 2026 recruiting class, and he already flashed in the April spring game.
Michigan expects him to be the No. 2 running back in his first season, and CBS Sports has him projected as the freshman of the year. A season in the 600-800-yard range would not be a surprise, and the source material even leaves room for more.
On the defensive front, Dominic Nichols has become one of the more intriguing pieces on the roster. The third-year edge rusher is expected to start opposite Utah transfer John Henry Daley, and people around the program are talking about him like a player who has made a real jump.
Senior offensive lineman EvanLink didn’t hesitate when asked who the team’s top pass rusher is: "Probably say Dom Nichols," senior offensive lineman EvanLink answered when asked who the best pass rusher on the team is. "Yeah, Dom's a tremendous pass rusher.
A lot of moves; he can do anything he wants. He's really, really good and taking a lot of steps forward."
Senior edge rusher Cam Brandt pointed to Nichols’ approach and athleticism as the difference. "I feel like it's probably just his mindset and just how he attacks it," senior edge rusher Cam Brandt said of Nichols' emergence.
"He's very fluid, very athletic, and just feels like he knows what he's doing out there. So yeah, when it comes to pass rusher, it definitely comes natural."
The transfer class also brings two names that should be in the mix from the start. Wide receiver JJ Buchanan, a Utah transfer entering his second year, is expected to line up alongside Andrew Marsh.
He has already been described as "unguardable" by head coach Kyle Whittingham, and the trait that keeps coming up is his ability on contested catches. Michigan wide receivers coach Micah Simon singled him out when talking about 50-50 balls: "JJ is the first one that comes to mind," wide receivers coach Micah Simon said of 50-50 ball pass catchers.
"He has that same basketball background in high school. And that was his knack last year at the other place.
So he stands out in that area."
Buchanan’s presence should help create more space for Marsh, and that in turn should open more chances for Buchanan too.
Safety Chris Bracy may not carry the same buzz, but the former UAB and Memphis defender has the kind of production that gets noticed fast. He posted 75 tackles last season for the Tigers, and Buchanan says the ball seems to find him over and over again.
"Man, he just always ends up with the ball in his hand," Buchanan said last week. "I swear, he's got to have four or five interceptions through the camp, which is pretty crazy.
He's just a ball hawk."
Bracy was named a starter before fall camp by Whittingham at Big Ten media days, so he looks positioned to make an immediate impact.
The final name is another Utah transfer, cornerback Smith Snowden. Michigan expects him to bounce between nickel and boundary, and while his role won’t mirror the offense-heavy usage he had last year for the Utes, he should still be part of the return game on special teams.
Teammates have already taken to him. Wide receiver Jaime Ffrench said, "Man, he's a good competitor," wide receiver Jaime Ffrench said of Snowden.
"He's gonna fight, he's very patient. I really like Smith Snowden, for sure."
Snowden may not have the same profile as some of the other newcomers, but he’s already in the mix with Jyaire Hill and Zeke Berry as a playmaker to watch in 2026.
In Other News...
Michigan Freshman QB Rise Just Made The Opener More Interesting
Tommy Carrs climb up Michigans quarterback pecking order has quietly become one of the more interesting developments of camp. The true freshman has earned the QB2 job for the season opener, moving ahead of Colorado State transfer Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi after what coaches viewed as a steady spring and fall. Carrs mobility and knack for extending plays stood out, giving the Wolverines a backup option whose style adds a different layer to the offense.
Fowler-Nicolosi brought experience and a strong arm into the competition, but his late arrival to campus made the race tougher from the start, especially with Carr already building momentum. For Michigan, the backup spot matters more than just insurance - it can shape how the offense looks if the starter has to come out, and it also says plenty about how quickly Carr has earned trust. The opener should still answer the biggest questions, but this one leaves a little more intrigue than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Michigans Defense Gets A Needed Boost Ahead Of Week 1
Michigan heads into the 2026 season with a mostly clean bill of health, and that matters especially on a side of the ball that needs to set the tone early. The only major injury in camp is to freshman offensive lineman Ace Hamilton, while the defense appears to be getting some welcome stability with veteran Chris Bracy expected back in the mix and Rod Moore also slated to play as the opener approaches.
Moores return comes with a measured approach after a two-year absence, but the bigger boost may be the presence of edge rusher John Henry Daley, who is fully recovered from his Achilles injury and already working his way into the defense. Kyle Whittingham has pointed to Daleys readiness and explosiveness, the kind of development that can matter immediately for a unit looking to open the season with more depth and a little more bite. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Just Lost A Freshman Its Rotation Was Counting On
Brandon McCoy Jr. had already carved out a significant place in Michigans plans before the regular season even arrived, starting all three exhibition games on the Wolverines foreign tour. For a freshman expected to play a major role right away, those early reps suggested he was quickly becoming part of the rotation the staff was counting on heading into the 2026-27 campaign.
Instead, Michigan now has to move forward without him after McCoy Jr. suffered an ACL injury during the exhibition trip and will miss the entire season. The Wolverines said they will continue to share updates on his recovery as more information becomes available, but the immediate concern is clear: a young piece the program was banking on will be on the sideline just as the year begins. [Read more 🡒]