Tariq Boney didn’t take long to become a name Michigan fans know.
The freshman edge rusher has moved from promising recruit to one of the most disruptive young pieces on the Wolverines’ defense, and his rise has been fast enough to change the way the staff can rotate up front. Boney came to Ann Arbor with a strong background after starring at St.
John’s College High School in Washington, D.C., where he earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors for the District of Columbia. At 6-1 and 243 pounds, he arrived with the kind of frame and production that usually hint at future impact.
Now it’s showing up on Saturdays.
After seeing limited action in Michigan’s first two games, Boney broke through against UTEP with four tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack. He followed that up the next week with another sack against Iowa, a sign that his production wasn’t just a one-game burst.
His first step has stood out, and so has the way he keeps working through blocks. That combination has earned him a real role in the defensive rotation, alongside fellow freshman Carter Meadows.
Head coach Kyle Whittingham singled out Boney’s upside during media availability, framing him as a player with a huge future. That praise lines up with what the numbers have shown so far.
Through the first five games of the season, Pro Football Focus graded Boney as one of Michigan’s highest-rated defenders overall. Even with fewer than 20 snaps per contest, he’s made offenses account for him because of his ability to collapse the pocket and win on the edge.
For Michigan, that matters. Boney gives the Wolverines a pass rusher who can bring immediate pressure in third-and-long situations, while also helping keep the starting edge rushers fresh late in games. And he’s doing it without giving up much against the run, which makes his early emergence even more valuable for the defensive staff.
In Other News...
Michigan Returns To Ann Arbor With Pressure On Bryce Underwood
Michigan comes back to Ann Arbor still looking for a cleaner footing in a season that has already grown uneasy, and the matchup ahead carries more weight than the records suggest. Penn State arrives at 3-3 overall and 0-3 in the Big Ten, while Michigan is 3-2 and winless in league play, leaving both sides in search of answers after recent losing streaks and under first-year head coaches trying to steady things early.
The most closely watched part of Michigans side remains the quarterback spot, where Bryce Underwood is set to keep starting as the Wolverines try to find more consistency on offense. Offensive coordinator Jason Beck is also staying in place, and with the pressure building around a team that has not yet found its conference rhythm, this next stretch will say a lot about how quickly Michigan can settle in at home. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan May Have Found An Immediate Answer At Cornerback
Michigan football looks to have added a pair of experienced portal pieces to its 2026 roster, and the one that matters most right now may be Jeremiah Earby. The former Cal and Boise State cornerback brings real game experience with him, and his path to Ann Arbor got a boost when the Washtenaw County Circuit Court granted him a fifth year of eligibility, clearing the way for him to join Michigan midseason.
What makes Earby especially interesting for the Wolverines is the familiarity factor. He already knows Michigan coach Tyler Stockton from Stocktons time at Boise State, which should help speed up the transition as Michigan looks for immediate help on the back end. Alongside former Tulane and Miami tight end Alex Bauman, Earby gives the staff another veteran option to work into the mix, but his arrival is the one with the clearest potential to address a pressing need right away. [Read more 🡒]
Michigans QB Situation Is Suddenly Putting Bryce Underwood On Notice
Bryce Underwoods recent run has put Michigans quarterback picture in a different kind of spotlight. The Wolverines are asking for cleaner decision-making from their starter after turnovers piled up over the last stretch, and the conversation around the position has shifted from simply supporting Underwood to making sure the ball security issue gets fixed quickly.
Head coach Whittingham made it clear the standard is not going to change, and Tommy Carr is sitting there as a credible alternative if it does not. Carr has earned positive reviews in practice and in limited game action, which gives Michigan a real option should the mistakes continue, turning what looked like a settled job into a situation worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]