Michigan is lining up another midseason roster boost, and this one could hit the defense hard.
After reports surfaced Wednesday that the Wolverines could bring in former Tulane and Miami tight end Alex Bauman, On3’s Pete Nakos also reported that Michigan could add former Cal and Boise State cornerback Jeremiah Earby to the 2026 roster. Both players were granted a fifth year of eligibility by the Washtenaw County Circuit Court, which issued them a temporary restraining order against the NCAA.
There’s another key detail here: reports say both Bauman and Earby are currently enrolled at Michigan. Neither one was selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, and neither signed an undrafted free agent contract.
Earby’s college path runs through two stops. He spent two seasons at Cal before finishing his career at Boise State, where he played his final two years. With the NCAA now operating under the new five-for-five rule, players from the 2025 class have been fighting for that extra season of eligibility.
At Boise State, Earby gave the Broncos exactly the kind of production Michigan is looking for. He started all 28 games over his two seasons there and earned second-team All-Mountain West honors last season. Across those two years, he posted 94 tackles, 20 passes deflected, five interceptions, and 2.5 tackles for loss.
The fit makes sense for a Michigan secondary that could use more bodies. Kyle Whittingham has been outspoken about the Wolverines’ lack of depth at cornerback. Even though Michigan has already played five games and is entering its sixth, Earby would still be a meaningful addition to that room.
The Wolverines are comfortable with Jyaire Hill, Zeke Berry, Smith Snowden, and Shamri Earls, but the drop-off after that group is a real concern. Michigan is one injury away from needing another corner to step into a bigger role, and Earby would help address that immediately.
There’s also a connection point built in. Earby is a 6-foot-2 cornerback, and he has familiarity with Michigan coach Tyler Stockton, who came to the Wolverines from Boise State after coaching the Broncos from 2024-25.
Michigan’s football program now appears to be in position to add two fifth-year players in the middle of the season, with Bauman and Earby both trending toward joining the roster.
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