Michigan is getting a clearer picture of a few important pieces as Saturday night’s opener against Western Michigan draws closer, and the conversation after Tuesday’s practice kept circling back to the same themes: physicality, versatility and depth.
That starts on defense, where Jonah Lea’ea says the work he’s put in this offseason has already changed how he feels on the field. Lea’ea said he came to Michigan at about 270 pounds and added 20, 25 pounds of just muscle. He said he has "definitely felt the impact" of that gain and believes he can handle a bigger role.
"I can definitely be a three-down defensive tackle," he said. "I only bring that up because if you look at the numbers I put up last year, it's a little disappointing."
Trey Pierce and Enow Etta are holding down the starting defensive tackle jobs, but Lea’ea said he expects to be in the rotation often and wants a better season than the one he had at Utah. He also had praise for Ann Arbor itself, calling it a "true college town" and saying he was surprised by how often people recognize him around town and in class. The contrast with Salt Lake stood out to him.
"Salt Lake, there's a lot to do, but you go out to eat and stuff, people don't really care who you are - which is fair," he said. In Ann Arbor, he said he feels "a lot of love" from fans.
Lea’ea also had a softer note when asked about one of Kyle Whittingham’s team traditions at Utah: the regular in-season movie night, a gathering that often includes the coach’s grandchildren. "That's something I respect about him," Lea'ea said. He also listed his top four personal movies as Slumdog Millionaire, Napoleon Dynamite, Nacho Libre and Pursuit of Happyness.
On the offensive side, one of the more interesting wrinkles in Jason Beck’s system is the "rhino" position - an extra lineman role used for run blocking, some pass protection and even the occasional catch. Beck used it heavily at Utah, where Semi Taulanga filled the spot last season at 5-foot-11 and 315-plus pounds. At Michigan, Brady Norton said the players getting the most work there right now are Manuel Beigel, Avery Gach and Marky Walbridge.
Beigel’s move is especially notable because he played defensive tackle for Michigan in 2024 and 2025. Norton described him as "very physical" in the role.
"He gets off the ball really well," he continued. "He plays with great pad level. Being a defensive lineman for so long, he knows the defensive line tendencies and what you want to do to win [a rep]."
Norton also said he has practiced only at right guard and center during fall camp.
The backfield picture is starting to come into focus, too. Bryson Kuzdzal said he is the "healthiest I've been coming out of camp" and expects to serve as RB3 this season behind Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter. Even with those two ahead of him, he believes chances will come.
"You never know till you get to game day, obviously, but they've been rotating us in and out all camp. We'll all have opportunities," he said.
Kuzdzal, who went from walk-on to Michigan’s lead back late last season because of injuries, said his offseason focus was on lateral movement and burst through the hole. He already has 76 carries for 326 yards and four touchdowns, but he said he still feels there’s more to show.
"I got out there and I ended up with good numbers, but I still don't think I played my best game. So I'm excited to get back out there," he said.
Kuzdzal also pointed to a few players he thinks could break out, naming Savion Hiter, JJ Buchanan - "I don't think he dropped a ball in camp - and Mason Curtis.
Jalen Hoffman echoed the buzz around the offense, saying Michigan’s attack is "a lot faster" this year and that the line is better in pass protection. He said Beck’s system is "fast paced, and when you're going fast paced, the defense has to make a lot of checks and communicate." Hoffman also picked Savion Hiter as his breakout player and called Mason Bonner "a really good receiving threat."
All of that comes with Western Michigan waiting at the Big House on Saturday night. Michigan’s players made it clear they’re treating the Broncos like a real threat, not an afterthought. Western Michigan won 10 of its final 11 games in 2025, returns MAC player of the year Broc Lowry at quarterback and brings back the pieces for what should be a strong run game.
"They're really well coached. I think their O-line works well together and they have a really great running back," Lea'ea said.
"They're not a team that we're taking lightly. They're a good team, so we expect them to be physical.
We're gonna go out there and and play hard. They're not just some high school team."
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 🡒]