With the transfer portal window all but shut, Michigan’s 2026 roster is nearly set in stone-and on the offensive side of the ball, the Wolverines have quietly built one of the more balanced and explosive units in the Big Ten. There may still be a few tweaks around the edges, but the heavy lifting is done. And when you take a closer look at how this offense is shaping up, it’s hard not to be impressed by what Michigan has put together.
Let’s break it down, position by position, and take a look at what the two-deep depth chart could look like heading into spring.
Quarterback
QB1: Bryce Underwood
QB2: Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi
This one’s straightforward. Bryce Underwood is the guy-and don’t let the quiet offseason around his name fool you.
Underwood may have been overhyped early in his college career, but heading into his sophomore season, he might actually be underrated. Remember, this is a kid who didn’t even have a dedicated quarterbacks coach when he arrived on campus at 17.
That’s not ideal for any young signal-caller, and it showed in his fundamentals.
But the growth last season was real. Now, with Jason Beck and Koy Detmer Jr. in his corner, Underwood is primed to take a significant leap. He’s got the tools, and now he’s got the support system.
Behind him, Michigan added a steady hand in Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, who brings starting experience and gives the Wolverines a reliable backup option.
Running Back
RB1: Jordan Marshall
RB2: Savion Hiter / Bryson Kuzdal
Jordan Marshall is the clear RB1, and that’s great news for Michigan. The Cincinnati native was already one of the top backs in the Big Ten last year-and that was while battling through injuries.
In limited action against Ohio State, he still managed 61 yards on just four carries. When healthy, he’s a difference-maker.
Savion Hiter adds a different flavor to the backfield-he’s the home-run threat. The kind of back who can turn a routine play into six points in the blink of an eye.
And don’t sleep on Bryson Kuzdal. He’s more than just depth.
Kuzdal rushed for 100 yards and three touchdowns against Maryland, and followed that up with a solid 81-yard performance on 20 carries against Texas. This might be the deepest, most versatile running back room in the conference.
Wide Receiver
**WR1s: Andrew Marsh, J.J.
Buchanan, Jaime Ffrench**
WR2s: Salesi Moa, Channing Goodwin, Jamar Browder
This wide receiver group has been retooled and reloaded-and it’s not just deeper, it’s more dynamic. J.J.
Buchanan finished 2025 on a tear, averaging 71 yards per game over the final three contests and showing he can stretch the field. He had a reception of 29+ yards in each of those games, and more than half his season production came in that late stretch.
Andrew Marsh was a breakout true freshman, hauling in 45 catches for 651 yards. He posted four games with at least 76 receiving yards, and twice went over the century mark in Big Ten play. Jaime Ffrench transfers in from Texas, where he was stuck in a crowded depth chart, but he’s got the talent to make an immediate impact.
Salesi Moa is another name to watch-he’s got the versatility to line up all over the field. Buchanan can play both outside and in the slot, while Marsh and Moa are dangerous from multiple alignments.
This group gives the staff a lot of flexibility. And don’t forget about Travis Johnson, Jamar Browder, or Channing Goodwin, whose blocking ability ensures he’ll continue to have a role in key packages.
Tight End / Fullback
TE1: Zach Marshall
TE2: Hogan Hansen
FB: Jalen Hoffman
Zach Marshall is a name Michigan fans are going to hear a lot more of in 2026. He caught 16 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown last season, including a 5-catch, 72-yard performance against Washington and another strong outing against Purdue. But it’s not just the receiving numbers-his blocking took a big step forward, making him the most complete tight end on the roster.
Hogan Hansen is expected to contribute more in the passing game this year, while Jalen Hoffman steps into the Max Bredeson role at fullback. That’s a physical trio that can help Michigan control the line of scrimmage and open up play-action opportunities.
Offensive Line
Starters: Blake Frazier, Andrew Babalola, Jake Guarnera, Evan Link, Andrew Sprague
Backups: Nathan Efobi, Brady Norton, Avery Gach, Lawrence Hattar, Houston Ka’aha’aina-Torres
This offensive line has the potential to be one of the best in the Big Ten-and that’s saying something. With Jim Harding now overseeing the group, the ceiling is even higher.
Andrew Babalola is a key piece to watch. If he’s healthy, he could push for a starting spot at either tackle or guard.
Evan Link is expected to move inside, which speaks to the depth and versatility up front. Someone good is going to have to slide inside, and that’s a luxury most programs don’t have.
The top eight linemen are already strong, and by the time the younger backups develop, this could be a 10-deep unit. Combine that with Michigan’s backfield, and you’ve got a recipe for a punishing ground game and a quarterback who will have time to operate.
Final Takeaway
The Wolverines didn’t just survive the transfer portal-they thrived in it. They held onto key pieces, added difference-makers, and built real depth at every offensive position. There’s still time for a few more tweaks, maybe even a late addition or two, but the foundation is set.
This offense has the potential to be one of the most balanced and explosive in the Big Ten. And if the development continues at the pace we saw late last season, Michigan could be a serious problem for anyone standing in their way.