Fall camp is done, and Michigan is almost ready to line up next Saturday against Western Michigan. With Jason Beck now steering the offense, the Wolverines have a clearer picture of what the first offensive two-deep should look like.
At quarterback, there really isn’t much mystery. Bryce Underwood is the guy.
After a shaky 2025 season, he’s drawn praise from the staff for his work ethic and the progress he made during camp. His footwork has been a point of emphasis, and he’s taken to Beck’s offense.
The backup spot is less settled. Tommy Carr had the early edge in the spring, but Colorado State transfer Brayden Folwer-Nicolosi has made a strong push and shown the kind of veteran presence that keeps this competition alive. Michigan hasn’t officially labeled a QB2, but if Underwood were to go down, the veteran would be the best guess.
The backfield is where things get especially interesting. Jordan Marshall is back after coming close to 1,000 rushing yards last season, even though he opened the year as a reserve and later dealt with an injury.
He’ll be joined by five-star Savion Hiter, who looks every bit like a starter with his power and unexpected burst. Bryson Kuzdzal is the likely third back, and Beck has made sure he hasn’t slipped out of the conversation.
That matters because Beck’s offenses have finished No. 2 nationally in rushing in back-to-back seasons. Michigan looks built to lean on the ground game again.
At receiver, Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan feel set. Both sophomores are coming off their freshman seasons with a chance to take another step, and Marsh already had chemistry with Underwood. Their ability to complement each other should matter as Michigan sorts out touches.
The real battle comes next. WR3 is still up for grabs, with Jaime Ffrench getting the nod in my view because he brings a year of experience over Salesi Moa. Moa could absolutely win the job, though, and after those four, Travis Johnson and Channing Goodwin have both emerged to give Michigan six players it can trust.
Tight end looks like a committee, but Zack Marshall appears to be the first one out there. Behind him, Hogan Hansen, Deakon Tonielli and freshman Mason Bonner all figure to play, with Bonner projecting as a pass-catching option.
Jalen Hoffman shouldn’t be overlooked either. He backed up Max Bredeson last season, and when Michigan goes under center, Hoffman should be part of the package. His receiving skills have improved, and he could carve out snaps at tight end.
Up front, the biggest question is right guard. Nate Efobi and Brady Norton are locked in a battle for that spot, and Efobi has the edge for now. Norton could still be in the mix in Week 1 against Western Michigan, so this one is very much alive.
The left side of the line has taken a hit with Andrew Babalola dealing with a minor setback, which means Blake Frazier is the player Michigan will lean on at left tackle. Even so, Babalola should still have a role as the “rhino” or sixth lineman this season.
In Other News...
Michigan Has One Andrew Sprague Decision That Could Change Everything Up Front
Andrew Sprague has already put himself in a key spot on Michigans offensive line, with the right tackle job currently viewed as his to lose after a strong season of grading from Pro Football Focus. For a program that always measures its line play by how well it can protect the quarterback and control the line of scrimmage, Spragues emergence gives the Wolverines a real foundation to build on up front.
But the bigger question is whether Michigan leaves him where he is or starts exploring a move that could change the shape of the whole line under Jim Harding. Sliding Sprague to left tackle would be a major shift, one that could accelerate his development while also putting a proven blocker on the blindside, and it is the kind of decision that can ripple through the rest of the depth chart even before summer competition fully settles it. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Commit Is Already Sounding Like A Future Class Leader
Lundon Hampton is wasting no time looking like more than just a name in Michigans 2027 class. The running back, who is already committed to the Wolverines, opened the season by scoring two touchdowns for Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills and continues to stay in close contact with Michigan coaches and fellow commits as he gets ready for the next step in his development.
Hamptons mindset is one of the reasons he stands out in the class early on. He has talked about improving himself while helping a team chase bigger goals, and he is already preparing to enroll early at Michigan. For a program that values future leaders as much as future playmakers, Hamptons approach suggests he may be building toward exactly that kind of role. [Read more 🡒]
Michigans Whittingham Era Starts With One Massive Pressure Point
Kyle Whittinghams first season in Ann Arbor arrives with plenty of attention already attached to it, and not just because a new coach always draws a fresh round of projection. Michigan is staring at a demanding path from the start, with an opener next Saturday night against Western Michigan and a schedule loaded with heavyweight opponents that will quickly show whether the program can keep pace after the transition. The good news for the Wolverines is that the roster is built around the kind of identity that travels, with an offense expected to lean on the run and a defense that should still have enough structure to keep Michigan in games.
The questions are less about whether the pieces are there than about how fast they can mesh under a new staff. Quarterback Bryce Underwood is being viewed as a possible breakout name, while Jordan Marshall has the look of a back who could help define the offense if he takes the expected step forward. Add in the potential lift from Savion Hiter and the presence of Jay Hill coordinating the defense, and there is no shortage of reasons to think Michigan can contend. Still, the opening stretch of the season will tell a lot, and the margin for settling in may be slimmer than usual. [Read more 🡒]