John Henry Daley isn’t waiting around for Michigan to settle in.
The Utah transfer, one of the players Kyle Whittingham brought with him after stepping down as Utah’s head coach, said the Wolverines have a “national championship” roster and made it clear he thinks the ceiling is already that high in 2026.
“We can accomplish everything this year.”
Daley said that in an interview with Pete Nakos of On3.com, and while he stopped short of making any guarantees, the message was still loud and clear: he believes Michigan can chase everything right away. That kind of confidence fits the way Whittingham has framed the job since arriving. He’s said Michigan is a place you come to win a national championship, but first the Wolverines have to get back into the 12-team playoff for the first time after missing the past two seasons.
Daley has plenty of reason to sound bullish. He’s coming off a season with 11.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss, production that made him one of the top transfers in college football and one of the sport’s most disruptive edge defenders. Whittingham has already said this offseason that Michigan’s defensive line should be the team’s biggest strength, and Daley hasn’t even been healthy yet.
And it’s not just the front. Michigan is expected to have one of the best offensive lines in college football, one of the best running back rooms, an upgraded receiver group and a loaded secondary.
The questions are still there, though. Linebacker remains a concern, and quarterback is, too.
Bryce Underwood still has a lot to prove.
Even so, Daley’s belief lands at a time when plenty of people are quick to dismiss Underwood after just one season as a starter, that coming as a true freshman without a dedicated QB coach, as noted in the reporting. That wasn’t exactly a setup for success, and yet Underwood still posted a better freshman season than Dante Moore.
If Underwood makes the kind of leap Michigan is hoping for, and if the defense and running game live up to the hype, Daley’s confidence won’t sound so bold by the end of the year.
In Other News...
Notre Dame Just Missed On A Quarterback Recruit Fans Wanted Most
Lukas Prock had the kind of recruiting profile that tends to draw a crowd, and the quarterback from Indiana checked all the boxes for the Big Ten powers that came after him. A consensus four-star and one of the top passers in his class, Prock took visits to Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan and Florida before narrowing his focus, with his pro-style game and polished passing ability making him a natural fit for programs looking for a true pocket operator.
For Michigan, the miss is another reminder of how tight the margins can be when elite quarterbacks start weighing fit as much as brand name. Prock pointed to leadership, stability and recent success in making his decision, which is exactly the kind of pitch that can sway a recruit even when the usual blue-blood options are on the table. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Football Suddenly Has A Chance To Change Everything In 2028
Kyle Whittinghams first recruiting class at Michigan is already giving the program a different kind of buzz, and it starts with a top-15 ranking built around 15 blue-chip commitments. The Wolverines have not landed every elite target they chased, but the early returns suggest a staff that is back in the thick of the biggest recruitments, which is exactly the kind of momentum Michigan wanted to show as it tries to build a foundation for 2028.
The more interesting part is how many high-end battles still feel alive. Michigan is still pushing for several five-star prospects, and recruiting analysts believe the Wolverines have a real shot to finish with multiple headliners in the class. After missing on some early targets, the question now is whether this surge is the start of something bigger, or just the opening act before the final decisions come down. [Read more 🡒]