The dust hasn't even settled on the coaching carousel, and honestly, the uofm football depth chart looks like a jigsaw puzzle that someone dropped down a flight of stairs. If you’re a Michigan fan, you’ve probably spent the last week hitting "refresh" on every portal tracker in existence. It’s been a wild ride.
Between Sherrone Moore’s departure and the arrival of Kyle Whittingham, the roster has basically been through a blender. One day, everyone’s leaving; the next, the "LFG147" campaign brings back the foundational pieces. It’s chaotic. It’s stressful. But if you look closely at the actual movement, this depth chart is starting to make a lot of sense in a very "Utah-meets-Ann-Arbor" kind of way.
The Bryce Underwood Era is Officially Here
Let's not bury the lead. The single most important piece of the 2026 puzzle is Bryce Underwood staying put. There was that terrifying moment where it felt like he might follow the coaching exodus, but that $12 million NIL package and Whittingham's track record with tough, mobile QBs sealed the deal.
Underwood isn't just a starter; he's the system.
Behind him, the room looks completely different than it did six months ago. Jadyn Davis is out, seeking a clearer path to playing time elsewhere. In his place, Michigan grabbed Colin Hurley from LSU. Hurley is a fascinating addition because he never saw the field in Baton Rouge, but the raw tools are undeniable. He’s the prototypical backup for a Whittingham offense—big, strong-armed, and willing to take a hit.
Then there’s Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, the Colorado State transfer. He’s the insurance policy. You don't bring in a guy with 3,000-yard passing seasons just to hold a clipboard, but he knows he’s competing for the QB2 spot.
Weapons of Mass Destruction: The New-Look Skill Positions
If you were worried about the wide receiver room after Fredrick Moore and Semaj Morgan hit the portal, you can breathe now.
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Jaime Ffrench is the name you need to know. Transferring in from Texas, he’s basically a walking highlight reel. Pairing him with Travis Johnson, the elite freshman signee, gives Underwood two vertical threats that Michigan simply hasn't had simultaneously in years.
- WR1: Jaime Ffrench (The deep threat)
- WR2: Travis Johnson (The physical freak)
- Slot: Andrew Marsh (Freshman All-American)
But the real "Whittingham special" is happening at tight end. Marlin Klein is NFL-bound, but the staff managed to pull J.J. Buchanan from Utah. Buchanan is a matchup nightmare—6-foot-3, moves like a receiver, but blocks like a tackle. He’ll likely share time with Hogan Hansen, who finally seems healthy after a frustrating 2025 campaign.
The backfield is just as crowded. With Jordan Marshall returning and Taylor Tatum coming in from Oklahoma, the "thunder and lightning" dynamic is alive and well. Tatum is particularly interesting because he’s a true three-down back who can catch out of the backfield, something this offense desperately needs to keep defenses from stacking the box against Underwood.
The "Best Five" on the Offensive Line
The offensive line was the biggest question mark heading into January. For a minute there, it looked like every starter was jumping ship. Then the "re-recruitment" started.
Jake Guarnera and Andrew Sprague are back. That is huge.
Guarnera is moving to his natural home at center. Last year, he played right guard and was actually the team's best run blocker according to PFF. Moving him to center solidifies the communication upfront. Sprague will likely lock down the left tackle spot, protecting Underwood’s blind side.
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The interior is where it gets interesting. Houston Ka'aha'aina-Torres comes over from Nebraska. He’s a brawler. He fits the Harding/Whittingham mold perfectly—low center of gravity, high motor. Expect him to battle with Evan Link and Blake Frazier for those guard spots.
Rebuilding the "No-Fly Zone"
Defense is where the most turnover happened. The secondary was gutted. TJ Metcalf, Brandyn Hillman, and Jayden Sanders are all gone.
It felt like a crisis until Smith Snowden committed.
Snowden is a Utah transfer with 24 starts under his belt. He’s a plug-and-play corner who understands Jay Hill’s defensive scheme better than anyone else in the building. He’ll be the veteran leader of a group that includes Zeke Berry, who thankfully decided to withdraw from the portal.
Projected Defensive Starters:
- EDGE: Carter Meadows / Enow Etta
- DT: Trey Pierce / Jonah Lea’ea
- LB: Christian Pierce / Max Alford
- CB: Smith Snowden / Zeke Berry
- S: Chris Bracy / Jordan Young
The defensive line actually looks stout. Getting Enow Etta back was a massive win for the new staff. He and Trey Pierce (whose brother Christian also joined as a transfer linebacker) will anchor the middle. It’s a blue-collar front that won’t necessarily lead the nation in sacks, but they are going to be miserable to run against.
Why This Depth Chart Actually Works
Most people look at the transfer portal numbers and panic. "Michigan lost 15 guys!" Yeah, but look at who they gained.
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Kyle Whittingham didn't come here to run a finesse offense. He brought in Max Alford at linebacker and Jonah Lea’ea on the DL—guys who played for him or his coordinators at Utah. They know the culture. They know the expectations.
The uofm football depth chart isn't just a list of talent; it’s a list of guys who fit a very specific, physical identity.
Is there a lack of depth at safety? Absolutely. One or two injuries in the secondary could be catastrophic. Is the kicker situation settled? Trey Butkowski from Pitt is a Freshman All-American, so that’s a start, but special teams are always a gamble in the Big Ten.
Your Move: What to Watch This Spring
The spring game is going to be less about "who wins" and more about "who communicates."
- Watch the OL communication: With Guarnera at center, see how the line handles stunts and delayed blitzes.
- The Underwood-Ffrench Connection: Does the timing look natural, or are they still thinking too much?
- The Nickel Spot: Zeke Berry is versatile, but where does the staff feel most comfortable using him?
If you're looking to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the second-string defensive backs during the spring practices. That's where the season will be won or lost. If guys like Jordan Deck or Jamarion Vincent can show they belong in the rotation early, the anxiety around the secondary exodus will start to fade.
The roster isn't perfect, and it’s certainly not the same team that won a title a few years ago. It’s something new. It’s grittier, a bit more unpredictable, and built entirely around the arm of a generational quarterback.