The Michigan Wolverines' spring ball has provided a glimpse into the team's position group battles, but many questions remain unanswered. While some spots seem settled, others are trending in a particular direction, and a few are still wide open. With a few months to go before fall camp, here's an in-depth look at the current state of affairs.
Quarterback
The quarterback position is as settled as it gets at the top. Bryce Underwood is QB1, and nothing has changed that. Kyle Whittingham made that clear, even with true freshman Tommy Carr putting together a strong showing in the spring game. The real battle here is for QB2. Carr, who showed good decision-making and didn't look overwhelmed in the game, took all those reps this spring and likely has the inside track. But that's still something to monitor once Colorado State transfer Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi makes his way onto campus. Personally, I think Fowler-Nicolosi will bring a different dynamic to the team, and his arrival could shake things up. What makes this particularly fascinating is the potential for a quarterback competition that could benefit the team in the long run. In my opinion, the presence of two talented quarterbacks will push each other to improve and ultimately benefit the team's success.
Running Back
Running back feels clearly defined at the top as well. Jordan Marshall is RB1, while freshman Savion Hiter is going to have a role right away. The staff has been very open about that, and everything we've seen backs that up. Where things get a little more interesting is behind those two. Bryson Kuzdzal has already proven he can handle a heavy workload if needed, so he feels locked in as the No. 3 option. With Micah Ka'apana out for the season, Jonathan Brown or Tomas O'Meara could be next in line, but that spot could still shift before the season starts. One thing that immediately stands out is the depth at the running back position. The staff's confidence in Hiter and the potential for a three-back rotation is intriguing. What many people don't realize is that the running back position is not just about speed and power; it's also about versatility and adaptability. The staff's approach to developing Hiter and utilizing a three-back rotation could be a game-changer for the team's offensive strategy.
Wide Receiver
This is where things start to tighten up. Andrew Marsh, J.J. Buchanan, Salesi Moa, and Jaime Ffrench are already on record from Whittingham as the top four options right now, but there’s a lot to be figured out after that. Channing Goodwin, Kendrick Bell, Travis Johnson, and Jamar Browder are all options to see action behind those four. There is still plenty of time left to shore up the rotation, but it’s nice to see things somewhat settled for the starters of this group heading into summer. From my perspective, the wide receiver position is a crucial part of the team's success. The staff's confidence in the top four options is encouraging, and the depth behind them is promising. What this really suggests is that the team has a strong core of receivers who can step up and make plays when needed. The battle for the starting spots behind the top four is an exciting prospect, and it will be interesting to see how the staff utilizes the depth at this position.
Tight End
This group is less about a clear battle and more about figuring out what it looks like in the new offense. With Marlin Klein off to the NFL, there isn't a proven No. 1 option. Hogan Hansen, Zack Marshall, and Deakon Tonielli have all played, but none have carried the load for a full season. Marshall feels like the best bet to emerge, especially considering his 2025 snap count, but this is a group that may be used differently depending on how the offense evolves under Jason Beck. The presence of H-backs like Jalen Hoffman and Eli Owens adds another layer, and how those pieces are used could shape this room more than a traditional depth chart would. Personally, I think the tight end position is an area where the team can really shine. The staff's approach to utilizing H-backs and evolving the offense under Beck could be a game-changer for the team's success. What makes this particularly fascinating is the potential for the tight ends to become a versatile and dynamic part of the offense. In my opinion, the staff's creativity and adaptability at this position will be a key factor in the team's overall success.
Offensive Line
This one's less about finding bodies and more about deciding who works best where. Andrew Sprague, Evan Link, Blake Frazier, and Andrew Babalola all factor in at tackle, and it feels like three of those four will start with the fourth sliding into that sixth-man role. Inside, Jake Guarnera is the only true center option with experience, which makes that spot important to solidify. The guard positions are still open, with players like Nathan Efobi and Brady Norton competing. This group will likely look different in fall camp than it did in the spring. From my perspective, the offensive line is a crucial part of the team's success. The staff's approach to deciding who works best where and solidifying the center position is encouraging. What this really suggests is that the team has a strong core of offensive linemen who can step up and protect the quarterback. The competition for the starting spots and the potential for a dynamic offensive line will be a key factor in the team's overall success.
Defensive Line
Things feel a lot more stable here than they might have looked on paper a few months ago, with the Wolverines' depth at edge presenting the only real question mark. John Henry Daley is expected to be the centerpiece off the edge once he’s fully back, and behind him there are a few names that will continue competing. Cameron Brandt, Dominic Nichols, and Nate Marshall are all in the mix, with Marshall in particular being an interesting option as a once-highly-touted recruit stepping into his sophomore season. It’s also worth noting Brandt played the most snaps of any returning edge in 2025, and Nichols was one of the defense’s highest-graded overall players. Inside, Enow Etta and Trey Pierce boast plenty of experience to anchor things, with guys like Jonah Lea’ea also pushing for significant time. This doesn’t feel like a position battle as much as it does a rotation taking shape. Personally, I think the defensive line is an area where the team can really shine. The staff's approach to utilizing the depth at edge and the rotation at inside is encouraging. What makes this particularly fascinating is the potential for the defensive line to become a dominant force on the field. In my opinion, the staff's creativity and adaptability at this position will be a key factor in the team's overall success.
Linebacker
This room lost a lot of experience, and while there’s room for optimism, it’s still iffy. Troy Bowles, Chase Taylor, and Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng were the three names Whittingham pointed to at this position coming out of spring ball, which says a lot about how things are trending. Transfers like Nathaniel Staehling will factor in at some point, but as of now, the core looks like it’s coming from the returning group. This is a position that may continue to evolve through the summer. From my perspective, the linebacker position is an area where the team can really shine. The staff's approach to utilizing the returning group and the potential for transfers to factor in is encouraging. What this really suggests is that the team has a strong core of linebackers who can step up and make plays when needed. The battle for the starting spots and the potential for a dynamic linebacker corps will be a key factor in the team's overall success.
Secondary
There’s a solid mix of stability and unknown here. The safety group should be anchored by veteran transfer Chris Bracy and players like Mason Curtis (and Rod Moore if he’s fully healthy). Around them, Jordan Young give Michigan youth and a bit of experience on the back end. There’s still some sorting out to do at corner, but mostly just stemming from an interesting battle for the starting nickel job. Zeke Berry and Smith Snowden both have experience there, and Jay Hill has been taking his time figuring out the best fit. That’s really where things stand coming out of spring. Personally, I think the secondary is an area where the team can really shine. The staff's approach to utilizing the veteran transfer Bracy and the youth and experience of Jordan Young is encouraging. What makes this particularly fascinating is the potential for the secondary to become a strong and cohesive unit. In my opinion, the staff's creativity and adaptability at this position will be a key factor in the team's overall success.
In conclusion, the Michigan Wolverines' spring ball has provided a glimpse into the team's position group battles, but many questions remain unanswered. The next few months, and especially fall camp, will go a long way in determining how all this settles before Week 1. The staff's approach to utilizing the depth and versatility at each position is encouraging, and the potential for a dynamic and cohesive unit is promising. From my perspective, the team has a strong core of players who can step up and make plays when needed. The battle for the starting spots and the potential for a dominant force on the field will be a key factor in the team's overall success.
