There’s no doubt last Saturday was incredibly disappointing. Losing to the Buckeyes is one thing, but being entirely outclassed on both sides of the ball is another. With a mostly meaningless bowl game on deck, you’d be forgiven if you already started putting together your transfer portal wish list.
What positions does Michigan need to target this offseason?
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There are several caveats we need to get out of the way right away. We don’t know which Michigan players intend to enter the NFL Draft or the transfer portal (outside of offensive lineman Connor Jones). In this day and age, retaining your entire roster is impossible. We also don’t know if the coaching staff is entirely settled, which will determine additional portal exits. With that said, let’s dive in.
At quarterback, only Jake Garcia is out of eligibility, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Mikey Keene call it a career as well. It would be downright shocking if all of Keene, Davis Warren, Jadyn Davis and Chase Herbstreit returned to back up Bryce Underwood. Michigan could look to the portal, but would likely have just about as much luck as last offseason.
At the skill positions on offense, Justice Haynes has an NFL decision to make. Heading into 2025, it was assumed he would be a one-year rental. However, his injuries might force him to reconsider. At wide receiver, Donaven McCulley, Peyton O’Leary, C.J. Charleston and Joe Taylor are out of eligibility. There are still several bodies returning opposite Andrew Marsh, but the quality is certainly in question. Expect this to be a focal point of Michigan’s portal shopping.
Max Bredeson is the only “tight end” out of eligibility. He already has an heir apparent in Jalen Hoffman. The rest of the tight end room seems fairly well stocked.
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On the offensive line, expect quite a bit of shuffling to occur. Jake Guarnera was recruited as a center and could easily slide over to for Greg Crippen. Additionally, Evan Link seems like a natural fit at guard once he is fully healthy, despite playing left tackle to start this season. Only Crippen, Giovanni El-Hadi and Lawrence Hattar are out of eligibility, meaning the roster is stacked with young talent. However, you can never have too many offensive linemen, so this is never out of question.
Quite a bit of the defensive line will be lost to graduation and/or the NFL Draft, as Tre Williams, Damon Payne, Ike Iwunnah, Rayshaun Benny, Derrick Moore and T.J. Guy will all be gone. Trey Pierce and Enow Etta will likely anchor the interior, but there isn’t a ton of depth. At edge, Michigan only returns Cam Brandt, Nate Marshall and Dominic Nichols.
At linebacker, the Wolverines are set to lose Jaishawn Barham, Ernest Hausmann and Jaydon Hood. However, Jimmy Rolder and Cole Sullivan should return (barring NFL interest for Rolder). There is also significant depth set to return in Nate Owusu-Boateng, Chase Taylor and Troy Bowles. This room seems well stocked.
Zeke Berry is another interesting stay/go candidate. The secondary could use his services next year alongside Jyaire Hill. Only Caleb Anderson is out of eligibility at corner. However, between JoJo Edmond, Shamari Earls and Jayden Sanders, Michigan seems in a good spot at cornerback.
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At safety and nickel, the depth chart is anyone’s guess for 2026. Rod Moore could return if he’s able to get a medical redshirt. Every other player can return as well, though no one has a starting role written in ink.
Among the specialists, Michigan will be looking for a new kicker with Dominic Zvada sadly out of eligibility. Hudson Hollenbeck could return, though his 11-yard punt in The Game will be etched in my brain for quite some time. Expect a near total overhaul in this department with the firing of JB Brown.
In summary, the most obvious needs I see are at wide receiver, nose tackle and edge, though reinforcements could be used at guard, safety, kicker and punter.
What positions do you think the coaching staff should target this offseason? Is an entire overhaul necessary or just selective additions? Are there any specific players you have on your radar? Let us know in the comments section below.
