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 locked in, 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. However, the real battle 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.
In my opinion, the quarterback position is a fascinating one. It's a position that requires a delicate balance between experience and fresh talent. While Underwood is a proven starter, the battle for QB2 is an intriguing one. Carr's strong showing in the spring game is a positive sign, but Fowler-Nicolosi's arrival could shake things up. It will be interesting to see how the coaching staff navigates this situation and who ultimately emerges as the backup quarterback.
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.
From my perspective, the running back position is a crucial one for any football team. It's a position that requires a combination of speed, power, and agility. Marshall and Hiter are a strong duo at the top, but the battle for the No. 3 spot is an intriguing one. Kuzdzal's proven ability to handle a heavy workload is a positive sign, but the injury to Ka'apana could create an opportunity for Brown or O'Meara. It will be interesting to see how the coaching staff navigates this situation and who ultimately emerges as the backup running back.
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.
One thing that immediately stands out is the depth at the wide receiver position. Marsh, Buchanan, Moa, and Ffrench are a strong group of starters, but the battle for the No. 5 spot is an intriguing one. Goodwin, Bell, Johnson, and Browder are all options to see action behind those four, and there is still plenty of time left to shore up the rotation. It will be interesting to see how the coaching staff navigates this situation and who ultimately emerges as the backup wide receivers.
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.
What many people don't realize is that the tight end position is a versatile one. It's a position that requires a combination of strength, speed, and agility. While Klein is no longer with the team, Hansen, Marshall, and Tonielli are all options to see action. The presence of H-backs like Hoffman and Owens adds another layer of complexity, and it will be interesting to see how the coaching staff navigates this situation and who ultimately emerges as the starting tight end.
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.
If you take a step back and think about it, the offensive line is a critical position for any football team. It's a position that requires a combination of strength, agility, and coordination. Sprague, Link, Frazier, and Babalola are all options to see action at tackle, and the battle for the No. 6 spot is an intriguing one. Guarnera is the only true center option with experience, and the guard positions are still open. It will be interesting to see how the coaching staff navigates this situation and who ultimately emerges as the starting offensive linemen.
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.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the depth at the defensive line position. Daley is expected to be the centerpiece, but the battle for the No. 2 spot is an intriguing one. Brandt, Nichols, and Marshall are all options to see action, and the fact that Brandt played the most snaps of any returning edge in 2025 is a positive sign. Nichols' high grade overall is also a positive sign, and it will be interesting to see how the coaching staff navigates this situation and who ultimately emerges as the starting defensive linemen.
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.
One thing that immediately stands out is the loss of experience at the linebacker position. Bowles, Taylor, and Owusu-Boateng are a strong group of returning players, but the battle for the No. 2 spot is an intriguing one. Staehling's arrival could create an opportunity for others, and it will be interesting to see how the coaching staff navigates this situation and who ultimately emerges as the starting linebackers.
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.
What this really suggests is that the secondary position is a complex one. It's a position that requires a combination of speed, agility, and coordination. Bracy, Curtis, and Moore are a strong group of returning players, but the battle for the No. 2 spot is an intriguing one. Berry, Snowden, and Hill are all options to see action at corner, and it will be interesting to see how the coaching staff navigates this situation and who ultimately emerges as the starting secondary players.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 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 locked in, others are trending in a particular direction, and a few are still wide open. The next few months — and especially fall camp — will go a long way in determining how all this settles before Week 1. Personally, I think the Wolverines have a strong core of players, but the battle for the starting spots is an intriguing one. It will be interesting to see how the coaching staff navigates these situations and who ultimately emerges as the starters.
