While the season hasn't gone to plan for Michigan so far, there have been some bright spots. When Kyle Whittingham came to Ann Arbor, a few of his guys from Utah chose to follow their head coach through the transfer portal, landing with the Wolverines, too.
Whittingham had some great players come through Utah, and a few of those guys followed him to Michigan. Before the season began, there was hype around some of these transfers, and a few of them have lived up to the hype so far in their first season with the Wolverines.
So, with the bye week here, let's take a look at three Utah transfers who have performed well for Whittingham, this time at Michigan.
CB Smith Snowden
Cornerback Smith Snowden took some time to get going after coming off an injury-riddled season at Utah in 2025, but he stepped into a very talented Michigan secondary and has thrived. There have been moments here and there where he gets beat, or a receiver simply makes a better play, like the final Iowa touchdown, but he has still dominated in the secondary.
Snowden has put together a fairly good first half of the season with 14 total tackles, 12 solo tackles, and two passes defended. His best play so far was his interception against Minnesota. Snowden's interception set Michigan up with its best field position of the day and led to the only offensive touchdown.
WR JJ Buchanan
JJ Buchanan is probably the best transfer for Michigan overall, and it's not even close. Buchanan leads Michigan in receiving with 446 yards and four touchdowns, nearly 200 yards more than Andrew Marsh behind him and three more touchdowns.
Buchanan has been a steady target for quarterback Bryce Underwood when the passing game is rolling. Out of five games, Buchanan has had two over 100 receiving yards and at least a touchdown in three of them. As just a sophomore, Buchanan is looking like a pro-level player and could be even more talented in Ann Arbor next season, should he choose to stick around.
DE John Henry Daley
There was a lot of hype around John Henry Daley, even with him coming off an Achilles tear from last season. Daley was expected to be a disruptor for a Michigan defense that was already very talented, and he has done just that. Daley leads all guys on the Michigan defensive line in tackles with 16 total and six solo tackles.
Daley also leads the defense in sacks with three for a loss of 17 yards. Daley's bookend, Dom Nichols, has been a nightmare for opposing offensive lines, making it difficult for them to defend the quarterback. If it isn't Daley with the pressure, it's Nichols, and vice versa. Daley has lived up to the buzz around his play and could make a play for leading the Wolverines in sacks this season.
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