Michigan football wrapped up its final scrimmage last week. Fall camp is essentially in the books with game week just one week away.
It feels like it was a productive fall camp. It was the first for Michigan football head coach Kyle Whittingham, and one of the biggest question marks was about Bryce Underwood.
After a lackluster spring game, many have questioned how he would play this season. The fall camp buzz has been positive, to say the least. That's where we begin, but here are five things we learned about Michigan football in fall camp.
The light has gone on for Bryce Underwood
Every quarterback is different in the way they develop. There's no debating that the 2025 season was not the best environment for quarterback development.
That doesn't excuse Underwood's freshman season, but the truth is that he played better than many want to give him credit for. Did he struggle against Ohio State, Oklahoma, and USC? Yes. He had good moments, too, such as the Washington and Wisconsin games. The Maryland effort was solid, too.
Underwood played very well at times against Big Ten teams as an 18-year-old freshman. During fall camp, the positive buzz has been constant. We have to see it to believe it. He needs to prove he can be effective against a defense like Oklahoma's.
However, if the light has truly come on and that Michigan offense shines against Oklahoma, fans will have reason to believe this team can do real damage.
The wide receiver room is legit
One of the concerns Michigan fans had when Underwood signed with the Wolverines was whether or not the program could supply him with sufficient receiver talent.
That question has been answered in the affirmative. J.J. Buchanan has been stellar in camp. Andrew Marsh, too. Either could be the No. 1 wide receiver. Travis Johnson, a true freshman, has consistently made plays. He should have a role this season, along with fellow freshman Salesi Moa and Texas transfer (sophomore) Jaime Ffrench.
All five of those wide receivers listed have either four or five years of eligibility. Underwood still has four. That's an exciting prospect.
The O-line room is mostly set, but much improved
If you have a great offensive line, you're going to have a great season. That's just the way it works. It was true of Michigan's three Big Ten championship teams from 2021-2023. The Wolverines had the best offensive line in just about every game they played.
Hopefully, we can say the same thing about Michigan this season. Jake Guarnera will be one of the Big Ten's best centers. Andrew Sprague (RT), Blake Frazier (LT), and Evan Link are also locked into starting roles. The other job should go to Brady Norton or Nathan Efobi.
Both players started games last season for the Wolverines. With Jim Harding, one of the best O-line coaches in the country, you have to feel like this group has improved, especially the three guys who started as redshirt freshman last season. Those players are now juniors since redshirts don't exist anymore.
Andrew Babalola has been dealing with some injuries. His role is still to be determined. There's still a chance he could start before the season is over, with Frazier maybe shifting inside.
No matter how it shakes out, the offensive line has held up well against the defensive line, the strength of the team in Kyle Whittingham's eyes, so that's a very good sign.
Again, we'll know more after Oklahoma.
Linebacker isn't really a concern
It might not have seemed like the Wolverines landed an impact linebacker from the transfer portal; however, former North Dakota State captain Nathaniel Staehling has been great in fall camp.
Staehling returned three interceptions for touchdowns last season. He was a tackling machine in the middle of the field for the Bison, and it feels like he could be starting.
Even if he doesn't start, guys like Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, Troy Bowles, and Chase Taylor have received praise this fall, too. Michigan football needed all of those guys to step up. It seems like they have; plus, Staehling could be a diamond in the rough.
Defense should be elite
Even if the Wolverines don't have any all-Big Ten selections at linebacker, the defense should be elite.
John Henry Daley is a preseason All-American. He's no longer on a pitch count either. Rod Moore also is healthier, and going through full practices.
Trey Pierce, a Michigan captain, should be an All-Big Ten performer at defensive tackle. Enow Etta feels like he's going to shine this season, while the secondary feels like the best unit on the team.
Zeke Berry, Smith Snowden, and Jyaire Hill all earned some sort of postseason honor last season in the Big Ten or Big 12. Jay Hill is one of the best at putting his defensive backs in position to make plays.
Michigan also has former All-Big Ten safety Rod Moore coming back. Chris Bracy started 11 games for Memphis last season with nine pass breakups, 81 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and an interception.
Jordan Young should also get some playing time this season, maybe as the dime back. There is competition everywhere, and talent all over the field, with a defensive coordinator who will put his players in a position to be successful.
The defense should be elite this sason in Ann Arbor.
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