Michigan has one of the most talented rosters in college football. Will it be as talented as Ohio State or Oregon? Even Georgia?
Probably not. What can close the gap, though, is the Wolverines hitting on some under-the-radar recruits and transfers, just as the Wolverines did with guys like Mason Graham and A.J. Barner.
Michigan football was able to find lower-rated recruits or transfers who turned into NFL draft picks. That's one way to overcome the blue-chip ratio.
On that note, the Wolverines have recruited very well in the past few classes. The 2027 class under first-year Michigan football head coach Kyle Whittingham is no different.
The expectation this is year is probably to win nine games. If Michigan is going to go beyond that, some new stars will need to emerge, and here are five players who have been going under the radar but could be headliners by season's end.
Dominic Nichols, EDGE
Nichols has had a strong fall camp. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound EDGE played in 12 games last season with 19 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and a sack. There have been flashes.
Nichols wasn't as highly recruited as Carter Meadows or Nate Marshall. We have heard good things about them, but if there is one pass rusher who will emerge this season, that's not a former top-100 recruit; it's Nichols.
It's not crazy to think he could have five sacks or more. Nichols might be second on the team behind John Henry Daley when it's all said and done.
Travis Johnson
When you make as many highlight-reel catches as Travis Johnson has this fall, it's hard to keep flying under the radar. The 6-foot-3 freshman seems to have a knack for jump balls.
It always felt like Johnson could or should be rated higher as a high school recruit. There is an opening for the No. 3 receiver behind Andrew Marsh and J.J. Buchanan. Jaime Ffrench will have something to say about that, but the true freshman will become one of Bryce Underwood's favorite targets this season.
Chris Bracy
Chris Bracy has turned heads since he transferred to Michigan football from Memphis. After spending two seasons with UAB, Bracy started 11 games for the Tigers last season and had nine pass breakups (leading the American Conference), as well as 9.5 tackles for loss (81 total).
Bracy had 48 solo tackles and tacked on an interception. He's got two for his career. He will be the starter opposite Rod Moore, another dude who should be a star this season.
Moore is on everyone's radar, though. We have seen him play like a first-round pick. Bracy might not be that good; however, he will be All-Big Ten good, as in earning some sort of postseason honor for his play, even if it's an honorable mention.
Hogan Hansen
Hogan Hansen has battled injuries throughout his Michigan football career, but when healthy, he's been an effective pass catcher.
Hansen has 13 career receptions for 152 yards. He had three receptions for 31 yards against Texas in the bowl game. There was a four-catch game for 50 yards previously against Illinois. He has the ability. Staying on the field is what he needs to work on.
If Hansen can do that this season, there's no reason he can't have between 400-500 yards receiving as another reliable option for Underwood. Michigan needs one in the tight end room, a reliable receiving threat. Hansen could be it.
Nathaniel Staehling
The North Dakota State transfer was viewed as more of a depth option when he first announced the move to Michigan, however, he's turned into much more than that.
It feels like Staehling will be one of Michigan football's starting linebackers. There are some young players pushing to play and start at linebacker, too, but with his experience, tackling ability, and knack for making plays on the ball, with three interceptions, and two pick sixes last season, it feels like that production wasn't a fluke.
Staehling will be on the field a lot for Michigan at linebacker, and he will play well. Think Josh Ross or Michael Barrett. Just a really good college linebacker.
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