The Michigan football roster under first-year head coach Kyle Whittingham is strong, strong enough to make the College Football Playoff.
The Wolverines have a talented quarterback in Bryce Underwood, who already has a nine-win season under his belt as a starter. Underwood is going to play better next season. The entire Michigan football team should be better, although the schedule is more challenging.
That's why having as many good players as possible at every position is important. You can never have too much talent. Yet, one area where the Wolverines might be lacking talent, or proven production, is at linebacker.
Whittingham did a great job of retaining the current players on the roster. One player he wasn't able to retain was linebacker Cole Sullivan. He had a breakout season for the Wovlerines in 2025. Jimmy Rolder, the other starter, left for the NFL.
Linebacker was one position where Michigan football wasn't able to add what people would call a major pickup. The Wolverines added Nathan Staehling from North Dakota State, as well as some career backups, but no sure-fire starters.
Looking back, that might be a good thing, because those starters might have been on the roster already. Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, a former five-star recruit (Rivals), "moves like a safety" according to Brad Crawford of CBS Sports, who outlined Owusu-Boateng as a breakout candidate to watch for the Wolverines.
CBS predicts a breakout candidate that would be huge for Michigan football
"One of six expected new starters defensively for the Wolverines, Owusu-Boateng co-anchors the linebacking core with Nathan Staehling, a transfer from North Dakota State. A former four-star recruit, Owusu-Boateng is the younger brother of NFL linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and shares similar athletic traits, including speed in space. Owusu-Boateng moves like a safety and will be a coveted piece for Kyle Whittingham and Michigan's defensive staff in blitzing and pass-rush situations," Crawford wrote.
Chase Taylor and Troy Bowles have also drawn praise this spring. With Staehling also on the roster, Michigan's linebacking group looks a lot better than expected. It has the potential to be at least.
The defensive line should have a strong pass rush, especially with John Henry Daley expected to make a full return this fall. Trey Pierce and Enow Etta are each expected to take huge leaps this season, while the secondary is loaded with experience. Zeke Berry, Jyaire Hill, and Smith Snowden headline the back end, along with Rod Moore.
So if Owusu-Boateng can become a playmaker at linebacker, all of the boxes on defense will be checked.
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