Michigan's running back room is often talked about as one of the best in college football, but based on some recent developments, the secondary might need to be in the conversation, too, more specfically, the cornerbacks.
Michigan football already has one of the most proven cornerback rooms in college football, with Jyaire Hill, Zeke Berry, and Smith Snowden all expected to see snaps and essentially start this season.
One of those three, most likely Snowden, will play the nickel role. All three players earned some postseason honors in their conference last season and combined for four interceptions and 26 pass breakups.
As far as cornerback trios go, Michigan matches up well with just about anyone, and with teams like Oregon, Ohio State, Indiana, and Oklahoma on the schedule, it's a good thing.
It's also true that you can never have enough guys who can cover. The 2023 Michigan football team was a great example of that, and they used just about everyone to hold down Washington in the national championship game, including a great effort from Keon Sabb.
Rising sophomore poised for a breakout season in Michigan football secondary
Looking back at the 2025 recruiting class, one of the top-ranked signees was Shamari Earls, a 6-foot-2 cornerback that the Wolverines flipped away from Georgia. At 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Earls saw action in six games last season for Michigan football.
Fans were waiting for the light switch to come on. It has come on for quarterback Bryce Underwood, and it appears that the moment has come for Earls, too, in his second year with the program.
“Shamari has been playing like a starter," Michigan cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford said on Tuesday, which is another really positive sign for the Michigan defense.
Earls was compared to Will Johnson by some when he arrived in Ann Arbor, but he wasn't able to make an impact as early. Adding another 6-foot-2 cornerback who is starting-caliber is a nice thing for the Wolverines to have, especially with some of the teams and players on the schedule.
Hill is also 6-foot-2. Jamarion Vincent, a true freshman who has looked good early, is also 6-foot-2. Hill will be gone after this season, making the development of Earls and someone like Vincent critical for the future.
The Wolverines could lose their top three cornerbacks, so Earls needs to play like a starter, with guys like Vincent and Jo'Ziah Edmond not far behind.
As far as the 2026 season though, Michigan's pass defense will be stingy, to say the least, especially Earls shines as he has in fall camp.
Add us as a preferred source on Google