A lot of the focus recently has been on Michigan Football's defense heading into 2026. It's the side of the ball that saw the most transfers out, and it's the side with the most questions. The Wolverines saw tons of players in the secondary transfer out, they're losing their top 3-4 linebackers from 2025 (depending on how you classify Jaishawn Barham), and outside of John Henry Daley, they didn't really bolster the defensive line.
That talk is all justified. For a team to reach the top tier of college football, they need to be great on offense and defense, and right now Michigan's defense is facing a lot of questions. The offense, however, looks like it could be one of the best that Michigan has ever had.
Kyle Whittingham has done a masterful job on the offensive side of the ball thus far. He was able to retain key players at every position. In the aftermath of Sherrone Moore's firing, it looked relatively likely that Michigan was going to lose Bryce Underwood, Andrew Marsh, and a whole lot more. Whittingham was able to retain almost everyone, with the only major departure coming from Justice Haynes, who was just too expensive considering the depth Michigan has at RB.
Add in the additions of Jaime Ffrench and JJ Buchanan at the wide receiver position, who both offer star potential, and this is a scary offense on paper. Bryce Underwood is going to have weapons everywhere he looks. From Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter in the backfield, to the electric trio of wide receivers on the outside. Oh, and Michigan returns the core of its offensive line, along with Andrew Babalola returning from injury.
Michigan football has the talent for an elite offense
So it's clear that the talent is there. What's just as exciting is the quality of the coaching staff that Kyle Whittingham has built. Jason Beck just had Utah ranked as a top 5 offense in the country. They were extremely good at running the ball, and quarterback Devon Dampier put up stats that would rank as some of the best ever for the maize and blue. Michigan fans should be extremely excited about what Beck is going to bring to Ann Arbor.
Along with Beck, new offensive line coach Jim Harding is widely regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches in the nation and is set to potentially have two offensive lineman from Utah taken in the first round of the NFL draft this year. Michigan's best offensive position coach the past two seasons, running backs coach Tony Alford, remains on staff.
You just can't say enough good about this coaching staff. Add in the fact that Bryce Underwood finally has a dedicated quarterbacks coach in Koy Detmer Jr, and 2026 could be an elite offensive season.
Looking around the Big Ten, it's hard to find an offense that will definitively be better than the Wolverines. Ohio State will be great, as always, but they appear to be losing more than they're gaining. Oregon could be great, but wasn't impressive against good competition in 2025. Indiana has to replace everybody. Next season could be historically good for the Wolverines offense. Enjoy it.