Michigan football head coach Kyle Whittingham met with the media on Friday as the Wolverines are closing in on end of fall camp.
Whittingham offered up some interesting information. He said the offensive line starters were set, but that Michigan football wouldn't announce the starters, or release a depth chart ahead of the Western Michigan game.
That's nothing new to Michigan fans. Jim Harbaugh never released a depth chart. What was even more interesting was Whittingham naming some players who have stood out in fall camp, or been surprising based on their performances.
Some of Michigan's biggest surprises during fall camp are encouraging
According to Brice Marich of The Michigan Insider, Channing Goodwin is one of those surprises. It's not the first time we have heard buzz about him either. He was mentioned as one of the most underrated players in camp, and Whittingham's words only reinforce that.
Goodwin is going to have a role this season. Jason Beck said it's no block no rock, and there isn't a better blocker in the receiver group than Goodwin.
Whittingam also noted three players at the same position who are standing out: Carter Meadowns, Nate Marshall and Tariq Boney.
All three play EDGE. Boney and Meadows are true freshmen, while Marshall is a sophomore who is a former top-50 recruit in his own right. John Henry Daley, the preseason All-American, is going to be the Wolverines' best pass rusher, but others need to emerge.
Meadows came to fall camp at 252 pounds, according to the official roster. He was the No. 9 recruit in the 2026 class, via the 247 Sports composite rankings. Boney was a four-star, but rated much lower. Fans have been sleeping on him since his commitment. He's explosive around the edge, and pairing that trio with Henry Daley, Cameron Brandt, and Dominic Nichols is exciting.
There are others who could have a big role to play, but the fact that Whittingham has already mentioned Meadows, the five-star recruit, as a "surprise" is a great sign. Defensive linemen take time to develop, so fans shouldn't expect a massive year from Meadows, although you never know; he's probably the most talented EDGE the Wolverines have signed since Aidan Hutchinson or Rashan Gary, although Gary really wasn't an EDGE at Michigan.
Still, the thought of Meadows, Marshall, and Boney getting after the quarterback for the next few years is fun, especially with all of the talent at defensive tackle. The D-line room is loaded, not only for 2026, but for the future, too.
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