Looking ahead to the 2026 Michigan football season, the biggest X-factor for the Wolverines that will determine success or failure will be Bryce Underwood.
The much-talked-about Michigan football quarterback led the Wolverines to a 9-4 record as a true freshman. He had ups and downs.
Underwood's development during the first season of Kyle Whittingham's tenure will be huge. The quarterback play will probably be the difference between the College Football Playoff and being in the Citrus Bowl again.
Outside of Underwood, though, who are the three biggest X-factors on this Michigan football roster? We answer that question just weeks before fall camp gets underway.
Savion Hiter
The five-star running back has been the talk of Michigan football since this spring. Whittingham gushed about him numerous times and it's clear he will be a major part of the offense.
Hiter isn't just a great running back, he can catch the ball, too. Michigan is going to take advantage of that. There could be times where Hiter and Jordan Marshall are on the field together.
Flat out, Hiter might be the most talented running back Michigan has ever signed. If you take position out of it, he's probably the best offensive player in the 2026 class, playing running back, for a team with a loaded offensive line and a head coach who loves to pound the rock.
If Hiter instantly becomes a star, as some are expecting, that could easily change the fortunes of Michigan football in 2026.
Rod Moore
After missing the entire 2024 season due to injury, Rod Moore returned to the field in 2025, but only for four games. The former All-Big Ten safety still made an impact, though.
Turn on the Wisconsin game if you think Moore isn't an impact player. The dude played 19 snaps, and delivered three critical plays, including an interception. He broke up a screen pass that would have gone for big yards, as well as making a touchdown-saving tackle on a reverse.
Moore didn't look 100 percent, though. He reportedly is 100 percent now, just like John Henry Daley and Andrew Babalola.
That would be a game-changer for Michigan. If Rod Moore can find his 2023 form, when he was an eraser in the middle of the field, like when he ended "The Game" with an interception, this defense, which is expected to be good, will be that much better.
Moore was being talked about as a potential first-round pick before his injury. If somehow Moore can be that guy again, the Wolverines' defense should thrive, especially under Jay Hill.
JJ Buchanan
The Utah transfer has barely scratched the surface of what he can be. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound wide receiver had 427 receiving yards last season on 35 receptions for the Utes as a true freshman.
However, in the last three games, his production took off. Buchanan averaged 50 yards receiving per game over the last seven games, after just 78 yards in the first six. But over the last three, he was dominant, averaging 71 yards per game after making eight receptions for 215 yards against Nebraska, Kansas, and Kansas State, making at least one reception of 29 yards in all three games.
Buchanan had catches that went for 60 yards and 58 yards against Kansas and Kansas State. He's an explosive play waiting to happen. Many have assumed he will be the No. 2 to Andrew Marsh. That's a reasonable expectation, but Buchanan has star potential.
71 yards per game over 13 equates to 931 yards. The sophomore should be dangerous this season, and if he emerges as that kind of threat across from Marsh, this Michigan passing attack will be unrecognizable.
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