If there was one position Michigan football would have liked to add another player this offseason, it was clearly linebacker.
The Wolverines did add three players to the position via the transfer portal, although the Wolverines only added one who was a full-time starter for his program in 2025, which was Nate Staehling, a former inside linebacker for North Dakota State.
The Bison were one of the best programs in the FCS. Now, they are part of the FBS and could even play their way into the College Football Playoff this season. Staehling played in 32 games for the Bison and was a team captain last season, as he notched 75 tackles, including 6.0 for loss with 1.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, and four pass breakups, including three interceptions (MGoBlue).
Michigan football's linebacker depth is looking better than expected
The 6-foot-3, 241-pound linebacker also returned two of those interceptions for touchdowns. There were still doubts among Michigan football fans and analysts about how much he would play. The Wolverines returned Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, Troy Bowles, and Chase Taylor, who each saw some playing time last season, with Bowles getting the most.
Owusu-Boateng is a former five-star recruit. The hope has been that he would take a step forward this season and earn a starting role. Yet, Staehling might have something to say about that. At the very least, he's making a strong case for one of the starting linebackers jobs.
According to The Wolverine, Staehling has provided a "huge boost" to the linebacker room. He was hindered by injury this spring. Now, the former FCS linebacker is healthy, and making an impact.
Staehling isn't Cole Sullivan, the guy Michigan was trying to replace this offseason after he transferred to Oklahoma, but he's shown some playmaking ability. Brice Marich of The Michigan Insider also noted that he's had a really strong camp and that the linebacker is running at a top speed of 21 MPH.
That doesn't mean that Staehling will be a starter, but Michigan is going to need four solid linebackers to get through the Big Ten season. That still feels thin, but with another solid contributor emerging, the Wolverines have to feel better about that position, which they were trying to add to just recently.
There have been rumors about Ernest Hausmann coming back. He took part in Michigan's pro day in the spring, so if the 5-for-5 allowed it, he could return, although Kyle Whittingham shot down that possibility during a press availability earlier this week.
Staehling could be a reason why.
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