The Michigan football program could still add players for the 2026 season. For the most part, though, the Wolverines' roster is set.
It feels like if there was a chance to add another linebacker or defensive lineman, Michigan might jump at it. There are still some 2026 recruits on the radar, but none that are highly ranked.
The Wolverines did well in the portal. Cole Sullivan leaving for Oklahoma was a blow. Jayden Sanders and Elijjah Dotson were two departures that hurt, too, for the future as much as anything.
Everyone else is replaceable. That's not an insult, but the portal works both ways, and Michigan didn't lose any First-Team All-Big Ten selections. Sullivan could have been that this season. Sanders and Dotson have starting potential.
But you can't keep everyone, and after some solid additions from the transfer portal to reinforce the defense, here is our first post-transfer portal depth chart on defense.
EDGE starters: John Henry-Daley, Cameron Brandt; Backups: Nate Marshall, Dominic Nichols, Carter Meadows.
Not only is John Henry-Daley one of the top-ranked players in the portal, he was one of three Michigan football players ranked in the top 100 for the 2026 season by On3.
Yes, Henry-Daley is coming off a "leg injury." But he posted on social media in December that he will be back in "six months." That would be around the end of June.
Maybe Henry-Daley won't be quite 100 percent by the season opener, but he should be very close. He had 11.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss in 2025 with two seasons left to play.
After four tackles for loss and three sacks in 2024, Cameron Brandt only had 1.5 TFL and 0.5 sacks in 2025. He's solid against the run, though, and will likely play more on run-downs. Dominic Nichols (one sack in 2025), Nate Marshall, a top-50 recruit in 2025, and Carter Meadows, a top-10 recruit in the 2026 class, should make an impact, too.
D-Line Starters: Trey Pierce, Enow Etta, Jonah Lea'ea; Backups: Manuel Beigel, Deyvid Palepale, Alister Vallejo, and Titan Davis.
The defensive line room doesn't lack for talent. There are multiple top-50 recruits at EDGE, as well as former top-150 recruits at defensive tackle in the 2026 class, plus McHale Blade. Trey Pierce and Enow Etta will be expected to play larger roles in 2026, along with Utah transfer Jonah Lea'ea, who notched 38 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a sack for the Utes in 13 games last season at defensive tackle.
Pierce was a huge retention. Rayshaun Benny and Derrick Moore led the defensive line with 19 solo tackles. Pierce was right behind them with 18. He didn't offer much as a pass rusher. That's where he could improve, but he is undoubtedly Michigan football's best defensive tackle.
Etta could be, though. He's flashed and was ranked as one of the top-10 defensive linemen in the portal. He's grown into his body, and if the light turns on this season, he could be a monster.
Vallejo and Davis are two who feel like they could have a similar impact to Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant as freshmen. They might not be quite that good. They probably won't be. Yet, if they can add some quality depth, the defensive line could easily exceed expectations.
LB Starters: Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng and Nathaniel Staehling; Backups: Troy Bowles, Chase Taylor, Aisea Moa, and Max Alford.
Staehling was the starting middle linebacker for North Dakota State last season and was a productive player with 75 tackles, six tackles for loss, and three interceptions. Owusu-Boateng feels like the one sure-fire starter.
Michigan football will be counting on him to make a big jump this season. Chase Taylor is another who could play his way into the starting lineup, while Bowles also has experience. That's six linebackers who have experience, counting Aisea Moa and Max Alford. Bowles and Taylor combined for 37 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack. Taylor contributed 10 tackles to that, so all of the negative yardage plays were by Bowles.
There are options. If Owusu-Boateng plays anywhere close to his five-star potential, and some other solid contributors build on what they have done already, Michigan should be fine, especially with some veteran insurance on the roster.
CB Starters: Zeke Berry, Jyaire Hill, Smith Snowden (Nickel); Backups: Shamari Earls, Jamarion Vincent, Jo'Ziah Edmond
This is one of the best cornerback groups in the Big Ten. Berry, Hill, and Snowden were each all-conference players last season. Hill is ranked among the top 100 players by On3, and could easily be playing in the NFL next season.
Hill has first-round potential. Berry has developed into a reliable starter, and Snowden is another impact player in the nickel, who comes over from Utah. Over the past two seasons, Snowden has 58 solo tackles, 17 passes defended, and six interceptions. Hill broke up six passes this season. Berry broke up 10, giving the Wolverines 25 among their top three cornerbacks.
Jordan Young feels like a backup option at nickel. Earls and Edmond are talented depth options at cornerback. The secondary feels like a strength.
Safety starters: Rod Moore and Chris Bracy; Backups: Jordan Young and Mason Curtis
Rod Moore is another who could have been in the NFL had he been able to avoid injury and play in more than three games last season. He was elite in the Wisconsin game, making three impact plays in 18 snaps.
If Moore can play the majority of the snaps this season, and he will need to at some point if an NFL team is going to draft him, the secondary will be elite. Moore, when healthy, is still one of the best safeties in college football.
Jordan Young oozes potential. I expect him to be the third safety, while Mason Curtis, who started three games in 2025, will be back after 34 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception. I always wondered if he might be a candidate to play some nickel linebacker, too. He is 6-foot-5, 211 pounds, and could easily add some weight to his frame.
Young had three pass breakups last season. Bracy was an impact player for Memphis, with 81 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, and an interception.
So all in all, Michigan DC Jay Hill should have plenty to work with.