Michigan navigates a seismic roster shift. Retaining stars and landing game-changing talent, Whittingham rebuilds with a mix of calculated risks and immediate impacts.
The 2026 offseason for Michigan football has felt less like a standard roster refresh and more like a high-speed reconstruction. Following the transition from Sherrone Moore to Kyle Whittingham, the Wolverines have been one of the most active programs in the country. With the January transfer window reaching its peak, it’s time to assess the damage—and the gains.
When evaluating a transfer portal class, you must look at three things: Retention, Replacement, and Reinforcement. For Michigan, the results have been a mix of gut-punching departures and elite, tactical acquisitions.
The Retention Battle: Protecting the Crown Jewels
Before Whittingham could shop for new toys, he had to keep the existing ones from being snatched. The biggest "win" of the portal season wasn't a commit—it was a stay. Keeping five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood and star running back Jordan Marshall in Ann Arbor for 2026 is a massive victory. In the modern era, retaining a talent like Underwood is equivalent to landing a top-tier portal transfer.
However, the roster wasn't immune to the "coaching change tax." The loss of running back Justice Haynes (to Georgia Tech) and wideout Semaj Morgan (to UCLA) hurts. Haynes, who averaged over seven yards per carry before an injury last season, was expected to be the lightning to Marshall's thunder. Losing reliable depth like QB Jadyn Davis and Davis Warren also left the cupboard dangerously bare behind Underwood.
The New Arrivals: Quality Over Quantity
Whittingham has leaned heavily on his Utah roots and Big 12 connections to fill the gaps. The headliner of the incoming class is Utah EDGE John Henry Daley. Daley, an All-American who notched 11.5 sacks in 2025, provides an immediate replacement for the NFL-bound Derrick Moore. His familiarity with the defensive scheme makes him a "plug-and-play" superstar.
On offense, the Wolverines landed a versatile weapon in JJ Buchanan. Nominally a tight end, the 6-foot-3 Buchanan functioned more like a massive slot receiver at Utah, leading all freshmen in receiving yards last year. Between Buchanan and former Texas wideout Jaime Ffrench, Michigan has significantly upgraded the pure athleticism of its pass-catching corps to support Underwood.
Position-by-Position Analysis
Position Group
Key Additions
Key Departures
Impact Level
Quarterback
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi
Jadyn Davis, Davis Warren
High (Added veteran depth)
Wide Receiver/TE
JJ Buchanan, Jaime Ffrench
Semaj Morgan, Brady Prieskorn
Moderate (Higher ceiling, lower floor)
Defensive Line
John Henry Daley, Jonah Lea'ea
Enow Etta
Elite (Daley is a game-changer)
Secondary
Smith Snowden, TJ Metcalf
Jayden Sanders, Elijah Dotson
High (Major experience added)
The Final Verdict
Michigan’s portal strategy has been aggressive and necessary. While the volume of departures (over 20 players) is alarming at first glance, much of that was "trimming the fat" or players seeking playing time elsewhere after falling behind Underwood on the depth chart.
The staff’s ability to pull All-Conference talent like Smith Snowden (CB, Utah) and Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi (QB, Colorado State) shows that Michigan remains a destination program despite the coaching turnover. They didn't just find bodies; they found starters.
Whittingham has successfully stabilized a volatile situation. He protected his superstar quarterback and reinforced the defense with elite pass-rushing talent. While the loss of Justice Haynes keeps this from being a "perfect" window, the Wolverines have positioned themselves to be Big Ten contenders yet again.
Transfer Portal Grade: B+