Eight Wolverines earn 2026 NFL Combine invites, showcasing Michigan's elite development and player pipeline. Discover who's next.
As the dust settles on the 2025 college football season and the NFL turns its eyes toward the future, the University of Michigan continues to prove itself as a premier developmental hub. Eight Wolverines have officially received invitations to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, scheduled to take place from February 23 to March 2.
While this number falls short of the school-record 18 invites from 2024, it signals a significant "reloading" phase for the Wolverines program. Here is a look at the players heading to Lucas Oil Stadium and what their presence there means for the future of Michigan football.
The Invitees: Michigan’s Next Pro Wave
The 2026 class represents a mix of home-grown talent, veteran stalwarts, and key transfer portal additions who refined their game in Ann Arbor.
Defensive Anchors
Derrick Moore enters the combine as the crown jewel of this group. After a 10-sack senior campaign, Moore is widely considered a "riser" who could sneak into the first round with a strong testing performance. Joining him in the front seven are Jaishawn Barham and Rayshaun Benny. Barham, a former Maryland transfer, brings the versatile athleticism NFL teams crave, while Benny’s consistent five-year development at Michigan has turned him into a sturdy interior presence.
Surprise Entries and Specialists
The invitations for Marlin Klein and Jimmy Rolder confirm that NFL scouts saw enough on tape to justify their early departures. Klein, in particular, is a "projection" pick—teams are betting on his 6'6" frame and raw speed. On the special teams front, Dominic Zvada remains one of the nation's most accurate legs, and Max Bredeson represents the "Michigan Man" archetype—a versatile blocker and leader whom scouts value for culture-building.
What This Means for Michigan Football
1. Sustaining the "NFL Factory" Reputation
For recruiting, the Combine is a billboard. Even in a year where Michigan didn't reach the College Football Playoff, producing eight combine-level talents (ranking 14th nationally) proves that the program’s developmental infrastructure is still elite. High school recruits see that regardless of wins and losses, Michigan's "Pro-Style" system prepares players for the next level better than almost any other program in the Big Ten.
2. The Transfer Portal as a Launchpad
The presence of Donaven McCulley (Indiana) and Jaishawn Barham (Maryland) at the combine highlights Michigan's success in the transfer portal. It sends a clear message to veteran players elsewhere: If you want to be a pro, come to Ann Arbor for your final year. This "finishing school" narrative is crucial for Kyle Whittingham as he looks to fill gaps in the 2026 roster.
3. A Changing of the Guard
While the invites are a celebration, they also signal a massive schematic shift. With the departure of the "Moore-Barham-Benny" core, Michigan will be forced to field a very young defense in the coming season. The program has already begun reloading via the portal (adding pieces like John Henry Daley), but the 2026 combine list marks the end of the veteran core that bridged the Harbaugh, Moore and now Whittingham eras.
Conclusion
The 2026 NFL Combine is more than just a series of 40-yard dashes for these eight Wolverines; it is a validation of Michigan's identity. As Derrick Moore and company look to solidify their draft stock, they carry the "Winged Helmet" brand into a new era of professional representation.