Senior linebacker Troy Bowles has taken a big step forward in Jay Hill's scheme and is excited to see what he and his fellow backers can do in 2026.
After two years at Georgia, linebacker Troy Bowles arrived at Michigan with a familiar football name.
Now a senior, the son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles, Troy is working to establish his own identity while becoming a key piece of a dramatically reshaped Wolverines defense.
With a new defensive coordinator in Jay Hill and significant turnover at linebacker, Bowles believes the uncertainty surrounding the position could ultimately become one of Michigan's biggest strengths.
"I kind of like it that way," Bowles said. "I feel like people are going to be surprised because it's definitely the most uncertain group. So I feel like we're going to surprise a lot of people."
Only a few linebackers return from last season, including Bowles, leaving plenty of opportunities for younger players to carve out roles.
Bowles believes that group's versatility could allow Michigan to move its linebackers around and create problems for opposing offenses. He's especially confident in his own abilities.
"I think I can do everything," Bowles said. "Versatility, pass rush, cover. I'm fast. Play sideline to sideline."
That confidence and competition in the linebacker room has helped raise everyone's game.
Michigan has continued rotating linebackers throughout fall camp, with the starting jobs still unsettled as the Wolverines approach the season opener. Bowles said the competition has created an environment where players are constantly pushing one another without animosity.
"It definitely pushes you to be your best every day," he said. "You can't take a day off because somebody might take your spot. So we're all battling in the room, all rotating. But we're having fun with it."
Bowles feels like the biggest improvement for the group has come mentally. Physically, he believes Michigan's linebackers already have the necessary ability. The bigger jump has been understanding Hill's defensive scheme, recognizing formations and anticipating what opponents are trying to accomplish.
The transition to Hill's system has been aided by a hands-on teaching approach.
"I'm definitely a visual learner," Bowles said.
Rather than spending all of their meeting time taking notes, the linebackers frequently walk onto the field to physically go through run fits and coverage responsibilities alongside the defensive backs and defensive linemen.
Bowles said that approach has made what initially looked like a difficult transition much easier.
Hill has also incorporated plenty of film from his time at BYU, where he ran the same defensive system last year. Michigan linebackers coach Alex Whittingham also has his guys watching Kansas City Chiefs tape after spending eight years with the organization. All of the film study intends to give the players additional examples of how the concepts can be executed at a high level.
Finally, one player who may be running right alongside Bowles is North Dakota State transfer Nathaniel Staehling, whose explosiveness has stood out since joining the group for fall camp.
"It's not that he doesn't look fast, but he's a lot faster than he looks," Bowles said.
Staehling has also brought veteran experience and physicality to the room, something that Bowles said the younger linebackers can learn from.
As for his own camp, Bowles believes he's poised to make an impact on the field right out of the gate. Now fully healthy, Bowles is ready for the season to kickoff.
"I feel like I've done pretty good this camp," he said. "I've felt the best I've felt about my camp since I've been in college.
With the starting linebacker jobs still up for grabs, Bowles and his teammates have plenty left to prove. But if Michigan's new-look linebacker room can combine its speed, versatility and growing understanding of Hill's proven approach, Bowles believes the position could quickly go from an uncertainty to an unexpected strength.
