Michigan lands All-ACC kicker Trey Butkowski, uniting him with his former Pitt long snapper, instantly electrifying Kerry Coombs special teams unit for 2026.
In a move that significantly bolsters their special teams unit for the 2026 season, the Michigan Wolverines have officially secured a commitment from star transfer kicker Trey Butkowski. Announced on January 8, 2026, the acquisition comes just 24 hours after the freshman phenom entered the transfer portal following a record-breaking debut season at the University of Pittsburgh.
For Michigan, the addition of Butkowski is more than just a roster fill; it is a strategic masterstroke that addresses a critical need at placekicker while providing a cornerstone for new Special Teams Coordinator Kerry Coombs.
A Historic Freshman Campaign
Trey Butkowski arrived at Pitt as a highly touted recruit from Lake Nona High School in Orlando, Florida. Ranked as the No. 9 kicker in the nation by Kohl’s Kicking, he quickly validated that rating by winning the starting job out of training camp.
His 2025 season was nothing short of historic. Butkowski set a new Pitt record by converting 16 consecutive field goals and finished the year with an impressive 87% success rate (20-of-23). His reliability inside the 40-yard line was absolute, going a perfect 13-of-13. This consistency earned him:
• Second-Team All-ACC honors.
• A spot on the PFF Freshman All-American team.
• Lou Groza Award Semifinalist status (one of only four Pitt kickers ever to achieve this).
The Kerry Coombs Connection
The 2026 season marks a new era for Michigan football under head coach Kyle Whittingham, and one of his most pivotal retentions was special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs. Coombs, a coaching veteran with 42 years of experience at the high school, collegiate, and NFL levels, was originally brought to Ann Arbor by former coach Sherrone Moore in late 2025.
For Coombs, Butkowski is the "missing piece" of a total special teams overhaul. Since taking the reins, Coombs has been aggressive in the transfer portal to fix a unit that struggled throughout 2025. By landing Butkowski, Coombs has secured a proven, high-pressure performer who can provide the stability necessary for the Wolverines to compete in the expanded Big Ten.
Building the "Specialist Battery"
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this transfer is the synergy Coombs is building. Butkowski isn't arriving alone; he joins former Pitt teammate and long snapper Nico Crawford, who also transferred to Michigan earlier this week.
In the world of special teams, the "operation"—the timing between the snapper, holder, and kicker—is a delicate dance. By reuniting Butkowski and Crawford, Coombs has effectively imported a pre-synchronized battery. When combined with the recent commitment of UNLV transfer punter Cameron Brown, Michigan has completely rebuilt its specialist room in less than seven days.
What it Means for Michigan's 2026 Outlook
Standing at 6'0" and 170 lbs, Butkowski brings a "D1 leg" that has already proven capable of hitting from 47 yards in high-pressure conference games. With three years of eligibility remaining, he offers Michigan long-term stability at a position that often decides the tight, defensive battles typical of Big Ten football.
Under the tutelage of a high-energy mentor like Coombs, Butkowski is expected to take another leap forward. For a Michigan program in transition, having a kicker who can reliably turn drives into points is the ultimate safety net.