The transfer portal window has officially closed, and while new players can still be added to the roster (or returning players can elect to withdraw), Michigan\u2019s football roster is taking shape for the 2026 season under new head coach Kyle Whittingham.<\/p>\n
With all of the transfer portal news taking place over the last three weeks, it is easy to forget about the stars Michigan already had on its roster. It is also easy to forget that just a few weeks ago, the Wolverines overhauled its entire coaching staff, hoping to maximize the potential of everyone on the roster.<\/p>\n
With a ton of experience, proven development, and consistent winning seasons under their belt, this new coaching staff should hit the ground running with an embarrassment of riches in talent.<\/p>\n
Whether they are a high-ceiling freshman, a former depth piece expected to get an increased load or an established starter, here are four current Michigan players most likely to benefit from the new coaching staff.<\/p>\n
Quarterback Bryce Underwood<\/p>\n
It may not need to be stated, but Bryce Underwood may have the most to gain from a brand-new coaching staff going into his sophomore season.<\/p>\n
The former No. 1 overall recruit played well for the Wolverines in his freshman year, but there were obvious growing pains and it did not appear the young QB was able to grow a ton in the offense.<\/p>\n
As we learned after the season, Underwood did not have a dedicated quarterbacks coach throughout the year, implying that he did not receive as much individual attention as most college quarterbacks do. This greatly limited his development, and gives a strong reason for the consistent missed reads, poor footwork and raw mechanics.<\/p>\n
One of the first hires Whittingham and offensive coordinator Jason Beck made was bringing in their quarterbacks coach, Koy Detmer<\/a>, from Utah to help with Underwood\u2019s development.<\/p>\n Detmer was with Beck at Syracuse as a graduate assistant, then went to New Mexico with Beck as an offensive analyst, and subsequently followed Beck to Utah to serve as the quarterbacks coach.<\/p>\n Most recently, Detmer had been working with former New Mexico and current Utah quarterback Devon Dampier, who threw for 2,490 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, five interceptions, along with 835 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025, ranking No. 7 in the nation in Total QBR (84.4).<\/p>\n Michigan has already seen strong production from adding a quarterbacks coach in recent years, with Kirk Campbell<\/a> in 2023, helping J.J. McCarthy set single-season program records in completion percentage (72.3) and interception percentage (1.20) with 22 touchdowns and winning a national championship.<\/p>\n With someone in Underwood\u2019s ear every day giving him pointers and keeping him accountable on all quarterback duties, the hometown kid has a chance to grow his game exponentially.<\/p>\n Offensive Tackle Andrew Babalola<\/p>\n 6-foot-6, 300 pounds. That is the measurement of projected first round Utah tackles Spencer Fanu and Caleb Lomu.<\/p>\n That is also the exact measurement of Michigan redshirt freshman Andrew Babalola.<\/p>\n Babalola came to Michigan as a blue-chip five star prospect, and received a high volume of starter reps during the Michigan Spring Game. However, a month later, the Overland Park, Kansas native was reported to miss the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury<\/a>.<\/p>\n Because of the season-ending injury, Babalola never received legitimate coaching or development in his first season, but you can bet that new offensive line coach Jim Harding<\/a> will change that in year two.<\/p>\n