Player-led structure takes shape under Whittingham this spring

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Things are changing in Ann Arbor, and though — in many ways — Kyle Whittingham isn't a wholesale departure from the Jim Harbaugh and Sherrone Moore era, that doesn't mean everything will remain the same as it had been the previous 11 years.

On Monday, that became more evident, as Whittingham revealed multiple things at once: that there would be four spring ball team captains, there would be a player-decided 'Leadership Council' comprised of 11 players, while also announcing that spring ball would commence on March 17 with the annual game set for April 18.

The spring captains on offense are Jordan Marshall and Bryce Underwood, while Trey Pierce and Rod Moore earned those honors on defense.

Read the full release below, along with the revelation of the 11 players on the 'Leadership Council.'

University of Michigan J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach Kyle Whittingham announced Monday (Feb. 2) the players who will lead the 2026 Wolverines’ football program as spring captains and members of the leadership council. The players for Team 147 voted for both spring honors. The captains and leadership council for the 2026 season will be elected during fall camp.

Junior running back Jordan Marshall and sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood were voted as the offensive captains and fifth-year senior safety Rod Moore and senior defensive tackle Trey Pierce were selected as the defensive captains.

In addition to the spring captains, the players voted for 11 players who would make up the team’s Leadership Council. Following is an alphabetical list of players who received selection (with their 2026 year in school):

·         Nico Andrighetto, Fifth-Year Senior Safety

·         Zeke Berry, Fifth-Year Senior Cornerback

·         Cameron Brandt, Senior Defensive End

·         Mason Curtis, Junior Safety

·         Enow Etta, Junior Defensive Tackle

·         Blake Frazier, Junior Offensive Line

·         Jake Guarnera, Junior Offensive Line

·         Jyaire Hill, Senior Cornerback

·         Andrew Marsh, Sophomore Wide Receiver

·         Zack Marshall, Senior Tight End

·         Andrew Sprague, Junior Offensive Line

The Wolverines will begin spring practice on Tuesday, March 17. The 15 practice sessions will conclude with the annual Spring Game presented by Original Roofing Company on Saturday, April 18; more details will follow as they are finalized.

What is interesting about the council is that it's a more formal interior organization, not unlike that which existed starting in 2021 and that perpetuated into (and beyond) 2023. But Whittingham formalizing that, as well as adding spring captains, could and should enable more player-led accountability in a time when perhaps it isn't as prevalent (spring ball).

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Kyle Whittingham names spring captains, leadership council at Michigan

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