Why Michigan football's Andrew Marsh could be a 2026 superstar

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CBS Sports put together a list of 13 budding superstars who are likely to emerge in 2026. Among the players on the list are the likes of Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr, USC running back Waymond Jordan, and Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover. And yet, there's a name we believe should be on the list who isn't.

And no, it's not Bryce Underwood (though he also very well could or should be).

Michigan football hiring Kyle Whittingham to oversee this particular roster should be a huge boon for the maize and blue, as he not only promises to have a similar ethos as the previous two coaches (playing hard-nosed football in the trenches), but also with his ability to get more out of his skill players than many. With Jason Beck taking over the reins as offensive coordinator, yes, that should provide many more opportunities for Underwood than what he had a year ago (see: Dampier, Devon).

But the player we think who could become something of an overnight sensation actually plays wide receiver: Andrew Marsh.

Despite not seeing the field much in the first half of the 2025 season, Marsh finished the year as the 16th-most prolific receiver in the Big Ten. In the month of October, when he started to come on, he was fifth in the Big Ten and 24th nationally. He was sixth in the conference in November, despite not even being targeted in Michigan's biggest game, the season finale against Ohio State. And he managed all this as a true freshman. On November 15, at Northwestern, Marsh had a breakout performance, with 12 catches for 189 yards, showcasing what he can do when targeted early and often, despite the other team doing everything it can to stop him.

And given Beck's tenure, though more run-heavy than pass-heavy, Marsh should benefit from having not only fresh eyes, but an innovative play-caller to create opportunities for him.

Last year at Utah, Beck saw senior wideout Ryan Davis reel in 62 catches for 725 yards and four touchdowns. Davis had 54 catches for 747 yards the year before at New Mexico, alongside junior Luke Wysong, who had 69 catches for 840 yards. Those might not be Jeremiah Smith numbers, but given Marsh's 45 catches for 651 yards last year, it stands to reason there's a lot more that he can do than even what Beck managed with the Lobos and Utes receivers.

Marsh proved to be one of the more electric receivers in the Big Ten in the second half of the season, and in just his first year of college football. Had he been on a more pass-friendly team, there's a strong likelihood that he would have been the talk of the sport as an emerging player. But given the previous regime's run-first ideology, he didn't quite get that attention. Make no mistake, Beck prefers running over passing — he's had the No. 2 rushing offense each of the past two years. But he's also not had the weapons he has now, with Bryce Underwood, Andrew Marsh, and the offensive line he now has at his disposal.

It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Wolverine passing offense thrive this year, especially because of that trifecta. And while Underwood might be the centerpiece, it's Marsh who could emerge as that deep threat that opposing defenses truly struggle to stall.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Why Michigan football WR Andrew Marsh could be 2026 breakout star

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