Michigan football gets a boost in ESPN's 2026 spring rankings
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Things are heating up for Michigan football, with spring ball nearing its conclusion with Saturday's spring game. And with Kyle Whittingham leading the charge and Bryce Underwood set at signal caller, some are starting to think that the Wolverines may be a little better than anticipated.
Among those are ESPN, which had initially slotted Michigan in at No. 18 in its too-early top 25 list, right at the conclusion of the 2025 season. But now, upon reevaluation, the worldwide leader is moving the Wolverines up a bit.
With a strong defensive front, according to Kyle Whittingham, ESPN likes what the maize and blue have on that side of the ball, along with the transfer additions and coaching staff. Thus, in the latest too-early top 25, Michigan has moved up four spots to No. 14.
2025 record: 9-4, 7-2 Big Ten
Previous ranking: 18
Key players lost: DE Derrick Moore, DT Rayshaun Benny, LB Jimmy Rolder, LB Ernest Hausmann, LB Cole Sullivan, LB Jaishawn Barham, S TJ Metcalf, S Brandyn Hillman
Key additions: DE John Henry Daley (Utah), CB Smith Snowden (Utah), DL Jonah Lea'ea (Utah), TE JJ Buchanan (Utah), S Chris Bracy (Memphis), LB Max Alford (BYU), RB Taylor Tatum (Oklahoma), WR Salesi Moa (Utah), WR Jaime Ffrench Jr. (Texas)
2026 outlook: After a season to forget, both on and off the field, the Wolverines must be looking forward to the start of the Kyle Whittingham era. Michigan has playmakers in place on offense, led by quarterback Bryce Underwood, tailback Jordan Marshall and receiver Andrew Marsh. There are a handful of players coming back with starting experience on the offensive line, including left tackle Evan Link. There are more personnel losses on defense, but the Salt Lake City pipeline should help Michigan fill its holes. Daley, who had 17.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks in 2025, is coming back from a lower leg injury.
Of course, the schedule is a bear compared to even last year, when Michigan had to alternate between home and road games. But if the talent that's in Ann Arbor can reach its potential under Whittingham and the new staff, especially as expected on offense, then the maize and blue, at the very least, will be a hard out.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football moves up in ESPN's 2026 top 25
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos