Michigan DE John Henry Daley’s path to Michigan, outlook for 2026

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Michigan made a splash in the transfer portal and added one of the most coveted pass rushers. John Henry Daley could be the best player Michigan’s had at defensive end since Aidan Hutchinson.

The story so far

Daley was a three-star prospect in the class out of 2021. His senior season in high school was incredible, totaling 82 tackles and 22 sacks. Daley would commit to BYU after receiving offers from Stanford, San Diego State, Colorado State and UNLV.

Daley would spend two years at BYU and total three tackles before transferring to Utah in 2024. Daley recorded just one sack in ‘24, but in 2025 his career took a major turn for the best. Daley totaled 48 tackles, including 17.5 for loss, with 11.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. As good of a season as Daley had, it ended in a negative manner when he ruptured his Achilles in late November.

Daley committed to Michigan in January after his coach at Utah, Kyle Whittingham, was named Michigan’s new head coach.

Outlook moving forward

Daley appears to have recovered from his achilles injury and said he is in the best shape of his life.

“He’s a guy that has an incredible motor,” Whittingham said. “He plays every snap as if it was his last. A tremendously talented young man. Was leading the nation in sacks last year before he went down with an injury. We feel he probably woulda led the nation if he had stayed healthy all year. He’s just a relentless, throwback type of defensive end. He’s just physical, but he’s got great pass rush ability.”

Daley is ranked as the highest graded returning edge rusher by PFF and has a shot to be a first or second round draft pick next season with a stellar season at Michigan.

“He’s got the it factor. Sometimes you don’t even know why he’s getting after the quarterback, but he is,” Michigan defensive coordinator Jay Hill said. “He’ll make a move that somebody else will do the same thing. So when he gets home, the other guys don’t. He’s just got that true knack to get home. He is tenacious. He’s got as good a motor as anyone out there. He plays very physical. That’s part of the reason why he’s really good: he can bull rush you, he can beat you with speed.”

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