Predicting Michigan Football’s depth chart before fall camp: Defense, special teams

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Despite a new coaching staff, Michigan’s defense should still be among the best in the Big Ten in 2026 thanks to some exciting new additions to the roster on top of some strong returning players. Yesterday, we took one last look at what the offensive depth chart could look like as the Wolverines head into fall camp this week. Today, we’ll be taking a look at the defense and special teams.

Defensive Tackle

Starters: Trey Pierce and Enow Etta

Depth: Jonah Lea’ea, Deyvid Palepale, Bobby Kanka, Chibi Anwunah, Travis Moten, Alister Vallejo, Titan Davis, Ted Hammond

Justifiably, there might be some worry about Michigan’s defensive tackle group heading into 2026 with so many players leaving this offseason. However, the Wolverines seem confident in this year’s group, especially with Trey Pierce and Enow Etta at the top.

Jonaha Lea’ea came in this offseason from Utah and will likely get the most snaps off the bench. Following him, Michigan could realistically employ a rotation of four or five additional guys. Deyvid Palepale was a veteran who got some buzz during the spring, but true freshmen Alister Vallejo and Titan Davis will be names to watch as well — both enrolled in the summer, but have some high upside if they’re able to get off to solid starts.

Defensive End

Starters: John Henry Daley and Cam Brandt

Depth: Dominic Nichols, Nate Marshall, Benny Patterson, Carter Meadows, Lugard Edokpayi, McHale Blade, Julius Holly, Tariq Boney

Similar to the defensive tackles, the defensive end spot is highly talented at the top, with former All-American John Henry Daley coming over from Utah. Behind him, Michigan will likely have up to five or six players that could see the field regularly. Senior Cam Brandt seems like a safe bet to get the most snaps of the bunch, but don’t be surprised if he’s surpassed by some higher-upside options behind him.

Junior Dominic Nichols has steadily improved the last two years and will look to finally put it all together this fall. Sophomores Nate Marshall and Benny Patterson have also gotten some positive buzz this offseason and could assert themselves more in 2026. Five-star true freshman Carter Meadows is more of a long play for the future, but his raw talent and athleticism might just be too much to ignore this year.

Linebacker

Starters: Troy Bowles and Chase Taylor

Depth: Nathaniel Staehling, Nate Owusu-Boateng, Aisea Moa, Max Alford, Markel Dabney, Kaden Catchings, Christian Pierce, Aden Reeder

There are plenty of ways Michigan could go at linebacker to round out its front seven. In reality, this unit doesn’t have a lot of experience and is the one with the highest level of concern among the fan base. Senior Troy Bowles seems to be the only player locked into a starting spot after being a part of the rotation last season.

Behind Bowles, sophomore Chase Taylor has been raved about and could be a breakout candidate this season. The same could be said about fellow sophomore Nate Owusu-Boateng. However, if the Wolverines are looking for more of a high-floor option, it could be North Dakota State transfer Nathaniel Staehling getting more snaps. Any way you slice it, linebacker is probably the cloudiest position on the roster right now and probably the one to keep the closest eye on in the coming weeks.

Cornerback

Starters: Jyaire Hill, Smith Snowden, Zeke Berry

Depth: Sharmai Earls, Jo’Ziah Edmond, Jamarion Vincent, Jeremiah Lowe, Joshua Nichols, I’Marion Stewart

Michigan’s leading trio of cornerbacks should be among the best in the Big Ten on paper in 2026 after seniors Jyaire Hill and Zeke Berry both took a step forward last season. The group got a shot in the arm by adding a former All-Big 12 player in Smith Snowden. It remains to be seen how the top three are aligned, with both Snowden and Berry being capable of playing in the slot or on the outside.

Michigan has solid depth as well. Sophomore Shamari Earls has a high ceiling, but he didn’t see the field much as a freshman and needs to take a step to get on the field more. Jo’Ziah Edmond similarly didn’t play much after being a candidate for more playing time in 2025, so he’ll look to bounce back. True freshman Jamarion Vincent turned some heads this spring, so he’ll look to continue his ascent before the season starts.

Safety

Starters: Rod Moore and Chris Bracy

Depth: Mason Curtis, Jordan Young, Kainoa Winston, Taylor Tatum, Jacob Oden, Nico Andrighetto, Jordan Deck, Ernest Nunley

We’ll round out the defense looking at the safeties, a group with plenty of experience at the top with the now-healthy Rod Moore and Memphis transfer Chris Bracy. They’ll get the bulk of the snaps, but Jordan Young and Mason Curtis should also get plenty of playing time. Young and Moore might also see some snaps in the slot.

There isn’t much experience further down the depth chart with sophomore Kainoa Winston, a former highly-touted recruit, and Taylor Tatum, a former running back who transferred in from Oklahoma. Freshmen Jordan Deck and Ernest Nunley will also look to climb the ladder.

Special Teams

Placekicker: Trey Butkowski

Punter: Cameron Brown

Kick return: Salesi Moa, Savion Hiter, Smith Snowden

Punt return: Salesi Moa, Andrew Marsh, Smith Snowden

We’ll finish off with some quick hitters on special teams, which is expected to take a big (a very big) step forward under Kerry Coombs. Both the starting placekicker and punter are new this year, with Trey Butkowski and Cameron Brown transferring in from Pitt and UNLV, respectively.

As for the return men, Michigan has so many ways it could go. Last season at Utah, Kyle Whittingham used a running back (Daniel Bray) as the primary kick returner and a wide receiver (Mana Carvhallo) as the primary punt returner. Although he’s a true freshman, Salesi Moa could be a candidate to get reps at both positions to showcase his speed and shiftiness. Andrew Marsh returned both kicks and punts last season, but it doesn’t seem like the coaching staff will want to put him in harm’s way as much this season.

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