6 Michigan Football Backups Who Will Play a Major Role in Week 1 vs. Western Michigan

Michigan takes the field in primetime this week to open the 2026 season against Western Michigan, and once again, fans won’t get an official depth chart to study beforehand. Kyle Whittingham is the latest Michigan head coach unwilling to release one, continuing a tradition of secrecy around the program’s starting lineup. Still, based on recent comments from coaches and players, enough information has leaked out to piece together who’s expected to start on Saturday — and just as importantly, which backups are going to play meaningful snaps against the Broncos.

Here are six Michigan backups who should see significant playing time in Week 1.

(Note: Running back Savion Hiter isn’t included on this list since he’s expected to serve as the 1B option in the backfield rather than a true backup.)

WR Salesi Moa

Michigan enters the season with its top three wide receivers set, and in a bit of a surprise, fall-camp standout Channing Goodwin was named the starting WR3 ahead of the Western Michigan game. That pushes five-star freshman Salesi Moa into a backup role, at best slotting in as WR4 entering the contest.

That doesn’t mean Moa won’t see the field, though — quite the opposite. Michigan’s coaching staff wants its five-star playmaker heavily involved early in the season to see what he can do in live game action. Moa turned heads during the spring game with a highlight-reel one-handed catch, and he should be in line for several targets against the Broncos.

WR Jaime Ffrench

Entering fall camp, many expected Jaime Ffrench to be the one to win the WR3 job outright. Instead, like Moa, he finds himself on the outside of Michigan’s starting receiver group. That said, Ffrench is still expected to play — and play a lot — against Western Michigan.

The Texas transfer brings good size and legitimate deep speed, giving Michigan a dynamic downfield threat even in a rotational role. Ffrench has also already built chemistry with quarterback Bryce Underwood, and the two are expected to connect multiple times once the Wolverines take the field Saturday. Depending on matchups later in the season, Ffrench could even work his way into a starting role down the line.

WR Travis Johnson

Alongside Moa, true freshman Travis Johnson was one of the biggest risers in Michigan’s receiver room throughout fall camp. The 6-foot-3 pass-catcher has impressed coaches with his all-around skill set, and while he’s not expected to start Week 1, he’s expected to be used heavily in the rotation against Western Michigan as Michigan looks to get its most talented young playmakers on the field early.

LB Nathaniel Staehling

Michigan’s linebacker room enters the season as arguably its biggest question mark on defense after losing every starter from a year ago. North Dakota State transfer Nathaniel Staehling has emerged as the group’s steadying presence throughout fall camp, impressing coaches with both his production and his leadership in a young, largely unproven position group. While he’s technically in a rotational role alongside Troy Bowles and Chase Taylor, Staehling projects to see extensive snaps against Western Michigan and beyond.

LB Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng

Once viewed as a potential breakout star at linebacker, Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng enters Week 1 in a backup role for the second consecutive season. Staehling’s strong fall camp, combined with veteran Troy Bowles’ experience and Chase Taylor’s own rise up the depth chart, has pushed Owusu-Boateng further back in the linebacker rotation than many expected entering the year. Defensive coordinator Jay Hill has indicated the position will still operate as a rotation, meaning Owusu-Boateng should still see the field regularly against the Broncos, even without a starting nod.

OL Depth Battle at Guard

Up front, Michigan offensive coordinator Jason Beck confirmed that all three guards competing for time on the interior line will play against Western Michigan, setting up a genuine in-game battle at the position. With the starting five otherwise largely settled around center Jake Guarnera and right tackle Andrew Sprague, the guard rotation gives fans a real position battle to watch unfold in real time during Michigan’s season opener.

Why These Michigan Backups Matter for the 2026 Season

Even without an official depth chart, it’s clear Michigan’s coaching staff plans to get meaningful snaps for several of its most talented young and rotational players right out of the gate. Whether it’s getting five-star freshmen like Moa and Johnson early live-game reps, leaning on transfer experience at linebacker, or letting an open guard competition play out on the field, Michigan’s approach to Week 1 should offer plenty of insight into how deep — and how competitive — this roster really is heading into the 2026 season.