Kyle Whittingham may not release an official depth chart, but that hasn’t stopped key roles from becoming clear as Michigan approaches its 2026 season opener. After Whittingham himself revealed that Channing Goodwin had won the WR3 job over both Jaime Ffrench and Salesi Moa, defensive coordinator Jay Hill followed up on Wednesday by confirming who will start at linebacker for the Wolverines against Western Michigan.
Hill named Nathaniel Staehling, Troy Bowles, and Chase Taylor as Michigan’s starting linebackers for Saturday’s season opener. According to Hill, all three are expected to draw the start, while Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, Aisea Moa, and Max Alford are also expected to see the field in a rotational capacity — meaning six total linebackers should play significant snaps in Week 1.
Why Michigan’s Linebacker Room Looks So Different in 2026
This year’s linebacker room represents a near-total overhaul from Michigan’s 2025 unit. The Wolverines lost key contributors Ernest Hausmann and Jimmy Rolder to graduation, while Cole Sullivan transferred to Oklahoma and Jaishawn Barham departed for the NFL. That mass exodus left Bowles, Taylor, and Owusu-Boateng — each of whom played primarily complementary roles and special teams a year ago — as the closest things to returning experience heading into 2026.
To address the shortfall, Michigan turned to the transfer portal, adding Max Alford from BYU, Christian Pierce from Western Illinois, Aisea Moa from Michigan State, and, most notably, Nathaniel Staehling from North Dakota State.
How Michigan’s Starting Linebackers Earned Their Roles
Nathaniel Staehling: From Afterthought to Fall Camp Standout
Entering fall camp, Staehling appeared to be at a disadvantage — he didn’t participate in spring practice, and questions lingered about how quickly he’d adjust after transferring up from the FCS level. Those concerns didn’t last long. Staehling quickly became one of the biggest standouts of fall camp, with Whittingham directly praising his production and instincts, specifically noting how frequently he’s around the football and calling him a “tackling machine.” At 6-foot-2 and more than 240 pounds, Staehling brings size and physicality that has quickly won over the coaching staff.
His college resume backs up the hype. At North Dakota State, Staehling started every game and lined up at both the Mike and Will linebacker spots. He finished as the Bison’s third-leading tackler with 74 tackles, added a sack, and led the team with three interceptions — production that earned him All-Missouri Valley Football Conference Honorable Mention recognition. A Minnesota native, Staehling redshirted in 2022, played in 14 games in 2023, and battled back from a season-ending injury in 2024 before landing at Michigan with a season of eligibility remaining.
Troy Bowles: The Room’s Veteran Leader
Bowles enters the season as the linebacker room’s most established veteran presence. A Georgia transfer, Bowles wasn’t a full-time starter in 2025 but was productive when called upon, finishing the season with 27 total tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble across 13 games. He’s also the only linebacker on Michigan’s 2026 Leadership Council, and members of the coaching staff — including analyst Alex Whittingham and Jon Jansen — have praised his football IQ and speed throughout the offseason. Bowles has openly acknowledged the competitive nature of this year’s linebacker room, describing the daily battle for reps as one that’s kept everyone sharp without any bad blood between teammates.
Chase Taylor: The Rising Star With Versatility
Taylor carried significant momentum into fall camp after a strong spring, and while some of the offseason buzz shifted toward Staehling, Taylor’s stock never really dropped. Whittingham specifically singled him out in recent comments, saying Taylor has started to function like a “big-time linebacker.” Coaches like the versatility and speed Taylor brings to the room, and he’s expected to be a key piece of Michigan’s linebacker rotation regardless of exact starter designations.
What Michigan’s Linebacker Decision Means for Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng
Perhaps the most notable name left off the starting trio is Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, a former four-star recruit who signed with Michigan as one of the program’s most anticipated linebacker commits in recent cycles. This marks the second consecutive season Owusu-Boateng will begin the year as a backup. Last season, that made sense — he was buried on a deeper depth chart behind Jimmy Rolder, Ernest Hausmann, and Cole Sullivan. This year is different: Owusu-Boateng entered fall camp with real expectations, having even been mentioned in early All-American conversations, yet he still finds himself behind Staehling, Bowles, and Taylor on the depth chart.
Owusu-Boateng had his pick of nearly any program in the country during his recruitment before choosing Michigan. Whether he’s still adjusting to defensive coordinator Jay Hill’s scheme or simply facing tougher competition than expected, one thing multiple outlets agree on: the talent is there. It’s now a matter of translating that talent into consistent, game-level production. With reports also indicating injuries have factored into his availability at points, Owusu-Boateng will need a strong showing whenever he sees the field to push his way back into a larger role as the season progresses.
Michigan’s Linebacker Rotation Plan for the 2026 Season
Despite naming three starters, Jay Hill has been clear that Michigan’s linebacker usage won’t be limited to a rigid three-man rotation. Hill has previously indicated that the defense will typically feature three linebackers on the field, but that doesn’t always mean three traditional linebackers — there will be packages where only two of the starters are on the field alongside a hybrid edge rusher. Hill has also described this year’s linebacker room as the position group that has improved the most this offseason, noting that five or six players are trustworthy enough to see meaningful game action.
When Does Michigan Football Play Its 2026 Season Opener?
Michigan opens its season this Saturday night at home against Western Michigan, giving fans their first real look at how Jay Hill’s revamped linebacker corps performs in a live game setting. With so much roster turnover at the position, this game — and the following weeks should offer an early indication of whether Staehling, Bowles, and Taylor can solidify themselves as Michigan’s long-term answers at linebacker, or whether Owusu-Boateng and others will force their way into a bigger role as the season unfolds.
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