Michigan returns from its bye week with a 3-2 record and consecutive losses to Iowa and Minnesota. The Wolverines host Penn State on Saturday in a game that carries implications for the remainder of the schedule. For NFL talent evaluators, the next several weeks also matter for the program’s draft-eligible and rising prospects. Michigan sent several players to the league in the 2026 draft, including edge rushers Derrick Moore and Jaishawn Barham. The current roster features a mix of underclassmen and potential early entrants whose stock will be shaped by how they perform down the stretch.
The offense has been inconsistent, ranking near the bottom of the Big Ten in scoring and total yards. The defense has been more reliable. Those broader trends affect individual evaluations, particularly for skill-position players and those expected to declare after this season or next.
Bryce Underwood’s Development Trajectory
Quarterback Bryce Underwood enters his second season as the starter and remains the highest-profile prospect on the roster. The former top overall recruit has completed 67 of 113 passes for 881 yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions through five games. He has also rushed for 212 yards. His efficiency has varied. Against Iowa he threw for a career-high 276 yards and two scores. Against Minnesota he completed just 10 of 21 passes for 101 yards with two interceptions.
Underwood’s physical tools—size, arm strength, and mobility—are not in question. Consistency in decision-making and ball security has been the focus of evaluations. Kyle Whittingham has reaffirmed that Underwood will remain the starter and that offensive coordinator Jason Beck will continue calling plays. For a player whose eligibility projects toward the 2028 draft, the remaining games offer a chance to demonstrate progress against better competition. A cleaner performance against Penn State would address questions about how quickly the offense can improve under the new staff.
Jordan Marshall and the Running Back Room
Jordan Marshall has been the lead back, carrying 55 times for 244 yards and three touchdowns (4.4 yards per attempt). He added three receptions. Marshall had a productive 2025 season in a complementary role before stepping into a larger workload. Freshman Savion Hiter has contributed 145 yards on 46 carries with two scores. The overall rushing attack has averaged about 135 yards per game, ranking near the bottom of the conference.
Marshall’s ability to handle a featured role while remaining effective after contact will influence how evaluators view his long-term outlook. The offensive line has dealt with injuries, including right tackle Andrew Sprague being out, which has limited some of the production. Consistent carries and positive plays in the remaining games would strengthen his case as a potential early entrant or 2027 prospect. Penn State’s run defense has been among the weaker units in the Big Ten, providing a potential opportunity for clearer production.
JJ Buchanan’s Emergence as a Receiver
Wide receiver JJ Buchanan has been one of the more productive skill players. The Utah transfer has 24 receptions for 446 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 18.6 yards per catch. He caught the game-winning touchdown against Western Michigan and posted 130 yards and two scores against Iowa. At 6-foot-4 and roughly 218 pounds, Buchanan offers size and contested-catch ability. He has been a primary target for Underwood alongside Andrew Marsh.
Buchanan’s production in his first season in Ann Arbor has drawn attention as a possible 2028 prospect. His transition from Utah, where he had 26 catches for 427 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman, has been relatively smooth under the same coaching staff. Continued efficiency and big-play ability in the second half of the season would elevate his profile. The limited overall passing volume so far means his share of the offense’s production stands out even more.
Edge Prospects and Defensive Evaluation
On defense, edge rushers Dom Nichols and John Henry Daley have been notable. Nichols, in his first season as a regular starter, has generated pressures and recorded multiple sacks. He is listed among 2027 edge prospects on early boards due to his length and production in limited prior snaps. Daley has also contributed with three sacks while dealing with availability questions. Both have been listed as questionable at times during the week leading into Penn State.
Michigan’s defensive front has helped keep the team competitive even when the offense has struggled. For these edge players, the ability to generate consistent pressure against Big Ten offensive lines will be a key data point. Nichols’ early production has already moved him onto some mid-round projections. Sustained play through the rest of the schedule would solidify that trajectory.
Broader Context and Remaining Schedule
The bye week allowed time for recovery and schematic adjustments, but the remaining slate is demanding. A win over Penn State would not erase earlier inconsistencies, yet it would provide a better environment for individual evaluation. Turnovers have been a team-wide issue, with Michigan ranking near the bottom of the FBS in turnover margin. Reducing those mistakes would help skill players accumulate cleaner statistics and give the defense more favorable situations.
Evaluators will watch how Underwood, Marshall, Buchanan, and the edge group perform against a Penn State team that is also searching for answers. The Nittany Lions have struggled to stop the run and have lost three straight. Positive results in specific matchups—particularly in the ground game and on third downs—could shift individual stock more than the final score alone. With half the season remaining, these players still have opportunities to clarify their NFL outlooks before the draft process intensifies.
