Michigan will open the Kyle Whittingham era on September 5 against Western Michigan. The head coach has confirmed he has a depth chart set, but he will not release it publicly until the Wolverines take the field.
After three weeks of fall camp reports and coach comments, here is the current best projection for Michigan’s starting offense.
Quarterback
Starter: Bryce Underwood
There is no competition for the starting job. Underwood enters his sophomore season as the clear QB1. The only question remains who will serve as the primary backup between true freshman Tommy Carr and Colorado State transfer Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi.
Running Back
Starter: Jordan Marshall
Five-star freshman Savion Hiter has generated significant buzz and will play, but Marshall remains the projected lead back. Expect a committee approach, with Hiter seeing substantial work as the season progresses.
Wide Receivers
Starters: Andrew Marsh, JJ Buchanan, Jaime Ffrench
Marsh and Buchanan are locked in as the top two options. Marsh brings explosiveness, while Buchanan has drawn “unguardable” praise during camp.
The WR3 battle is the closest. Channing Goodwin and freshman Travis Johnson have impressed at times, but the edge currently goes to Jaime Ffrench for his experience and deep-threat ability over fellow contender Salesi Moa.
Tight End
Starter: Zack Marshall
The tight end position will operate by committee. Marshall is expected to get the first nod based on his performance last season, but Hogan Hansen, Deakon Tonielli, and Mason Bonner will all see snaps depending on the package and matchup.
Offensive Line
Projected Starters (left to right): Blake Frazier, Evan Link, Jake Guarnera, Nate Efobi, Andrew Sprague
Jake Guarnera is locked in at center and is viewed as one of the stronger interior linemen in the Big Ten. Andrew Sprague is secure at right tackle.
The left side and right guard spots have seen the most movement. Blake Frazier is currently projected at left tackle, with Evan Link sliding inside to left guard. Nate Efobi holds the edge at right guard for now. Andrew Babalola has dealt with a minor setback and may begin the year as the sixth lineman (“Rhino”).
What Happens Next
Whittingham has made clear the official depth chart will stay private until kickoff. Final decisions could still shift with strong performances in the remaining practices or any additional minor injuries.
The offensive line combination and the WR3 role remain the most fluid pieces. How those settle will go a long way toward determining how explosive Michigan’s offense can be in the early part of the season.
FAQ Section
Who is Michigan’s starting quarterback? Bryce Underwood is the clear starter.
Who are the top wide receivers? Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan are the top two. Jaime Ffrench currently holds the edge for the third spot.
Is the offensive line set? Center Jake Guarnera and right tackle Andrew Sprague appear locked in. The other three spots still have some competition.
Will Savion Hiter start at running back? Jordan Marshall is projected as the starter, but Hiter is expected to play significant snaps in a committee.
When will Michigan release an official depth chart? Kyle Whittingham has said it will not be revealed until the team takes the field for the season opener.
