How WR Jaime Ffrench's '1000 Miles Per Hour' Mentality Will Factor into Michigan's Offense

Michigan had the 107th passing attack in the nation last season in Sherrone Moore's final season as the head coach. Entering 2026, there will be multiple variables that should allow for the Wolverines to have an increased passing attack this season.

For starters, the change of the offense will help. Jason Beck will run more of a spread look and it will allow for Bryce Underwood to have multiple options. Then there is the talent. After 28 dropped passes last season, the Wolverines went out and brought in some elite pass catchers to help their second-year quarterback.

Both Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan are cemented as the starters. And both five-star freshman Salesi Moa and Texas transfer Jaime Ffrench are expected to play massive roles this season. Appearing on In the Trenches, wide receiver Micah Simon spoke about French's ability.

Mandarin's Jaime Ffrench (2) makes a one-handed touchdown reception against Bolles' Santana Starks — Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK

"Yeah, definitely brings a lot of speed and a lot of competitiveness and just heart," Simon said about Ffrench. "He goes one thousand miles per hour every single day. And he is all about learning. He is all about being coached hard and just wanted an opportunity to showcase his ability."

Ffrench also described himself as an explosive playmaker this spring. He said that his release off the line is explosive, and that in of itself will help Michigan's offense take the next level.

The Underwood-Marsh factor

Ffrench, who was a top-50 prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, never quite found his footing at Texas. He played in four games to preserve his redshirt, and he opted to enter the transfer portal. Michigan had a pair of players who were key factors in his recruitment.

From camps and the recruiting process, Ffrench had a bond with both Underwood and Marsh. Coach Simon said those two helped tremendously in getting him in Ann Arbor, and once Simon had the opportunity to speak on the phone with Ffrench and his parents, it was a perfect match.

Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Andrew Marsh (4) spins on a punt return — Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

"With the recruiting and everything these days, he was able to know Andrew through the recruiting process. He was able to know Bryce through the process. So it was a very, very — I don't want to say easy deal like once he was in the portal, but all those connections that he had with guys on the team now and then once we're able to get on the phone and I can talk with his parents and they can understand our vision and our plan for him, it was really a match made."

Kyle Whittingham has already named his top four wide receivers, with Ffrench in the group. The Wolverines will kick things off against Western Michigan this season, and Michigan fans will likely see a lot of the 6'1" speedster right out of the gate.

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