Michigan's Fall Camp is Giving Reasons For Optimism

Fall Camp has been a success for Michigan as we reach the final days of it. There is still a lot to be proven on the field, but what's already been done should have Michigan feeling good about its chances in 2026.

Nov 22, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) rolls out to pass during the ]first half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Fall camp is reaching its conclusion. Soon, the Michigan Wolverines will be running onto the field to tap the banner before taking on the Western Michigan Broncos to begin the 2026 season.

Michigan is coming off a 9-3 season that left a lot to be desired, and ended in turmoil. Sherrone Moore was fired. Kyle Whittingham was brought in to restore order to a program that desperately needed some.

The standard is always the standard in Ann Arbor. Compete for a Big Ten title, beat your rivals, and challenge for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

The 2026 season is an interesting case study. Is it possible that Michigan could finish with a worse record than the 9-3 mark they achieved a season ago? Absolutely.

Is it possible they could do that, and still have the season be considered a success? We think so. Expectations were understandably tempered.

More Firepower

Michigan’s offense was mostly anemic a season ago, and there has yet to be proof of concept on the field that Underwood will be consistent enough against the top teams.

Last year, Underwood and the offense were brutal against Oklahoma, USC, and Ohio State. There were flashes in those games, but nothing consistent enough.

Underwood was a freshman, incredibly young, and coached improperly. Now, those excuses are all out the window.

Michigan’s defense should be good as it usually has been since the turn of the decade, but that’s not the biggest reason for optimism.

It’s on the offensive side of the ball. The offensive line has six guys competing for spots, and should be able to maintain competition throughout the season under offensive line coach Jim Harding.

The run game might have the best duo in the country in the backfield. Jordan Marshall is a captain and ready to shine after two seasons behind more established players. Behind him, is one of the best backs in the country in Savion Hiter. Jason Beck has an excellent running back group to lean on while his team tries to find its footing in the passing game.

That’s where we land on the reasons for optimism coming out of fall camp. This coaching staff does not mince words. They won’t pat a player on the back while they’re stabbing them in the stomach.

They’re straight forward, and honest without revealing too much information. That means, until proven otherwise, we are going to take the coaches at their word when if something is going well.

That works in the other direction as well. If things were not going well, the coaches would not heap praise in the direction of the offense.

What is Different?

Michigan’s passing game is set up much better for success this season. Bryce Underwood, according to his coaches has put together an excellent fall camp. Kyle Whittingham called it an A-Plus camp.

Jason Beck said last week that Underwood has put together 13 good practices out of the 13 that he has.

JJ Buchanan and Andrew Marsh could form one of the best one-two punches that Michigan has had at receiver since Chad Henne was their starting quarterback.

Tight end is a question mark, but there is some buzz growing around Mason Bonner.

“He is off to a really good start, and you’re going to see him get snaps as a true freshman,” Whittingham said.

Bonner can add some size to Michigan’s passing game at 6-foot-7, 235 pounds.

 The depth at receiver has some potential as well. Micah Simon stated last week that Michigan has looking at multiple candidates to play as the third receiver in their offense. Last season, Michigan’s third receiver was Semaj Morgan. Morgan now plays for UCLA after transferring out of the program at the end of the season.

There’s just more talent that is going to be put in better positions to succeed. Michigan could find itself winning the grinding physical games that have become their identity since 2021. They also have the firepower, to potentially keep pace in some shootouts.

There are still questions to be answered. It is fall camp, where optimism reigns supreme. Underwood and the offense have to put things together on the field.

For now, however, it’s hard to say that this camp has been anything but a resounding success.

After three weeks of fall camp, here's how #Michigan's starting offense might look.

There is a little shakeup in my projected starting O-line.

STORY: https://t.co/rmEnohdjyP pic.twitter.com/nZHCGsPx4y

— Trent Knoop (@TrentKnoop) August 23, 2026