Michigan football gets a boost in ESPN's 2026 spring rankings
ESPN has moved Michigan football up four spots to No. 14 in its too-early top 25 rankings for the 2026 season.
Things are heating up for Michigan football, with spring ball nearing its conclusion with Saturday's spring game. And with Kyle Whittingham leading the charge and Bryce Underwood set at signal caller, some are starting to think that the Wolverines may be a little better than anticipated. Among those are ESPN, which had initially slotted Michigan in at No.
18 in its too-early top 25 list, right at the conclusion of the 2025 season. But now, upon reevaluation, the worldwide leader is moving the Wolverines up a bit. With a strong defensive front, according to Kyle Whittingham, ESPN likes what the maize and blue have on that side of the ball, along with the transfer additions and coaching staff.
Thus, in the latest too-early top 25, Michigan has moved up four spots to No. 14. 14.
Michigan Wolverines 2025 record: 9-4, 7-2 Big Ten Previous ranking: 18 Key players lost: DE Derrick Moore , DT Rayshaun Benny , LB Jimmy Rolder , LB Ernest Hausmann , LB Cole Sullivan , LB Jaishawn Barham , S TJ Metcalf , S Brandyn Hillman Key additions: DE John Henry Daley (Utah), CB Smith Snowden (Utah), DL Jonah Lea'ea (Utah), TE JJ Buchanan (Utah), S Chris Bracy (Memphis), LB Max Alford (BYU), RB Taylor Tatum (Oklahoma), WR Salesi Moa (Utah), WR Jaime Ffrench Jr . (Texas) 2026 outlook: After a season to forget, both on and off the field, the Wolverines must be looking forward to the start of the Kyle Whittingham era. Michigan has playmakers in place on offense, led by quarterback Bryce Underwood , tailback Jordan Marshall and receiver Andrew Marsh .