Michigan football tight end Zack Marshall has apologized for “inappropriate comments” he appeared to make in a series of leaked text messages that disparaged the Wolverines and offensive coordinator Jason Beck.
Messages from a group chat with Marshall were posted to social media on Monday, Oct. 5. In the texts, Marshall appeared to question Beck’s scheme and alleged that Michigan’s first-year offensive coordinator told the team’s tight ends that "none of us are valuable to this offense.”
"Last weekend, in the hours after we lost, I made some inappropriate comments that I regret," Marshall said in a statement he posted on social media on Tuesday, Oct. 6. "This game is won and
lost as a team, and I pointed fingers instead of taking accountability. I let my frustrations speak for me in an emotional moment.
"I apologize to my teammates and coaches for the unnecessary drama this has caused. I will always be proud to represent Michigan and will continue to give everything I have for this program. I love Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan and Team 147."
— Zack Marshall (@TheZackMarsh) October 6, 2026
In the messages Marshall appeared to send — which, given his apology, were seemingly confirmed to be from him — he said the Michigan offense “sucks,” said the Wolverines have “no answers” if they’re blitzed and blamed Beck for some of the well-documented struggles of sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood.
"We have an extra OL on the field every play and run different versions of power read every play 🤡," Marshall appeared to write in one message, punctuated with a clown emoji. "Also Beck tells Bryce Underwood where to go on every play and it gets strapped. Bryce is a good qb [sic], Beck is a problem."
In its first five games under head coach Kyle Whittingham, Michigan is 105th among 138 FBS teams in scoring offense, at 23 points per game, and is 106th in yards per play, at 5.39. In four of their five games this season, the Wolverines have been held under 20 points, meaning those underwhelming offensive stats would be even worse were it not for a 52-17 Week 3 win over UTEP. In a 20-14 loss last Saturday at Minnesota, which dropped it to 3-2 on the season, Michigan managed just 180 total yards.
A 6-foot-5, 245-pound junior, Marshall has yet to record a reception this season. Last year, he had 16 catches for 199 yards and a touchdown.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michigan TE Zack Marshall apologizes for leaked texts bashing Wolverines' offense
