It was an offseason of change for the Michigan Wolverines, and there may not have been a room more impacted than wide receiver. Mainstays on the depth chart departed, while several new faces joined both from the high school ranks and the transfer portal.
One remaining talent is Kendrick Bell, a junior and brother of former Michigan standout receiver Ronnie Bell. With the top of the depth chart locked in and a new coaching staff now in Ann Arbor, Bell will have to earn his spot to see playing time
in 2026.
The story so far
Bell was a high school quarterback and a three-star recruit ranked 863rd overall in the country as an athlete in the 2023 class. But his 6-foot-3 frame had him in a spot to make the same transition his older brother did when he was in Ann Arbor.
After redshirting as a freshman, Bell played in all 13 games in 2024. He was a key contributor on special teams and caught seven passes for 70 yards. One of his most notable plays was a pass attempt in the upset win over Ohio State that drew a pass interference call on the first play of the fourth quarter.
His role on special teams remained in 2025, but his production dropped, catching just three passes for 54 yards. One of them, however, came in spectacular fashion against Texas in the bowl game for his first career touchdown.
Outlook for 2026
Bell is one of the veterans in the room at this point, but that doesn’t mean much under his third coaching staff in his college career. What he has going for him is the special teams experience, which should be valued by Kyle Whittingham and company, but there is an uphill battle for playing time offensively.
Whittingham has said that Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan are 1A/1B right now. After that, there is room for debate, but many assume true freshman Salesi Moa and Texas transfer Jaime Ffrench will be the next two. Five receivers typically see snaps, and Whittingham said he expects seven to travel with the team for road games. Bell is one of few that is somewhere in that range.
For those three traveling spots remaining, Bell will compete with Channing Goodwin, I’Marion Stewart, Jamar Browder, Jacob Washington, Jayden Pile and Travis Johnson. Plenty of names for little playing time, making a significant role in jeopardy for Bell in 2026.
