Earlier this week, we asked fans to vote on the biggest position of concern for Michigan with spring football practices beginning in early March. Here are the results.
64% of fans believe linebacker is
the biggest position of concern, 27% voted for defensive line/edge, while just 5% voted tight end, and 4% voted backup quarterback.
Linebacker is a position of concern after Cole Sullivan transferred to Oklahoma, Jimmy Rolder entered the NFL Draft, and Ernest Hausmann medically retired. While Michigan is perceived to be light at linebacker, they made four transfer portal additions in Nathaniel Staehling (North Dakota State), Max Alford (BYU), Aisea Moa (Michigan State), and Christian Pierce (Western Illinois). Michigan also returns Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng and Chase Taylor, and has incoming freshmen in Kaden Catchings, Markel Dabney, and Aden Reeder.
Bowles and Staehling have a strong chance of being Michigan’s starters at linebacker. Staehling has the most experience, tallying 75 tackles, three interceptions and a sack last season while Bowles’ playing time increased the last month of the regular season, finishing ‘25 with 16 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. Even if Staehling and Bowles start, Taylor and Owusu-Boateng will likely be key rotational players. As a whole, this is Michigan’s most inexperienced linebacker room in years, which is why fans voted the position as the most concerning for the Wolverines heading into spring ball.
How did you vote this week? Let us know in the comments.
