Michigan is looking ahead to a new era after hiring Kyle Whittingham to be its next head football coach. The Utah Utes had a pretty impressive season in 2025, only losing to the two teams — Texas Tech
and BYU — that played in the Big 12 Championship Game.
We know Michigan’s new head coach, but what we don’t know are all the players Whittingham will be coaching next year. Let’s take a look at five Utah players we’d like to see Whittingham bring with him to Ann Arbor.
DE John Henry Daley
Michigan has a chance to immediately strengthen its defense with a dynamic pass rusher in defensive end John Henry Daley. While he did suffer an injury at the end of the 2025 season, he’s an incredible player. He finished the season with 17.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He earned All-American honors and All-Big 12 first-team honors for his efforts. Also, he’s nicknamed the “Mayor of Sack Lake City,” and while that pretty awesome nickname wouldn’t work at Michigan, it gives you an idea of just how good this guy is.
Listen, Michigan might strike out because Henry Daley is from Utah, and it’s also possible his injury sets him back a bit. But those stats are impressive, and it’d be nice if Whittingham could bring him to Michigan especially given the Wolverines lack luster pass rush in 2025.
S Jackson Bennee
If we’re looking for a true wish list, safety Jackson Bennee would definitely be on it. He finished his sophomore year with four interceptions and five pass breakups, as well as 61 tackles for Utah. He’s also someone Michigan could use on special teams, as he blocked a kick and a punt this season. After suffering through Michigan’s special teams in 2025, he could add a spark in 2026 and beyond.
He is another guy from the state of Utah, but if you’re Whittingham, you’ve got to be thinking about how to get him to Michigan.
QB Byrd Ficklin
Michigan already has a quarterback in Bryce Underwood, but the room in general is relatively thin. Jadyn Davis entered the portal, and who knows if Mikey Keene will want to stay and play under another new coach.
Look no further than Byrd Ficklin, who just finished up his freshman season by completing 21-of-35 passes for three touchdowns and no interceptions. Did I mention he’s also mobile? He had 56 rushes for 503 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was only a three-star prospect, but he’s got some experience after his freshman season and could be a solid option to add some depth to the quarterbacks room.
TE JJ Buchanan
We’re all likely missing a JJ being on the roster, so let’s lobby for Whittingham to bring JJ Buchanan to Ann Arbor. He just finished his freshman season as Utah’s third-leading receiver. He had 22 catches for 351 yards and four touchdowns. Nationally, he had more yards than any other freshman tight end.
Buchanan may be a more realistic option for the Wolverines to bring in through the portal, as he’s originally from Nevada. Michigan produced a pretty incredible Top-10 pick from that area of the country in Colston Loveland, so perhaps Buchanan would be interested in developing in Ann Arbor.
LB Johnathan Hall
Linebacker Johnathan Hall just switched to linebacker, as he played their for all of 2025 after starting his career at safety. He’s a junior, which may make it less appealing to transfer to Michigan for another season. He finished with All-Big 12 honorable mentions after coming away with 65 tackles, six tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He had a huge game against Texas Tech, with 10 tackles and a tackle for loss.
Michigan had a pretty deep linebacker room in 2025, but lost some key talent. This is a position the Wolverines could use some more of in 2026, and Hall would be a quality player to add.
Have you been paying attention to the Utes? Who would be on your transfer wish list? Let us know in the comments below!
