Kyle Whittingham has been on the job as Michigan’s new head coach for just over a month now so you’d imagine he’s settling in at this point. His staff is in place, he has certainly familiarized himself with returning players, he’s bolstered the roster via the transfer portal and he’s out on the recruiting trail.
He has also named the newest edition of spring team captains and appointed members of the leadership council. All of the information can be read below from an official release from the university.
University of Michigan J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach Kyle Whittingham announced Monday (Feb. 2) the players who will lead the 2026 Wolverines’ football program as spring captains and members of the leadership council. The players for Team 147 voted for both spring honors. The captains and leadership council for the 2026 season will be elected during fall camp.
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Junior running back Jordan Marshall and sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood were voted as the offensive captains and fifth-year senior safety Rod Moore and senior defensive tackle Trey Pierce were selected as the defensive captains.
In addition to the spring captains, the players voted for 11 players who would make up the team’s Leadership Council. Following is an alphabetical list of players who received selection (with their 2026 year in school):
· Nico Andrighetto, Fifth-Year Senior Safety
· Zeke Berry, Fifth-Year Senior Cornerback
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· Cameron Brandt, Senior Defensive End
· Mason Curtis, Junior Safety
· Enow Etta, Junior Defensive Tackle
· Blake Frazier, Junior Offensive Line
· Jake Guarnera, Junior Offensive Line
· Jyaire Hill, Senior Cornerback
· Andrew Marsh, Sophomore Wide Receiver
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· Zack Marshall, Senior Tight End
· Andrew Sprague, Junior Offensive Line
The Wolverines will begin spring practice on Tuesday, March 17. The 15 practice sessions will conclude with the annual Spring Game presented by Original Roofing Company on Saturday, April 18; more details will follow as they are finalized.
There are obviously a few things to note from the above release. It’s big that two young, heavily involved players on offense, like running back Jordan Marshall and quarterback Bryce Underwood, are viewed as spring captains and they’ll certainly be in the running for official team captain status come fall camp.
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Marshall is a true junior, but he’s never been the guy in the backfield. However, he’s been carrying himself like a captain since arriving in Ann Arbor, and now he officially is one, at least for the spring.
Underwood being voted into a leadership role by his teammates as a true sophomore speaks volumes. He didn’t have a great statistical season last year but he did some very impressive things and obviously works hard and leads by example.
It’s also noteworthy to see Rod Moore’s name up there. The veteran Wolverine is back and poised to play a major role in Jay Hill’s defense. The secondary is loaded and Moore is like a coach on the field in that group.
Last but certainly not least, is the presence of Andrew Marsh’s name. Until today, nothing had been officially announced in terms of Marsh’s plans. Now, it’s official that he’ll be in Ann Arbor, likely as Michigan’s No. 1 receiver heading into the 2026 season.
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