Six Wolverines Who’ll Feel the Heat at Fall Camp

Fall camp is almost here, and you can almost hear the buzz in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines have a stacked schedule, a new defensive scheme, and a quarterback‑friendly offense that promises to be a little more forgiving. But all that potential means something else: a lot of players will be staring straight into the spotlight, and the pressure is real.

1. QB Bryce Underwood – The name is everywhere, and it’s not just because he’s a five‑star recruit. Underwood threw 11 touchdowns and nine picks last season, and his footwork sometimes looked like he was still learning the cadence of the huddle. Coach Kyle Whittingham has said he’s seen progress, but the real test will be whether Underwood can tighten up his reads and keep his legs steady when the defense comes at him at full speed. If he does, the sky really is the limit.

2. OL Nathan Efobi – Entering his fourth year, Efobi is at a crossroads. He’s logged 19 games and started five at guard, but three battles line up for the interior line this summer. Veterans Jake Guarnera and Andrew Sprague look set to lock down two spots, leaving Efobi, along with Andrew Babalola, Blake Frazier, Evan Link and Brady Norton, to fight for the remaining three. One good showing in camp could earn him a regular‑season snap; a limp performance might send him to the bench.

3. LB Nathaniel Owusu‑Boateng – The linebacker room is wide open after Michigan lost its top three tacklers. Coach Jay Hill’s 4‑2‑5 scheme will usually feature just two linebackers, so the competition is fierce. Troy Bowles appears to be the lock, but Owusu‑Boateng, a former top recruit who has battled injuries, wants to be the next big name. A strong camp could turn him from a promising sophomore into a reliable on‑field leader.

4. Edge Rusher Nate Marshall – Marshall arrived as a high‑four‑star freshman and earned some snaps in his first year. Yet at Big Ten Media Days, Whittingham didn’t even name him while listing other edge players. That omission, whether accidental or intentional, is a reminder that Marshall can’t afford to be forgotten. He’ll need to out‑work John Henry Daley, Cameron Brandt, Dominic Nichols, Lugard Edokpayi and even the five‑star freshman Carter Meadows to stay in the two‑deep rotation.

5. CB Shamari Earls – Once a five‑star prospect, Earls saw limited action as a true freshman, partly because an early injury opened the door for others. Now, heading into his second season, he’s expected to be the fourth corner, the one you call on when the starter goes down. A solid camp could cement his status as the future of Michigan’s secondary; a lukewarm effort might relegate him to the depth chart for years to come.

6. CB Jo’Ziah Edmond – Depth at cornerback is thin, and Whittingham has repeatedly warned that someone has to step up. Edmond, now a junior, showed flashes as a true freshman but fell behind on the depth chart last year. He still has two years of eligibility, so a breakout performance this summer could put him back in the conversation for a starting role next season, perhaps alongside Earls.

All told, the pressure isn’t just on the stars; it’s on the younger guys who need to make the leap. The next few weeks will tell us which of these six will rise to the occasion and help Michigan stay in the hunt for another Big Ten crown.