Michigan’s coaching staff, in collaboration with Pro Football Focus, has unveiled its initial list of the top returning players for the 2026 season, using grades earned during the previous campaign to project each athlete’s impact on the upcoming schedule.
Among the most intriguing edge rushers, Lugard Edokpayi impressed with a long, explosive frame, generating four quarterback hurries and a hit across just 15 pass‑rushing snaps, underscoring his disruptive potential despite limited snaps.
Running back Bryson Kuzdzal carved out a larger role in the final stretch of the season, emerging as the team’s RB2 and earning two starts, a development that could reshape the backfield’s dynamics heading into 2026.
Key Offensive Contributors
Offensive line standouts Jake Guarnera and Andrew Sprague also drew attention; Guarnera proved himself as one of the most reliable run blockers, surrendering only two sacks and ten quarterback hurries, while Sprague, the second‑best run‑blocking lineman, permitted just a single sack despite facing 17 pressures.
Wide receiver Andrew Marsh emerged as the team’s top pass catcher, posting a 78.1 receiving grade and finishing the season without a single drop, positioning him as a primary target for the offense.
Defensive lineman Trey Pierce started all 13 games and posted an 80.5 run‑defense grade, ranking second among linemen and cementing his role as a cornerstone of the front seven.
Defensive Standouts
In the secondary, cornerback Mason Curtis earned the highest coverage grade of 76.6, while safety Jyaire Hill, the top returner on the defense, posted a 76.0 coverage mark but will need to tighten his tackling before the season begins.
Perhaps the most lauded of the group, running back Jordan Marshall topped the offense with an 88.6 run grade and held the best pass‑blocking rating among backs, positioning him as a key weapon for the upcoming campaign.
The early rankings suggest a blend of established performers and emerging talent, offering a promising outlook for Michigan’s 2026 roster as it prepares to build on recent successes.