Kyle Whittingham and his coaching staff will not like what they currently see on the defensive end of the football. 

On the show, Michigan’s spring is PHYSICAL on YouTube, and Greg McElroy talks about the Wolverines' defense. “Oftentimes, when you’re thinking Michigan, you almost take the defense for granted, right? It’s going to be great.” 

However, that is not the case going into the 2026 college football season. “Well, they lost a lot of key pieces off last year,” said McElroy. 

He further added, “You lose a Derek Moore, you lose a Barham (Jaishawn), you lose a TJ Guy. Utah transfer John Henry Daley he’s hoping to anchor that group, but he’s currently injured and is targeting a return later this summer.” 

Derek Moore, TJ Guy, and Jaishawn Barham, three defensive players who were a part of the 2025 Wolverines, have committed to this year's NFL draft. While former Utah Utes player, John Henry Daley, accompanies Kyle Whittinham and staff and commits to the Wolverines, but is currently unavailable. 

Rod Moore is another name who will be returning to Michigan for a sixth season in 2026.

“You also have your captain, Rod Moore, who’s one of the most respected guys in the program. A little banged up, not currently getting a lot of live reps,” said McElroy. 

There are plenty of issues for Whittingham and his defense ahead of the 2026 season. Is he taking a page from Jim Harbaugh’s book? 

This is huge for a program like Michigan, which has had its challenges recently with Sherrone Moore. It finally looks like the ship is being steadied at the Big House in Ann Arbor. 

What Will the Michigan Defense Look Like Going Into the 2026 Season?

Jay Hill will be calling the defensive plays from the sidelines, and Kyle Whittingham has given some insights on what that could look like. 

While appearing on the Rich Eisen Show, he said this, Four-down front, a 4-2 nickel setup, which is what 90% of the people base out these days. It’s geared towards 11 personnel. If we go to 12 personnel, then we go ahead and jump into a 4-3, and we substitute with the offense, but it bases out of that 4-2-5 scheme.” 

Jay Hill was a former player who played for Whittingham and then became a part of the coaching staff at Utah. 

“I recruited him (Jay Hill) at Utah –  was an outstanding player there. Finished playing, wanted to become a GA (graduate assistant). We hired him on as a GA, finished his GA stint, and we had a full-time spot. Hired him for that, and he just kept working his way through the ranks his last three years.” 

From being a football player to a graduate assistant and now in charge of the Wolverines' defense, Jay Hill will have a lot riding on his shoulders.

Read more at the Michigan Football Community!

Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Kalp Thaker