The Michigan Wolverines are eagerly awaiting the return of their defensive weapon, John Henry Daley. He suffered a season-ending injury last November, and reports suggest he will return to amp up the Wolverines' secondary.

“...is ready to go full throttle as he prepares for the fall gauntlet as Michigan's primary edge rusher in 2026,” Nick Popio wrote on May 18.

The former Utah Utes DE sustained a no-contact injury in the first quarter of the Utes’ home finale against Kansas State. He ruptured his left Achilles tendon before he recorded 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks in the game. 

At Utah, his 2025 pressure rate ranked fourth nationally amid standout production. In the 11 games he played, Henry Daley made 24 solo and 24 assisted tackles. He racked up 17.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks.

The Utah native is an All-American athlete who was a Chuck Bednarik Award semifinalist and quarterfinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy. 

“He could be Michigan’s first double-digit sack master since the legendary Aidan Hutchinson and Davis Ojabo,” Popio wrote about the impact Henry Daley could make on the program’s defense, ranked 22nd by ESPN after Week 13.

John Henry Daley’s Strong Message After He Sustained Injury 

The Michigan Wolverines can count on the coveted defensive end. After he was injured in November 2025, John Henry Daley promised that he wouldn’t be out for too long.

“I've been hearing this everywhere,” Daley wrote in response to a now-deleted X post. “I will not be out for this next season... I’ll be back in 6 months.”

According to Sports Illustrated, this X post conveyed that “Michigan NEEDS to be after Utah DE John Henry-Daley,” and that Daley “would be a MASSIVE get for Michigan.”

Well, he followed former longtime Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham all the way to Ann Arbor, who is molding the Wolverines for his first season.

Over a week ago, Brice Marich, a Wolverines’ recruiting reporter, posted a video of Henry Daley

working out, “and there were no side effects.” In his report, Nick Popio wrote that a healthy Henry Daley could be on his way to the next Ted Hendricks Award winner. 

“Just imagine where Michigan would be without him if he didn't transfer in,” he wrote.

Are you excited for the Wolverines this year?

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar