The Michigan football program is wrapping up its spring practice window.
The Wolverines opened spring ball on March 17 and close with the Maize vs. Blue spring game at Michigan Stadium on April 18 (2 p.m., BIg Ten Network). New coach Kyle Whittingham has had time to learn his team’s strengths and weaknesses with 10 of the 15 practices finished.
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He met with the media for a second time on Thursday, April 9, to discuss putting the pads on and implementing a new scheme for most on both sides of the ball. Below are three things we learned as Michigan nears its first live action in the new era.
Running back Micah Ka’apana lost for season
Las Vegas Bishop Gorman running back Micah Ka’apana
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U-M’s mostly enjoyed good health this spring, but Whittingham did disclose one long-term injury:
“One big downer, Micah [Ka’apana] … is out for the season,” he said. “We’ll miss him. It’s unfortunate but so far we’ve been healthy other than that. That’s a loss for us, something that I’m sure he’ll return from and be back for the ’27 season. But it looks like he’s gonna be out for the ’26 season.
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“It’s a shame … because he was having a good spring. … He’s a tough kid and he’ll be missed.”
Whittingham called it a lower leg injury for the running back, but said he couldn’t disclose anything else. Ka’apana was injured much of last year and also buried on the depth chart behind original starter Justice Haynes and backup Jordan Marshall. He appeared at running back in four games in 2025, rushing 10 times for 38 yards to go with one reception for 8 yards.
Still, running back is a perceived strength for the Wolverines with Marshall and Bryson Kuzdzal returning, plus the addition of five-star prospect Savion Hiter. Those are the top three players in the room, Whittingham said, while Ka’apana was No. 4.
Defensive line a perceived strength
The Wolverines lost a ton of talent along the defensive line this past offseason with Derrick Moore, Jaishawn Barham, Rayshaun Benny, Tre Williams and Damon Payne all either opting for the NFL Draft or running out of eligibility.
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Some of the names aren’t as flashy as in recent years − though the addition of Utah transfer and reigning second-team All-American John Henry Daley does add some sizzle − but Whittingham has been as impressed with that group as any on the roster.
Michigan defensive lineman Enow Etta (17) tackles Michigan State running back Brandon Tullis (7) during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
“We feel very good about the depth up front on defense,” he said. “I feel like, right now, we’ve got five D-tackles and five D-ends that are going to be guys that we can win with, and that’s all you can hope for. If you’re 2½ deep at each [spot], inside and outside, then you’ve got a pretty good rotation going on.”
Trey Pierce and Enow Etta return as the favorites to start at defensive tackle. Utah transfer Jonah Lea’ea and Deyvid PalePale’s names have both come up on the interior.
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On the outside, Cam Brandt appears a favorite to start opposite Daley, but Dominic Nichols may contend for a spot as well, while Nate Marshall and incoming five-star Carter Meadows both possess notable upside.
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This wasn’t perceived as strength, but Whittingham believes it will be.
“I feel like those guys have really stepped up this spring, and that’s maybe the deepest position group on the football team,” Whittingham said. “It remains to be seen … but defensive line should be a strong suit for us.”
Offensive line coach Jim Harding continues to draw praise
The Wolverines have been known for offensive line success.
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Even last year, in what was not the strongest unit, Michigan finished as a semifinalist for Joe Moore Award (given annually to the nation’s top offensive line group). It won in 2021 and 2022 and was a semifinalist in 2023, the year the Wolverines won the College Football Playoff. Now, the room is led by coach Jim Harding, an arrival from Utah, and returning players have raved about what he brings.
“I love him,” tackle Blake Frazier said earlier this week. “Harding is unbelievable. He’s somebody that is very adaptive. He works with me, [Andrew] Sprague, Jake [Guarnera] − a couple examples − he gives us all different tools to work with because we all play a little differently.
“He’s been unbelievable at coming in, while introducing the new scheme to us, we’ve kept a lot of our on-field calls the same, just to ease the transition. He’s been unbelievable. Super-excited to keep working with him. His track record speaks for itself, so I’m excited about it.”
The offensive line, naturally, will determine a lot about the success of the offense, whether it’s giving Bryce Underwood time to get the ball downfield or opening holes for running backs.
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Whittingham cited Harding as the primary reason he has faith the offense will step up.
“The biggest thing we’ve done is hire Jim Harding,” Whittingham said. “He’s outstanding. He’s been with me for 12, 13, 14 years − I’ve lost track. He produces a quality product, year in and year out. He’s just terrific. I’ve got total confidence in Jim that he’ll do everything right.”
Tony Garcia is the Michigan beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football spring update as RB Micah Ka’apana out for season
