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Michigan football gets wave of key players announcing return in 2026
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- Michigan football gets wave of key players announcing return in 2026
While much of the focus in college football has been on players coming and going via the NCAA's two-week transfer portal window, just as important is who is staying put.
In the past 48 hours, a slew of Michigan football players announced they'd be doing just that, posting the team's "LFG147" graphic on social media to announ their return to Ann Arbor for the 2026 season. Among the most notable: sixth-year safety Rod Moore and defensive tackle Trey Pierce.
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Joining them, with varying levels of contribution to this point in their U-M careers, are defensive linemen Nate Marshall and Dom Nichols, linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng , defensive back Shamari Earls and tight end Zack Marshall .
Michigan defensive back Rod Moore (19) intercepts a pass from Wisconsin during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.
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Moore, a two-time captain for the Wolverines , nearly left U-M for the 2024 NFL Draft following the 2023 national championship season. Instead, he returned to get his degree and try and boost his draft stock. Since then, he has played three games for the Wolverines after suffering an ACL tear in spring 2024. He missed all of that season, while also having surgery to repair an meniscus tear and appeared in three games in 2025 before lingering soreness shut him down.
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The 6-foot, 198-pound Dayton, Ohio, native has 147 tackles, 14 pass breakups and seven interceptions in his career –none bigger than 2023's game-sealing pick against Ohio State to send U-M to its third consecutive Big Ten championship game. Moore is one of three experienced returning players in U-M's secondary, joining Jyaire HIll and Zeke Berry .
Pierce, meanwhile, seemed to be a lock to stay as soon as U-M added his brother, Christian, from FCS-level Western Illinois earlier this week. A 6-foot-2, 310-pound defensive tackle, Pierce was a big piece of U-M's solid run defense this season, starting all 13 games with 30 tackles (including one for loss).
Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito talks to defensive lineman Trey Pierce (95) during the second half against Michigan State at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.
Marshall and Nichols, meanwhile, bring promise, if not yet production, in their returns to the defensive line. Nichols, a sophomore, played in 12 games in 2025, finishing with 19 tackles (5½ for loss) and had his first career sack in the season opener against New Mexico . He was the scout team's defensive player of the year in 2024 and will see an increased role in 2026. Marshall broke into the rotation as a true freshman this season. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound former four-star prospect from Oak Park, Illinois, played in 11 games and had six tackles.
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Owusu-Boateng is a key returner simply because the linebacking corps is so depleted, with Michigan losing its top four rotational linebackers from last season. Owusu-Boateng stepped into a larger role as 2025 continued and largely held his own in five appearances on defense, with four tackles. He also had a quarterback hurry in December's Citrus Bowl loss to Texas .
Michigan tight end Zack Marshall (83) celebrates 24-7 win over Washington at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
Zack Marshall, the lone offensive player to announce his return, was one of U-'s more productive tight ends last season. He caught 16 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown and could be a key piece for 2026 with his ability to both block and make plays in the passing game.
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines 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 gets wave of key returners, including S Rod Moore
