As the Kyle Whittingham era begins in Ann Arbor, the Michigan Wolverines must make significant changes to their pass rush and a few other important aspects of their roster.
John Henry Daley, an edge rusher who came to Michigan with Kyle Whittingham via the transfer portal this offseason from Utah, is one of the most important players who could make or break the 2026 college football season for the Wolverines. Regretfully, he won’t be able to do much when spring football begins soon since he tore his Achilles in November. What’s the good news? The injury news he provided will thrill Michigan supporters.
John Henry Daley’s recovery is progressing “better than expected. “
First of all, John Henry Daley is a monster pass rusher, and Michigan is fortunate to have him on their squad in 2026, for those who are not acquainted with him.
During his first two years of college, Daley had flown entirely under the radar, playing a total of fewer than 100 defensive snaps. Then 2025 arrived. After at last earning a full-time starting position, Daley never glanced back, recording at least one sack in seven consecutive games to begin last fall for Utah. He slowed down somewhat from that point before rupturing his Achilles against Kansas State, but in 2025 alone, Daley recorded more than 50 pressures, double-digit sacks, and blew up close to 30 run plays for neutral or negative gains.
In a recent interview with The Wolverine, Daley discussed how fantastic the recruitment process was, how much he already feels at home in Michigan, and most importantly (for supporters) how quickly he is recovering from his injury.
According to Daley, “Everybody’s blown away with the progress [he] has made so far,” and his recovery is, “going better than expected. “
At first, when Daley tore his Achilles, it was immediately thought that he wouldn’t be able to perform much on a football field for at least six months, let alone get back up to full speed. But, considering the encouraging news (from Daley as well as his surgeon, apparently), Wolverines fans may anticipate seeing him on the football field in time for the summer events. And my word, how badly Michigan needs him back in good health right now!
This spring, the Wolverines released their three most prolific edge rushers from 2025—TJ Guy, Jaishawn Barham, and Derrick Moore—to the 2026 NFL Draft. Although Cameron Brandt does return to the team, he is the sole genuine edge defender on the 2026 squad who played over 200 snaps on defense for Michigan last year. Even when Daley recovers from his injury, there may still be significant depth concerns along the defensive line.
Daley will undoubtedly need to step up this season as the immediate successor to Derrick Moore (who had himself recorded double-digit sacks the previous year) under Whittingham, the new head coach of Michigan. Brandt only recorded one sack for the whole year. Dominic Nichols also managed one. In addition to Daley and those two alternatives, the Michigan defense seems quite inexperienced on the flanks. The good news? Daley seems to be making great progress toward recovery and good health.
