Michigan football coach Whittingham discusses spring ball, player standouts

Wolverines coach Kyle Whittingham provides updates on spring practice, including a key injury to running back Micah Ka'apana.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:35pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented scenes of a Michigan football game, with players and the field broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette.Whittingham's first spring at Michigan showcases the program's depth and potential, despite the loss of a key offensive weapon.Ann Arbor Today

Michigan football coach Kyle Whittingham spoke to the media about the progress of spring ball, including the installation of new schemes on both sides of the ball, standout players, and the loss of running back Micah Ka'apana to a season-ending injury. Whittingham discussed the team's depth on the defensive line, the improvement of the offense, and the structure of the upcoming spring game.

Why it matters

As Michigan transitions to a new head coach in Kyle Whittingham, these spring practice updates provide insight into the direction of the program and the key players who will shape the Wolverines' 2026 season. The loss of Ka'apana is a significant blow, but Whittingham expressed confidence in the remaining running back room.

The details

Whittingham said the first 10 practices of spring ball have been productive, with the offense and defense both progressing well as they install new schemes. He highlighted several standout players, including quarterback Bryce Underwood, running back Savion Hiter, and linebacker Chase Taylor. The coach also discussed the depth on the defensive line and the need to develop more depth in the secondary and at linebacker. Whittingham praised the team's leadership and discipline under the new coaching staff.

  • The Wolverines have 10 practices down and 5 more to go, with the annual spring game scheduled for April 18.
  • Running back Micah Ka'apana is out for the 2026 season due to a lower leg injury.

The players

Kyle Whittingham

The new head coach of the Michigan football team, taking over the program after a successful tenure at Utah.

Bryce Underwood

The Wolverines' starting quarterback, who Whittingham said is making progress in learning the new offense.

Savion Hiter

A freshman running back who has impressed Whittingham with his pass protection skills.

Chase Taylor

A linebacker who Whittingham said is one of the young players at that position who has stepped up this spring.

Micah Ka'apana

The Wolverines' running back who will miss the 2026 season due to a lower leg injury.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I mean, the work is the work, and you gotta put it in, it's gotta get done. But if you can be more efficient and get it done in a more compressed amount of time, get the players on and off the field, I think that's, at least that's my feeling through the years, that that works best and keeps the players fresher.”

— Kyle Whittingham, Michigan football head coach

“They were hungry and willing, yes, absolutely. And I'm not gonna say that they were a bunch of undisciplined guys, but our structure is different than what they were used to before. And so there was a little bit of an adaptation period, a very short adaptation period, they caught on really quickly.”

— Kyle Whittingham, Michigan football head coach

What’s next

The Wolverines will hold 5 more spring practices before the annual spring game on April 18, which Whittingham said will be an opportunity to evaluate the team's depth players.

The takeaway

Whittingham's first spring at Michigan has been marked by a smooth transition to new schemes and a focus on developing depth across the roster, particularly on the defensive line and at linebacker. The loss of running back Micah Ka'apana is a setback, but the coach expressed confidence in the remaining running back room. Overall, the Wolverines appear to be making good progress under their new leadership.