​There’s no question that the Wolverines must elevate their passing attack in 2026 if they want to win more games. New head coach Kyle Whittingham and his staff seem to agree. In addition to keeping Andrew Marsh on the roster, they’ve added JJ Buchanan and Salesi Moa from Utah, along with Jaime Ffrench from Texas via the transfer portal. Earlier this week, we asked you on The Feed who you think will lead Michigan Football in receiving yards in 2026. The unit appears to offer more options for Bryce Underwood this year, but which player will finish with the most receiving yards at season’s end?
It might not surprise anyone that Marsh drew the most votes in Monday’s poll, capturing 80 percent. Given his improvement and consistency down the stretch last season, Wolverines fans are already penciling him in as a big-time contributor for 2026. He appeared in 13 games last year, recording 45 receptions for 651 yards and four touchdowns. He didn’t light it up at the start, but by the end of the year his name was on everyone’s lips.
Responses from readers echoed the sentiment. Aaron stated, “The answer is obvious. It’s Marsh. No one else will come close to his production, I assure you.” GideonC added, “Marsh is WR1 … until proven otherwise.” These voices underscored the prevailing expectation that Marsh will continue to be the primary playmaker in the passing game.
Buchanan, who received 11 percent of this week’s vote, isn’t expected to lead the team in yards despite his Utah résumé. In 2025 he had 26 catches for 427 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman. While his numbers aren’t likely to outpace Marsh, Buchanan is anticipated to be a reliable target for Underwood in 2026, especially in key situations.
MIandTRUMBULL offered a nuanced view: “Marsh in yards but Buchanan in TDs. I think we’ll pass more in the red zone, and JJ is a prime target. The passing game will be more explosive and well-schemed, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a ton more attempts.” Their take suggested a balanced attack where Marsh remains the top yardage option, Buchanan contributes in the red zone and end-zone targets, and the offense as a whole is more efficient and varied.
Jaime Ffrench drew five percent of the vote. Unlike Marsh and Buchanan, Ffrench’s college production hasn’t matched his elite-recruit status so far; he dressed for four games with Texas and caught one pass for six yards. Still, his elite recruit ranking hints at potential, and if Marsh and Buchanan garner attention from defenders, Ffrench could reap more opportunities this season. Some voters argued that his TE-like skill set could yield a noticeable bump in short-yardage and third-down scenarios, potentially making him a valuable asset in the passing game.
Spinsynco weighed in, explaining, “I voted for Ffrench because of his tight-end qualities to get open in space on short-yardage plays, though he’ll probably be a third-down and TD threat rather than a deep receiver.” Ryan 2288 added, “It wouldn’t surprise me if Ffrench has his moments, but Marsh remains the better pure athlete among the group, aside perhaps from Moa.” These comments highlighted a belief that Ffrench could contribute as a mismatch weapon in specific packages, even if he isn’t the leading yardage receiver.
There’s also the question of Salesi Moa. Many fans remain skeptical that the transfer from Utah will break out in his first season with Michigan, given the depth and options at wide receiver. His ranking in the poll was a modest, four-percent share, reflecting the general sentiment that he faces a crowded field and may take time to settle in. Still, Michigan’s staff has hinted that Moa could develop into a weapons-grade mismatch in the offense, especially in trials that require dynamic, athletic targets in space.
In the end, Marsh’s track record and the updated supporting cast make him the presumptive favorite to lead the team in receiving yards in 2026. Yet with Buchanan’s red-zone potential, Ffrench’s TE-like playmaking, and Moa’s athletic upside, the Wolverines have the talent to diversify their attack and keep defenses guessing. If Underwood can consistently deliver accurate throws and distribute the ball to multiple playmakers, Michigan could see a more efficient, explosive passing game that translates into more wins in 2026.