Former Michigan TE Jake Butt predicts Wolverines will have one of college football…
Michigan · Utah · MarshallBig Ten Network analyst Jake Butt, an ex-Michigan TE, predicts big things are ahead for the Wolverines' offense under new OC Jason Beck. Marshall broke out to lead the Wolverines ground game with 932 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 150 carries in 11 games in 2025.
And he’ll have more help in 2026 following the addition of former Five-Star Plus+ running back Savion Hiter , the No. 1-ranked player at his position in the 2026 recruiting cycle. “Really excited to see what the offense looks like with Jason Beck calling plays.
They’re going to have an identity and that’s going to be to run the football,” Butt said Monday evening on The Big Ten Network . “And I believe with the offensive line, they return a ton of talent up front, but especially the running backs with Jordan Marshall – maybe he can be in the Heisman conversation throughout this season.
[ $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage ] In fact, Butt believes in Beck’s offensive scheme so much, he’s already predicting Michigan running back Jordan Marshall could propel himself into the 2026 Heisman Trophy race with a strong junior season.
KEY POINTS
- Big Ten Network analyst Jake Butt — a former Michigan tight end — is expecting an award-winning season from the Wolverines’ ground game in the first season under the direction of new offensive coordinator Jason Beck , who followed Whittingham from Utah.
- Michigan enters the 2026 college football season flying under the radar a little.
- Much of that can be attributed to the natural uncertainty surrounding a Wolverines program approaching Year 1 under former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham .
- Of course, not everyone is exactly ambivalent about what to expect from Whittingham’s new-look Wolverines in 2026.