Michigan Monday mailbag: What would stop U-M offense from elite 2026?

One potential obstacle: Bryce Underwood's development. The QB should thrive in an RPO-heavy power-spread attack but last month's spring game (admittedly an extremely small sample size and not a true representation of what will be seen in the fall) wasn't a great look. He forced some balls into coverage, left the pocket with minimal pressure other times and flat-out missed some other throws. He went 3-for-9 for 22 yards, but again, that was 10 semi-live minutes out of 15 practices.

Michigan running back Savion Hiter, left, and quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) take the field for the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Underwood's internal clock and mechanical adjustments will be crucial. He showed flashes of speed, power and arm talent in a true freshman season with a coaching staff that perhaps wasn't as focused or nuanced as this one appears to be. A sophomore jump is likely – but not a given.

If Underwood goes from underwhelming to above-average, that would put Michigan in a good spot. If he ranks among the Big Ten's top five in production and efficiency, if not star power, it would be hard to see how the offense wouldn't be leaps and bounds better than 2025.

It's not fair to put the onus on one player, but such is the life of a quarterback at Michigan.

Will the NCAA allow the 5 in 5 rule to allow Roddy to potentially return? – @cameronxstokes

In short, no.

Last week, the Division I board of directors directed the Division I cabinet to adopt an age-based eligibility concept that, if used as is currently constituted, would allow student-athletes five years of eligibility, beginning in the regular academic year after they turn 19 or graduate from high school − whichever comes first.

Michigan guard Roddy Gayle Jr. (11) moves the ball down the court during the second half of the NCAA national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Monday, April 6, 2026.

Still, the ruling (which still needs to be passed this summer to take effect before the next academic year begins) would not grandfather in the outgoing senior class, meaning Roddy Gayle Jr. would not be eligible to return.

It does, however, change the calculus for someone like L.J. Cason. U-M's backup guard tore his ACL in February; shortly thereafter, coach Dusty May announced the sophomore would redshirt the 2026-27 season, his third in Ann Arbor, to preserve his eligibility. However, if he's only allowed five years to play in college, healthy or not, there's no reason to limit him if he feels like playing.

The thinking behind the redshirt is that 35 games from him in 2027-28 and, and perhaps another season after that, as opposed to burning a season for a potential 8-15 games at the end of 2026-27. But if he's allowed five years regardless, all that's preventing a Cason return is how he responds during his recovery process.

“Obviously that changes the dynamics,” May said last week. “Do you use [someone in that position] in February? You just have to make sure they’re ready to go.”

Who are Michigan still targeting in the portal for Basketball [with Juke Harris out of the picture]? Hamad Mousa seems to be name floating around – @harveydarin26

Some version of this is the most common question I've received in the past week and right now, the Wolverines are keeping it pretty close to the vest. To be clear, U-M's staff feel they have a roster right now (even without Juke Harris) that could not only compete in the Big Ten, but get them to Detroit next year for the Final Four.

That said, if there is a spot to add depth to on the roster, it appears to be the wing. One name starting to percolate nationally is Mousa, a forward from Cal Poly.

Dec 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Donovan Dent (2) is defended by Cal Poly Mustangs guard Hamad Mousa (10) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The 6-foot-8, 200-pound forward just finished his freshman season and put himself in position to play at a higher level (and a bigger paycheck) after he averaged 20.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 31.1 minutes a night over 28 games.

Michigan is keeping its options open as far as a potential addition; Mousa is a viable target, but at this stage, no addition appears imminent.

Describe the differences reporting from the field on the football championship vs. reporting on the court for the basketball championship. Which did you enjoy more? – @JacklLang

Michigan celebrates winning the NCAA national championship against Connecticut at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Monday, April 6, 2026.

Let's start with the fact that I've been fortunate enough to cover two national championships in four years as the Freep's Michigan beat writer − that, after the two programs combined for two national titles in the previous 146 seasons combined.

But I'd have to say the basketball title this year – and this isn't recency bias – takes the cake. The team made history in wins (37), conference victories (19), Big Ten wins on the road (10 in 10 tries, becoming the first team in the league in 50 years to go unbeaten) and wins of 40 or more points, more than any Big Ten team ever.

Beyond that, I had great access to the team. I was able to sit down with Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara on the West Coast, we had open locker rooms for nearly a month straight in the postseason and players such as like Nimari Burnett and Will Tschetter offered full-circle moments, as they were part of both the worst and best seasons the program has had.

It was a truly enjoyable team, both on and off the court, and the staff cultivated an environment that was welcoming.

The football team's 2023 season was historic too, of course. Going 15-0 has only happened a few times this century (yes, Indiana just went 16-0), and to be at an overtime victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl is probably the No. 1 game I've ever been blessed to cover. The Wolverines' run to a College Football Playoff title included a highly contested victory over Ohio State and then the title tame over Washington, which felt like a formality in Houston.

But I can't think about that season without everything else that came along with it, namely the Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal. This is not the space to relitigate all that happened. But there were people on staff who deliberately broke the rules and, at minimum, attempted to gain an edge on the field. Many of those coaches have been given show-cause orders.

Having to cover that on a daily basis was rather draining and sapped some of the good vibes out of it, at least from someone in the weeds with it for months and what turned into years. I do believe that, though, that the Wolverines were the best team in the country and several players − Mike Sainristil, Michael Barrett, J.J. McCarthy, Zak Zinter and Trevor Keegan, to name a few − were a joy to cover.

But when comparing the two? The hoops team is No. 1 again.

Tony Garcia is the Michigan 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: 'Mail, Yes!' How eligibility changes affect Michigan basketball roster