The Kyle Whittingham era in Ann Arbor got its public debut over the weekend, as Michigan hosted a spring scrimmage pitting the blue and maize teams, relatively even splits from the roster, against each other.
The maize team prevailed, 7-6, as the Wolverines wrap up spring and get ready for a crucial summer before embarking on fall camp and the 2026 season.
Rachel Leggett shot the game for Mitten Football, and here's a select gallery of her work. See her full gallery here.
A tackling dummy puts on a mean face at Michigan Stadium ahead of Michigan's spring game. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Utah edge transfer John Henry Daley, who recovering from a ruptured Achilles, arrives at Michigan Stadium. He's expected to be ready by June. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)The Wolverines wore artwork from patients at UM Mott Children's Hospital on their pregame warmups. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)It was Michigan's first time back in front of fans at Michigan Stadium in 2026. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Offensive tackle Andrew Babalola, who received rave reviews in camp last fall as a freshman, is still recovering from a torn ACL. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Head coach Kyle Whittingham and offensive coordinator Jason Beck talk pregame. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football) The maize team warms up ahead of the game. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Defensive coordinator Jay Hill shakes hands with players pregame. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Oklahoma transfer Taylor Tatum has made the transition to safety this spring. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)The starters didn't play long on Saturday but they certainly had fun. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)True freshman running back Savion Hiter impressed in his debut. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)The maize team takes the field, led by Blake Frazier (No. 77) (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Hiter showed his versatility on Saturday, too. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Jordan Marshall and Hiter figure to make up the lead pairing in Michigan's backfield. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)The blue team celebrates a 4th down goal line stop by defensive lineman Bobby Kanka. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Kanka gets some love from his teammates. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)QB Tommy Carr, the current backup as a true freshman, looked good in his extended action. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)It was also the debut for Michigan's new coaching staff, including Freddie Whittingham (black jacket) and Micah Simon (vintage Tom Brady jersey). (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)The 2s and 3s went fully live after the 1s played at a "thud" tempo. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Whittingham watches on as his inaugural Michigan team wraps up spring practice. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Underwood signals ahead after a play in the non-contact period. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Underwood looks across the formation presnap. He played all of the first period before giving way to Carr and Chase Herbstreit. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Marshall squeezes through the line in his limited action Saturday. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)New special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs reacts to a play during the scrimmage. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Tight end Eli Owens signals for a first down after a 16-yard catch. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Carr celebrates Tomas O'Meara punching in the game-winning score for the maize team. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)The maize defense celebrates a game-sealing incompletion. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Underwood went over to high five fans after breaking a huddle later in the scrimmage. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Postgame autograph opportunities were plenty, including with new wideout JJ Buchanan. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Jo'Ziah Edmond rocks the Buffs postgame. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Spirits were high for the maize team with the win. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Super senior Rod Moore with some of the maize team postgame. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Moore and the crew eventually got fully posed. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Herbstreit walks off talking with transfer quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, who didn't dress for the scrimmage. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)Underwood and Co. evidently had a good time wrapping up spring practice, and now have the month of May off. (Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)
