The University of Michigan football program has announced key developments ahead of the 2026 season, including the appointment of four team captains and a rescheduled non-conference game against Eastern Michigan University. The matchup between the Wolverines and the Eagles has been moved from Sept. 18 to Sept. 11, 2027, as part of broader NCAA schedule changes.

Team Captains Named for 2026 Season

The Michigan football program announced four team captains on Monday: Jordan Marshall, Bryce Underwood, Rod Moore, and Trey Pierce. Running back Jordan Marshall and quarterback Bryce Underwood were chosen to represent the offense, while safety Rod Moore and defensive tackle Trey Pierce lead the defense. Moore becomes the first player in the program’s history to be named captain for a third time.

According to football-aktuell, the captain selection is the highest honor for a Michigan football player and is voted on by teammates — the tradition of naming captains was established in 2020 by the Monroe-Brown Foundation in partnership with the Brown family. In addition to the captains, 12 players were named to the Leadership Council for the 2026 season, including S Nico Andrighetto, CB Zeke Berry, and OL Blake Frazier.

Eastern Michigan Game Rescheduled in 2027

The Eastern Michigan University and University of Michigan football programs have adjusted the date of their 2027 non-conference matchup to Sept. 11, according to EMUEagles.com. Previously scheduled for Sept. 18, the game was moved to align with the new NCAA FBS football calendar, which standardizes the season for all teams within a 14-week window. The new calendar allows teams to play up to 12 games and have two open Saturdays, eliminating earlier exceptions for first contests.

Eastern Michigan will return to Ann Arbor for a second matchup with Michigan in 2030, on Sept. 7. The teams have played 10 times historically, with Michigan winning all 10 games, including a 31-3 victory in their most recent meeting on Sept. 17, 2011.

Leadership and Organizational Changes

The University of Michigan has also announced changes in its athletic leadership, but Athletic Director Warde Manuel will step down from his role at the end of the calendar year, as reported by football-aktuell. The university conducted an internal investigation into the management and culture of its athletics department, which identified areas for improvement, including leadership accountability, organizational structure, and reporting culture.

The investigation, which cost $12 million, found that Manuel had shortcomings in responding quickly and effectively to misconduct allegations within the department — the university has not released the full report but provided a summary of findings. A statement from the university emphasized that the results of an independent review by law firm Jenner & Block would be shared through a video message from President Domenico Grasso and a dedicated website.

Klein, who had one year of NCAA eligibility remaining, was selected as a team captain in 2025 despite his remaining eligibility, he recorded 24 receptions for 248 yards and a touchdown in 11 games last season. The changes come as the university continues to evaluate its athletic programs, including the recent departure of German tight end Marlin Klein, who announced his intent to enter the 2026 NFL Draft.