Michigan Wolverines defensive coordinator Jay Hill told the media on Wednesday afternoon that linebackers Troy Bowles, Nathaniel Staehling and Chase Taylor are expected to start the 2026 season opener against the Western Michigan Broncos on Saturday.
The linebacker battle was a tough competition throughout fall camp, but Bowles, Staehling and Taylor have solidified themselves as the starting group. Three other linebackers will also see the field on Saturday.
“Chase Taylor, Nathaniel Steeling, and Troy Bowles are probably going to start,” Hill said. “Aisea Moa and Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng will also play, and Max Alford will maybe play. So six guys will all play.”
Bowles wasn’t a starter last season, but he was solid when thrust into action. He posted 27 total tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in 13 games. A year later, the Georgia transfer is looking to become a leader of the defense.
In addition to being a starter for the first time in his career, Bowles is taking responsibility as one of the communicators of the defense. Bowles will be one of the players responsible for helping get the entire defense ready for each play.
“Troy Bowles does a good job getting people lined up,” Hill said. “The expectation is that everybody gets the call from the sideline and knows how to line up, but a lot of the communication goes through the safeties and linebackers.”
Staehling spent four years at North Dakota State, totaling 91 tackles and three interceptions in 32 career appearances. The 6-foot-3, 241-pounder has been a standout in fall practice and earned the right to be a starter.
Taylor appeared in limited action as a true freshman in 2025 — recording 10 tackles in 10 games — but he was also frequently mentioned as a top performer in fall camp, so it’s not a surprise he earned a starting nod as well.
The linebacker position was one of Michigan’s biggest areas of concern after losing four bonafide starters from last year, as Ernest Hausmann, Jimmy Rolder, Jaishawn Barham and Cole Sullivan left the program for a number of reasons. But despite a significant overhaul in personnel, Hill remains confident in the linebacker unit he inherited.
“Those guys have done a really good job of learning a new defensive system and scheme. For as complicated as it is, they have done a good job with it,” Hill said. “The progression has been getting better every day so it’s been good.”
Michigan might not have the same production from the linebacker room it did a year ago, but Bowles, Staehling and Taylor bring a blend of athleticism, experience, physicality and speed that will allow the unit to still be effective.