Michigan special teams return outlook hinges on Andrew Marsh and Savion Hiter, with Kerry Coombs in charge

Michigan’s kickoff and punt return units were a point of frustration the past season, and Yahoo Sports’ latest preseason look argues the solution could start with two specific return candidates. The report names Andrew Marsh and Savion Hiter as the favorites to handle kick returns and punt returns for the Wolverines, positioning both as immediate options in a role that can swing field position quickly.

The case for an upgrade is easy to understand. Michigan ranked No. 104 in kickoff returns and No. 122 in punt returns last season, according to the same Yahoo Sports breakdown. Those numbers suggest missed opportunities in a phase of the game that can create momentum without changing the offense’s personnel or the defense’s scheme.

The article also frames the return-game improvement as a coaching priority, pointing to Kerry Coombs as Michigan’s respected special teams coordinator. Coombs’ reputation, as described in the preview, matters because special teams is where teaching details and rep-to-rep consistency show up fastest. For return units, that includes clean exchange timing, secure hands under pressure, and the ability to find seams before coverage teams close.

In that context, Marsh and Hiter are presented as the most likely infusion of talent and decision-making on returns. While the preview does not lay out a full depth chart, the emphasis on these two players indicates Michigan’s intention to rely on specific skill sets rather than treat returns as an afterthought. Kick and punt return roles typically demand a blend of patience and explosiveness, because the best return starts are often created by reading leverage and anticipating angles from the coverage team.

It also matters that this is happening in the offseason and early preseason stage, when competition for return duties can still be dynamic. Coaches often sort returners based on practice consistency and how they respond to different live-ball looks. That means Marsh and Hiter being called the “favorites” should be read as an early projection, not a guarantee that the final return jobs will look identical by kickoff.

Michigan’s special teams need is straightforward: better production in both kickoff and punt returns so the defense is not always starting from short or compromised field positions. Return games can also change how opponents approach the next snap. If coverage units expect a faster threat, they may adjust kick depths and punt trajectories, which can indirectly open up the game for the rest of the roster.

The next step is watching who actually earns the reps in games, and whether Michigan’s return unit shows the improvements that the rankings from last season imply were missing. If Marsh and Hiter are used early and often, they will quickly reveal their value not just through returns, but through ball security, decision-making in traffic, and how often Michigan gets the ball to a usable starting spot.