Zeke Berry mulled the idea of leaving Michigan. His agency even told several national outlets that he was planning to enter the transfer portal.
He never did, and now the starting defensive back is planning to return to the Wolverines in 2026, according to a Tuesday morning report from ESPN.
Berry has yet to make any public announcements. Michigan has not acknowledged the decision, though a team spokesman clarified that the two-year starter never asked the school for entry into the portal.
His return follows a series of return announcements on Monday, highlighted by freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, who signaled his plan to play ay Michigan under new head coach Kyle Whittingham.
A two-time all-Big Ten player, Berry made 22 starts for the Wolverines over the last two seasons. He’s split much of his time between outside corner and a slot-corner role that fit his 5-foot-11, 195-pound frame.
In 2025, Berry totaled 33 tackles, an interception and team-high 10 pass breakups for a Michigan pass defense that ranked 54th nationally. He missed two games due to injury.
Berry has one more year of college eligibility. He redshirted in 2022, became a regular contributor on special teams in ‘23 and worked his way up the depth chart in the secondary the last two seasons.
Whittingham hired Jay Hill as Michigan’s new defensive coordinator, and two position coaches dedicated to the secondary, Jernaro Gilford (cornerbacks) and Tyler Stockton (safeties).
