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Michigan projects UNLV transfer Cameron Brown at punter after his 40.6-yard net average ranked 43rd nationally, a meaningful upgrade target for a unit that finished 97th at 38.5 yards last season.

Trey Butkowski is expected to replace Dominic Zvada at kicker after making 19 of 22 attempts for Pittsburgh, offering strong short- and intermediate-range consistency without Zvada's demonstrated 50-yard range.

Starting receiver Andrew Marsh and starting corner Smith Snowden have taken substantial kick- and punt-return reps, while freshman running back Savion Hiter has also worked on kickoff returns.

Marsh is the projected lead returner after averaging 23.6 yards on 16 kickoffs and 11.3 yards on four punts last season, although Michigan must balance that upside against his central offensive role.

Kyle Whittingham's Utah teams were generally conservative about returning kickoffs, so Michigan's willingness to give Marsh and its other starters a green light remains the largest unresolved special-teams strategy question.