Why didn't Michigan EDGE TJ Guy play against Central Michigan?

No. 21 Michigan Wolverines football played 88 players in a 63-3 win over Central Michigan, but graduate EDGE TJ Guy wasn’t one of them, even though he wasn’t listed as ‘out’ or questionable on the availability report. He was in uniform, and stood on the sideline both with and without his helmet at different points during the blowout victory. Guy started three games last season and the first two contests for the Wolverines this year.

Interim head coach Biff Poggi was asked about his status during his Monday press conference leading into this week’s matchup at Nebraska.

“TJ’s fine,” Poggi revealed. “Just using a game plan [against] a heavy run team, so we wanted some bigger bodies in there on that, but no issues with TJ. And he understands it. He’s a complete team player, and all good with it.”

Central Michigan is a heavy run team, ranking tied 26th in the nation with 41.7 attempts per game, and that’s after attempting only 33 rushes versus the Wolverines.

Michigan, however, played six different EDGEs against the Chippewas — senior Jaishawn Barham, senior Derrick Moore, sophomore Dominic Nichols, junior Cameron Brandt, freshman Nate Marshall and sophomore Lugard Egokpayi. At 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, Guy is a bigger body than Marshall (6-3, 240) and Barham (6-3, 243), according to Michigan’s official roster.

Additionally, regardless of opponent, Guy has played a key role on the Michigan defense the last two seasons, logging 20-plus defensive snaps in every game last season and 38-plus in each of the first two outings this year. The Brockton, Mass., native has been productive in 2025, notching his first career interception in the 34-17 win over New Mexico and posting 4 tackles, including a half-stop for loss, in a 24-13 loss at Oklahoma.

Poggi said Michigan’s standout player handled the benching well.

“He’s a team guy. He’s really a team guy,” he said. “He gets the differences in game plans, and he’ll be totally fine. He’ll have a great game this weekend. I have no issues about that.”

The Wolverines unveiled a new wrinkle on the defensive line last week, playing Barham — typically an off-ball linebacker — exclusively at EDGE and allowing sophomore linebacker Cole Sullivan to take snaps there, too. Poggi said he’s seen growth from the position group.

“I thought the EDGE guys are getting better every week,” the Michigan coach said. “I don’t want to get out over my skis and say ‘elite,’ but when you look at that room and you see No. 8, you see No. 1, you see No. 9, occasionally you see No. 23, you see No. 4, you see 33. I don’t know, if it’s not the best, it’s awful close to it. Deep, experienced, twitchy, good football players — and very selfless kids.”