Michigan TE apologizes for 'inappropriate' criticism of OC Beck

• 

  Adam RittenbergOct 6, 2026, 02:37 PM ET

  Close

  College football reporter; joined ESPN in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University.

Michigan tight end Zack Marshall apologized for making "inappropriate comments" after a leaked group text showed messages attributed to him that criticized offensive coordinator Jason Beck and the offensive scheme.

"Last weekend, in the hours after we lost, I made some inappropriate comments that I regret," Marshall posted Tuesday to X. "The game is won and lost as a team, and I pointed fingers instead of taking accountability. I let my frustrations speak for me in an emotional moment. I apologize to my teammates and coaches for the unnecessary drama that this has caused."

A Michigan spokesman told ESPN that the coaches are aware of the situation and have discussed the situation with Marshall, a senior from Carlsbad, California.

The group text, posted to X by College Transfer Portal, included messages alleged to have come from Marshall that said Beck had met with the tight ends and "told us none of us are valuable to this offense."

Another message noted that Michigan's offense struggles against the blitz because it "runs different versions of the power read on every play." Another said quarterback Bryce Underwood "is a good QB, beck is a problem."

Michigan's offense ranks 105th nationally in scoring, 122nd in yards per game and 91st in raw QBR after five games. Coach Kyle Whittingham said following Saturday's 20-14 loss at Minnesota that the offense's performance is "unacceptable" and that "some tough decisions" could be coming.

Beck oversaw the nation's No. 4 scoring offense in 2025 while working for Whittingham at Utah.

Hogan Hansen leads Michigan's tight ends with five receptions this fall. The Wolverines are off this week before hosting Penn State on Oct. 17.