‘Kick Him Off the Team,’ ‘Not Sure How You Keep Him’ — Calls Mount for Michigan to Cut Ties With TE Zack Marshall After Controversial Texts Go Viral

Ahead of Week 6 of the college football season, drama is brewing in Michigan over leaked texts from Michigan Wolverines tight end Zack Marshall, and opinions of the senior aren’t exactly in his favor.

Fans Sound Off After Leaked Michigan Wolverines Tight End Zack Marshall Texts

Through Week 5, the Wolverines are 3-2, coming off back-to-back losses to the Iowa Hawkeyes and, most recently, the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

In the loss to the Hawkeyes, Michigan lost 20-19, and quarterback Bryce Underwood completed 17 of 28 passes for 276 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.

He followed that up with a stat line of 10 of 21 passing for 101 yards and two interceptions. Now, through five weeks, Underwood ranks 76th in PFN’s CFB Quarterback Impact metrics with a 75.1.

There have been question marks around Underwood, including from CBS writer Brandon Marcello, who had a lot to say about the signal-caller, noting questions about his commitment to football.

This is important context because after the loss to the Golden Gophers, Marshall sent a text to a group chat that was later leaked.

“Basically our offense sucks cause if you blitz us we have no answers… we have an extra OL on the field every play and run different versions of power read every play 🤡. Also beck tells Bryce where to go on every play and it gets strapped. Bryce is a good qb, beck is a problem. (I never said this and this better not ever leave this group chat),” Marshall said in the group text thread, referencing Underwood and offensive coordinator Jason Beck.

When these were first leaked, it was unclear whether Marshall had actually said them, but Marshall later came out and apologized.

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“Last weekend, in the hours after we lost, I made some inappropriate comments that I regret. This 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. I will always be proud to represent Michigan and will continue to give everything I have for this program. I love Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan, and Team 147,” Marshall said on X.

“Well, the haters were right… Zack Marshall group chat comments were real… not sure how you keep him on the team,” Chat Sports founder James T. Yoder said on X.

“The Zack Marshall situation is a perfect opportunity for Kyle Whittingham to make an example of someone and reaffirm his culture in my opinion. Kick him off the team and send a clear message. If you don’t like what’s going on here then you can leave or we will make you leave,” another fan said.

“Zach Marshall is a 4th year player and he’s 21 years old. He’s in a group chat with a bunch of nobody’s [expletive]-talking his coaches lol. Hard to feel bad for him here,” someone else said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Michigan had not publicly announced any discipline for Marshall, making it a situation to monitor.

Across four seasons with the Wolverines, Marshall has caught 16 passes for 199 yards. He hasn’t caught a pass this season.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.