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3 freshmen who can help Bryce Underwood get Michigan back to College Football Playoff

The Michigan football team needs a few freshman to step up if the Wolverines are going to get back to the College Football Playoff.
ByChris Peterson|
Team Blue quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) makes a pass against Team Maize during the second half of the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
Team Blue quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) makes a pass against Team Maize during the second half of the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 19, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Michigan football has one of the most highly-touted freshmen classes in all of college football. That class, which ranked in the top 10, according to the 247 Sports composite and the On3 Industry rankings, is led by five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood.

Underwood is expected to be the opening-game starter for Michigan football at quarterback. A lot rides on what he can do in 2025. Others will be important too. For Michigan to reach its ceiling, Underwood and some other freshmen need to deliver.

Here are three not named Bryce Underwood.

Andrew Babalola, LT

Michigan doesn't have a clear-cut starter at left tackle. Evan Link is one option. Brady Norton, the Cal-Poly transfer who excelled in the FCS is another.

Babalola, who was the No. 1 pick in the Michigan spring game draft, is the highest-ranked offensive tackle signee in program history.

The 6-foot-6, 300-pounder could up the ceiling for this Michigan squad if he can lock down the starting left tackle job, and play well, early in his career.

Andrew Marsh, WR

Every Michigan football fan knows that the Wolverines need more wide receivers to emerge. U-M added some underrated pieces from the portal, but Marsh, the 6-foot, wide receiver, is from Texas and was ranked in the top 100 coming out of high school.

Marsh enrolled early and played well this spring. He should have a rapport with Underwood. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound wide receiver had over 3,500 receiving yards in high school. If he could have even 500 next season, that'd be huge for the Wolverines.

Jamar Browder, WR

Another wideout, Jamar Browder, is a different kind of player -- at least outside of Donaven McCulley -- than most on the Michigan football roster.

Browder is 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, and another player who made an impression this spring. Browder has shown a knack for coming down with jump balls.. He was a three-star recruit out of high school, but if you watch this highlight video, it's easy to believe he will outplay that ranking.

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