Michigan football fans are counting down the days to start of the 2025 season, and who can blame them?
Bryce Underwood, the five-star quarterback, has brought a new energy to the program, which is heading into its second season under the direction of head coach Sherrone Moore.
There were ups and downs in 2024. Michigan football should have won more games, but the Wolverines were held hostage by the quarterback position, which produced one of the worst passing offenses in college football.
In terms of the passing game, Michigan can't go anywhere but up. Underwood is expected to be the Week 1 starter, although Mikey Keene, the former Fresno State starting quarterback, could have something to say about that, if he's able to get healthy.
Regardless, Underwood will play a role this season. He's not the only pivotal player for the Michigan Wolverines, though, and with that in mind, here are five players who will make or break Michigan football in the 2025 season.
QB Bryce Underwood
This is a no-brainer. It would be a surprise if Underwood wasn't the starting quarterback for the Wolverines this season.
But just how good will the freshman be? His arm is elite. He's 6-foot-5, super athletic, and is an extremely hard worker. There hasn't been anything negative said about Underwood, except from Rival fans.
There is a ton of pressure and Underwood has leaned into the hype. He's talked the talk, and in the 2025 season, he needs to walk the walk.
If he does, Michigan will be back in the College Football Playoff. Underwood doesn't even need to be a superstar, but if he's good enough to be Big Ten Freshman of the Year, watch out.
WR Donaven McCulley
The Wolverines need a No. 1 wide receiver. That was apparent last season after the departure of Roman Wilson.
Michigan didn't add any big names at wide receiver during the spring window, as some had hoped, but they did beat out Oklahoma and others for former Indiana wideout Donaven McCulley.
We have written a ton about McCuley. That's because in 2023, he was a legit No. 1 for the Indiana Hoosiers with 48 receptions for 644 yards (13.1 average). The 6-foot-5, former quarterback, also had nine games with at least three receptions that season (six times against Big Ten teams).
McCulley had 11 receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns against Illinois, as well as four receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown against Penn State. In all, during that 2023 season, McCulley had five games with 67 yards or more in Big Ten play, plus another game with 48.
This was playing for Indiana (before they got good in 2024). Michigan has a much better quarterback, as well as a solid running game. It just needs a No. 1 wideout and McCulley can be that guy.
However, that requires staying healthy and if McCulley, isn't able to do that, or be the No. 1 Michigan needs, the ceiling for the offense will be much lower.
The left tackle
Whoever ends up as the left tackle is going to play a vital role for this team. It could be Evan Link, who started at right tackle last season, but struggled.
Link started on the left side against Alabama and was fine. Brady Norton, a Cal-Poly transfer who was stellar in the FCS last season, is another name to know.
There could be some adjustment from the FCS, but Ohio State was also after Norton. The kid can play and it wouldn't shock me at all if he was the starting left tackle. True freshman Andrew Babalola is in the mix too.
Regardless, the Wolverines need a competent left tackle. It doesn't need to be an All-Big Ten player, but Michigan needs to offer Underwood some protection. The kid can run, but he can't be running for his life -- that's not the way to find success.
For every great quarterback, there is at least a competent offensive line and Michigan needs that from whoever winds up winning the left tackle job.
EDGE Derrick Moore
During his first three seasons with Michigan football, Derrick Moore has been solid. He's got 65 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. The former top-100 commitment, who was flipped from Oklahoma, has nine sacks in the past two seasons.
Moore also dominated in the ReliaQuest Bowl, yet the two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten, seems poised for a breakout season. T.J. Guy is another talented pass rusher. But Moore could be the Wolverines next first-round pick at EDGE.
The 6-foot-3, 256-pounder has all the tools to deliver a double-digit sack season. That would make him a first-round pick and would also make what should be a great defense, even better.
There are a few candidates on the roster to keep the first-round streak alive in the 2026 NFL draft. Derrick Moore is one of them.
CB Jyaire Hill
Speaking of players with first-round potential, Michigan football cornerback Jyaire Hill has been mocked as a first-round pick in 2026 by CBS Sports; that's how much upside he has.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound cornerback started nine games last season for the Wolverines and registered 35 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, and nine pass breakups.
Hill missed a few games at the end of the season, for what seemed like some maturity issues. But, when he's got his head on straight, he's as talented as any defensive back on this team.
Hill and Zeke Berry are expected to man the outside cornerback jobs, like they did down the stretch last season. It worked and Hill played well in the bowl game.
The kid has all the tools to be great, and he needs to be Michigan's Will Johnson this season. Berry will be solid, but if Hill can develop into a true shutdown corner, the Wolverines' defense might be the best in all college football, assuming Rod Moore can regain his old form.