Michigan football hit the field for spring ball last week, and on Monday, head coach Sherrone Moore met with the media to discuss how things have gone so far.
Moore reiterated on Monday that Michigan football will hold a spring game on April 19th. That's not going to change he said.
Fans will be excited about that, especially since it will be their first introduction to Bryce Underwood. The quarterback position was a hot topic of conversation, yet Moore addressed a bunch of other positions, and here's what we have learned so far from that, and other spring rumblings.
Bryce Underwood looks the part
Whether it was the highlight video of Underwood throwing the ball that made its way around social media, the testimony of players and coaches, or sources from reporters, it's clear that Underwood's talent is meeting the hype.
Chip Lindsey talked about how he was all business and has worked extremely hard. The ball just looks different when Underwood is throwing it. That's something that was said about J.J. McCarthy and it was true.
That doesn't mean Mikey Keene won't be the starter. Moore talked him up a lot on Monday and said that the quarterbacks are all getting equal reps right now.
However, it continues to feel like Underwood will be the starting quarterback for Michigan football sooner rather than later.
The running backs are the real deal
Regardless of who plays quarterback, the running game will be a focal point for Michigan football in 2025. There are question marks along the offensive line, and we'll get to that in a second, but the running back room should be one of the best in college football with Jordan Marshall, a 100-yard rusher in the ReliaQuest Bowl, as well as Alabama transfer Justice Haynes.
“They’ve been awesome,” Moore said of the Michigan football running backs via The Wolverine. “It’s an awesome room. It’s a competitive room. They’re together just like the quarterbacks, just like every other room — everybody competes, but they’re all aligned together.
“They’ve been great. Jordan has kinda picked up where he left off in the bowl game. We haven’t had tackling yet, but he’s been great. Ben has continued to climb and do the same thing, so feel good about those guys.”
Benjamin Hall is another that should contribute, but the early returns are great on the running back room, although, you don't learn a ton about the running backs until you go full bore.
The big receivers are making an impact
The wide receiver room has been a major question mark too for the Wolverines. They added a couple from the transfer portal but they weren't the big-name additions some fans were hoping for, although Oklahoma was battling Michigan for Donaven McCulley.
McCulley, who is 6-foot-5, is better than people realize, or can be if healthy all season. He had 648 yards for Indiana in 2023, including six Big Ten games with 65 yards or more.
Yet, Andrew Marsh and Jamar Browder, two freshman wideouts have turned heads. Moore said he wanted more size in the receiver room and that so far, those guys are "making plays."
“I feel like that group has obviously grown in size,” Moore said via The Wolverine. “That was an emphasis from me. I wanted big receivers, and with him and Donaven McCulley and bringing in Jacob Washington and even Andrew Marsh — he’s not a small guy, he’s a long-limbed guy — I feel like we’ve brought in really good size in that group to help us be more explosive in the passing game. And that’s what I wanted.”
Some offensive line shuffling
Improved offensive line play will be one of the biggest keys for Michigan football this season. The Wolverines were in the mix for some top transfers, and added two, but the offensive line is mostly expected to be returning players.
Sherrone Moore said he "felt good" about the offensive line so far. He confirmed that Evan Link was staying at left tackle for now but also that it was early.
The early returns on Andrew Babalola have been good, according to Chris Balas of The Wolverine, who also reported that Giovanni El-Hadi is playing left guard now, along with Nathan Efobi at right guard.
Andrew Sprague is expected to the be starter at right tackle. He held up well in the bowl game but Michigan either needs some young talent to emerge or needs another tackle.
However, that's easier said than done and the smart money right now is probably on Link to be the opening game starter at left tackle.
Not much dropoff expected on defensive line
This is a point we have hammered home this offseason, but even after losing three NFL draft picks in Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, and Josaiah Stewart, who should all go in the first two rounds, the Wolverines don't expect much dropoff on the defensive line.
Rayshaun Benny has changed to No. 55, Graham's old number and he has been "outstanding" according to Sherrone Moore who also had positive things to say about Tre Williams and Damon Payne.
“Rayshaun’s done an outstanding job,” Moore said via The Wolverine. “He had a really great offseason and looks great. Tre and Damon have been awesome. They’ve just assimilated into the culture. They put their head down and work. They’ve been great. It’s been a very seamless transition for both of them, and they’ve done a really good job in the first three practices.”
Derrick Moore and TJ Guy will each be early-round draft picks in 2026, along with Benny. Frankly, Benny and Moore could each be first-round picks. Moore added that Jaishawn Barham will also move around, in addition to saying positive things about Cameron Brandt and Dominic Nichols.
The offensive line is a work in progress, much like the offense. Yet, the Michigan football defense feels like it will be among the elite in college football again, thanks to a stellar defensive line.