The 2025 Michigan football season is getting closer by the day. We are less than 50 days away from the season opener against New Mexico.
That will be the debut of Bryce Underwood as the Wolverines' starting quarterback. We talked about the quarterback position in our position battle previews, but everyone expects Underwood to be the starter Week 1.
There are some interesting battles taking place this spring. As far as how the two-deep will play out, here's our prediction a few weeks before Michigan football fall camp.
QB: Bryce Underwood, Mikey Keene, Jake Garcia
Underwood has an incredible arm. But people seem to underestimate his ability to run the football. Sherrone Moore said in a recent interview with Sam Webb of The Michigan Insider, that he "didn't know how fast (Underwood) was, but that's he's fast and does conditioning with the skill guys."
Underwood's player comparisons are Vince Young and Cam Newton for a reason. Yes, he's got an elite arm. But he's 6-foot-4, over 220 pounds, and can make things happen with his feet. That will prove to be a nightmare for defenses.
I also think Chip Lindsey will actually use that ability. Michigan didn't much with J.J. McCarthy. Garcia and Keene will be an interesting battle for the backup job. Garcia has created some positive buzz.
In an ideal world, neither would see the field this season, and Garcia would return for the 2026 season to hold Underwood's clipboard again.
Running back: Jordan Marshall or Justice Haynes; CJ Hester; FB: Max Bredeson and Jalen Hoffman
Marshall and Justice Haynes are going to be 1A and 1B. It will be similar to the way it has been the past four seasons for Michigan football.
In 2021, you had mostly Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum carrying the ball. Then it was Corum and Edwards, before it was Mullings and Edwards last season.
You need two good backs to run the ball the way Michigan wants to. Haynes averaged six yards per carry at Alabama. He had 448 yards on 79 attempts (5.7) with seven touchdowns last season.
There's a narrative that Alabama didn't want him back. I don't know why, he was productive when given opportunities. At Michigan, he will thrive.
Marshall offered a glimpse into what he can do in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The sophomore is poised for a big season, and I see each back rushing for 800 - 1,000 yards. CJ Hester, the UMass transfer will probably be the No. 3, but as we have seen, there isn't much work leftover.
As far as the fullback position or H-Back, that belongs to Max Bredeson. He's a weapon and maybe the best lead blocker in college football at his position. I'm wondering if Lindsey will throw the ball more to him, using play-action, because he's such a run key for defenses, but either way, Bredeson will prove extremely valuable to Michigan once again this season, well beyond what the box score shows.
WR1s: Donaven McCulley, Semaj Morgan or Anthony Simpson, Fred Moore; WR2s: Andrew Marsh, Peyton O'Leary, Channing Goodwin, and Jamar Browder
There's no doubt about the No. 1 wide receiver for Michigan football. That's Donaven McCulley. Sherrone Moore even said recently that McCulley reminded the staff of Nico Collins at times this spring.
The 6-foot-5 former QB did have 644 receiving yards with Indiana two years ago. Anthony Simpson had 792 yards for UMass in that same season. They should be among the top four wideouts, along with Fred Moore and Semaj Morgan.
Peyton O'Leary and Channing Goodwin should see increased roles this season. However, it's only a matter of time before Andrew Marsh starts to emerge.
If McCulley and Simpson are each healthy and can find their form from 2023, this wide receiver room will be much better than expected.
TE: Marlin Klein, Hogan Hansen and Zack Marshall
The tight ends have had a huge impact on the Michigan football offense over the past four seasons. The Wolverines have had three tight ends drafted in the last three drafts. Erick All also looked headed for an NFL career before injuries derailed it.
Klein has the raw tools to be an NFL player. He's a stellar athlete and improved as a blocker. We'll see if he can put it all together. Hansen looks like the real deal.
The 6-foot-5 tight end only caught one pass last season but he's going to take a huge leap in production. Klein and Hansen combined for 14 receptions last season. They also didn't have Bryce Underwood as the quarterback. That will make a huge difference.
Both players should be more productive, but Hansen feels like the breakout player this season at the tight end position for Michigan football.
O-Line starters (L to R): Evan Link, Giovanni El-Hadi, Greg Crippen, Nathan Efobi, and Andrew Sprague; Backups: Andrew Babalola, Brady Norton, Lawrence Hattar, Jake Guarnera, and Blake Frazier
The offensive line has multiple position battles to watch during the fall. Greg Crippen, Andrew Sprague, and Giovanni El-Hadi all feel secure in their starting roles.
I'd be shocked if any of those three didn't start every game for Michigan football this season, barring injury. The other spots are where the intrigue begins.
It starts at left tackle -- one of the most important positions on the field. Evan Link started at right tackle last season, but struggled. He did fine in the bowl game against Alabama on the left side, but can he hold up all season?
Andrew Babalola is the highest-rated offensive tackle commitment in program history. He's going to be a first-round pick someday, but will he be ready this season? I'm guessing that Link starts the season at left tackle, but Babalola is the guy by the time November rolls around.
Nathan Efobi and Lawrence Hattar should be an interesting battle at right guard. That one could go either way. Efobi probably has more talent, but Hattar is a veteran, a former D-2 All-American, and I don't see him giving up the job without a fight.
D-line starters: Rayshaun Benny, Tre Williams, Damon Payne; Backups: Trey Pierce, Ike Iwunnah, Enow Etta
Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant will be playing in the NFL this season. However, there won't be as much of a drop off as people expect.
Rayshaun Benny might be the best defensive tackle in the Big Ten this season. Tre Williams, who had two sacks in Clemson's playoff loss to Texas, just needs to put it all together. The same can be said about Payne.
Both players have been productive though for Clemson and Alabama. They'll help make the run defense stout again. Enow Etta will be hard to keep off the field, especially in pass-rush situations. Iwunnah and Pierce both played well against Alabama.
Michigan is legitimately six deep on the defensive interior. That's why Sherrone Moore said recently, "They're all starters."
The defensive tackle position has been a strength of this defense for the past four years. That won't change in 2025.
EDGE: Derrick Moore, TJ Guy; Backups: Cameron Brandt, Dominic Nichols, Nate Marshall
If there's a better group of pass rushers in college football, I'd love to see it.
Getting Derrick Moore and TJ Guy back for another season was huge for Michigan football. Both EDGE players would have been drafted.
Moore had four sacks last season. Guy had 5.5. They were unblock-able against Alabama, especially Moore who played like a first-round pick.
If Moore and Guy can play like that all season, the pass rush will be lethal. Brandt added three sacks last season, while Nichols and Marshall bring tons of potential.
Sherrone Moore said the defensive line (EDGEs included) went "10-deep," but Marshall should find his way onto the field at some point, even as a true freshman.
LB: Jaishawn Barham and Ernest Hausmann; Backups: Jimmy Rolder, Cole Sullivan
Barham is another dude who could be playing in the NFL this season. There is talk that he'll be used more as an EDGE than last season, but I have a feeling the usage will be similar.
Barham is an impressive athlete who is truly a three-down linebacker. Ernest Hausmann is, too. They combined for 155 tackles last season, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks and one interception.
They should be even more productive next season. There is also more depth. Cole Sullivan is a star in the making. He got his feet wet last season playing in 12 games. In 2025, Sullivan will be on the field more, even though it won't be easy to take Barham or Hausmann off.
Barham playing some at EDGE will open up snaps. Yet, Rolder and Sullivan are also good enough to play without a ton of drop-off.
Cornerbacks: Jyaire Hill and Zeke Berry: Backups: Caleb Anderson, Jo'Ziah Edmond, Shamari Earls, and Tevin Metcalf
Cornerback depth might be the one concern on defense for Michigan. The front seven is loaded and the pass rush should be outstanding. If you can stop the run and pressure the quarterback, that's a big chunk of the battle right there.
However, Jyaire Hill has been talked about as a possible first-round pick. He can be the alpha in the room. Zeke Berry moved to cornerback last season and proved to be a pleasant surprise.
Tevin Metcalf has flashed. Shamari Earls is another who is expected to contribute early on defense, just like Will Johnson did, and he's a name to keep on the radar as the season goes along.
Depth is a concern, however, there is talent behind the starters, it just needs to show itself.
Safeties: Rod Moore and Brandyn Hillman; Nickel: TJ Metcalf; Backups: Jaden Mangham and Mason Curtis
Rod Moore's status for the start of the season is still in question but things seem to be trending in the right direction. Jaden Mangham, a former starter for Michigan State could get some snaps.
However, Moore and Brandyn Hillman feel like sure-fire starters if healthy. Hillman is going to make a name for himself as an enforcer this season. Moore is the eraser deep and TJ Metcalf, who had three interceptions last season for Arkansas, will be solid in the nickel role. He can cover and tackle.
Metcalf might be the most underrated transfer portal addition. He had seven pass breakups last season as a sophomore, and he's perfect for the slot corner role.
Mason Curtis is another guy who could be a factor at safety, especially if Moore misses some action early in the season.
Specialists: Dominic Zvada (K), Luke Bauer (P), Trent Middleton (LS), Semaj Morgan (PR), Anthony Simpson (KR)
Morgan has had some good moments and some not-so-good moments as a return man, but there isn't another clear option for punt returns. Simpson had 18 kickoff returns for UMass back in 2023, averaging just over 19 yards per return.
There are some questions there. But Dominic Zvada will be a weapon, and Bauer should shore up the punting. He started for Missouri last season, notching 13 punts inside the 20 and seven punts that went over 50 yards.