Michigan football won't be adding any other players from the transfer portal during the winter. The Wolverines expressed interest in Rocco Spindler and Pat Coogan.
However, Indiana landed Coogan and Spindler eliminated Michigan football recently. The offensive line could use more reinforcements. The same could be said about wide receivers but that depends on who enters the portal this spring.
As the roster currently stands, here is the updated offensive depth chart for Michigan football:
QB: Mikey Keene and Bryce Underwood
Keene will probably start the first game of the season. I have a feeling that Underwood will be starting soon after. Underwood was recently compared to Cam Newton and another scouting report comparison is Vince Young.
People know about his arm but they are underestimating what he can do with his legs. Underwood will at least have a package like J.J. McCarthy but it will probably be more expansive and he'll become the starter sooner in his career -- maybe even by game one.
RB1: Justice Haynes or Jordan Marshall; RB2: Benjamin Hall
Jordan Marshall rushed for 100 yards in the ReliaQuest Bowl and that was with Alex Orji playing quarterback for most of the game.
A former top-100 running back, Marshall is poised to take a leap next season. Justice Haynes, a transfer from Alabama, didn't get a ton of rushing attempts during his time at Alabama but the former five-star running back averaged 5.9 yards per attempt.
Benjamin Hall has flashed during his Michigan football career too.
WR1's: Donaven McCaulley, Anthony Simpson or Semaj Morgan (slot) and Fred Moore; WR2's: Peyton O'Leary, Amorion Walker, I'Marion Stewart, Channing Goodwin.
Fred Moore made a nice touchdown catch against Alabama. I've always thought highly of him and this will be his opportunity to earn some playing time. The Wolveriners need another threat on the outside.
As long as Donaven McCauley remains healthy, he has No. 1 potential. He had a stretch during the 2023 season where he averaged over 80 yards a game across five Big Ten games. Anthony Simpson, the UMass transfer, had multiple 100-yard games in 2023.
McCaulley and Simpson have each been productive when healthy. Neither played much in 2024 after early injuries before deciding to enter the portal. Both players are healthy. Morgan needs to have a bounce-back year and under Chip Lindsey, that seems more likely.
TE1: Marlin Klein; TE2: Hogan Hansen and Max Bredeson
Marlin Klein caught 13 passes for 108 yards last season and should be just fine as the starting tight end next season, although Hogan Hansen will push him, at least from a receiving perspective.
Hansen was super impressive in the last few games. With Keene or Underwood throwing the ball, he feels like a weapon. Klein can be one too.
Max Bredeson should get more passes thrown his way, especially after play-action fakes. Yet, his main role will be as a lead blocker and he's as good as it gets in college football when it comes to that.
O-line: Andrew Sprague, Lawrence Hattar, Greg Crippen, Giovanni El-Hadi, Evan Link: OL2: Blake Frazier, Nathan Efobi, Jake Guarnera, Andrew Babalola and Ty Haywood.
You'll notice a recruiting prediction thrown in the mix for Michigan football as it seems like the addition of top-40 offensive tackle Ty Haywood is imminent. I don't see him or Andrew Babalola starting next season but they will be great insurance policies.
Evan Link struggled at right tackle last season and I'd love to see him shift inside to guard, but that would depend on adding a tackle via the spring portal window or Blake Frazier or one of those freshmen being ready right away. I hope to see Andrew Sprague move to left tackle.
Then if Haywood or Frazier could oust Link from the right tackle job, he could bump inside to guard, where he could be much more effective.