Much of the talk this offseason for Michigan football has centered on Bryce Underwood and the NCAA investigation into advanced scouting.
The latter just won't seem to go away. It is what it is, but it will be nice to move past the sign-stealing talk for once. Anyone with a brain, or who understands ball at all, knows Michigan football won the national title fair and square.
Just like the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes fair and square, 13-10 last November. At any rate, if the Wolverines want to contend for a playoff spot this season, and improve their win total, these five players, the most important returners from last season, will need to play key roles.
Derrick Moore, EDGE
Michigan football has sent a bevy of defensive lineman to the NFL draft in the first round. Derrick Moore could be the next one.
The junior has always made more of an impact than the stats show. However, we saw how impactful Moore can be against Alabama with two sacks, two tackles for loss, and four solo tackles.
Moore was unblockable that day. That's the kind of player the Michigan Wolverines need him to be down in and down out this season, but I have a hunch he'll be among the first 32 players to hear their name called in the 2026 NFL draft.
That's one bold prediction of mine for the 2025 Michigan football season.
Rayshaun Benny, DT
Michigan football lost three players on the defensive line in the first three rounds of the NFL draft. That's not easy to overcome, but the Wolverines have multiple NFL players up front, inlcuding Rayshaun Benny.
The former in-state recruit who flipped to the Wolverines from Michigan State, appeared in 11 games last season with 29 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 15 sackls and four QB hurries. He also had two pass breakups, including one down the stretch in the bowl win over Bama.
Benny is the kind of defensive tackle who always make a huge statistical impact, but Benny will be one of the best defensive tackles in the Big Ten, maybe all of college football.
Jyaire Hill, CB
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound cornerback is the answer to the question of who replaces Will Johnson for the Wolverines in 2025.
Hill started nine games last season and played in 12. He had one interception, nine pass breakups, 35 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and one sack.
Multiple mock drafts for the 2026 NFL draft have had Hill going in the first round next season. That will require a big leap. However, Hill has all the tools to be an elite corner.
If he takes that next step in 2025, the ceiling for the defense will be that much higher.
Jordan Marshall, RB
In terms of offensive playmakers returning, there aren't any that are more important than Jordan Marshall, the true sophmore running back who had a breakout 100-yard game against Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl win.
This running back room will be a two-headed monster, at least. Justice Haynes, one of the top-ranked running backs in the transfer portal, will also play a key role this season. I'd expect both backs to receive between 150-200 carries this season.
If there was going to be a bell cow, it feels like it will be Marshall. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound running back from Ohio, could be the next in a long line of Michigan football greats from the Buckeye state.
Andrew Sprague, RT
The 6-foot-8, 305-pound sophomore-to-be, started at right tackle against Alabama and held up well. The former four-star recruit, ranked in the top 150 overall, is expected to be the starter at right tackle for the forseeable future.
Many Michigan football fans are worried about the left side. Brady Norton, the Cal-Poly transfer, Evan Link, last year's starter at right tackle, and five-star freshman Andrew Babalola will all be competing for the job.
Yet, if Sprague can develop into an All-Big Ten caliber player, sooner rather than later, any help could be directed on the left side.
It would be ideal two have fixtures at both tackle spots. However, if Sprague can succeed without much help on the right side, that would be a huge development for the offensive line.