Michigan's 2025 position groups, led by Underwood, show stock upticks at QB, RB, WR, LB

USA Today

13 hours ago

There aren't many who think that the Wolverines will be in a prime position to get to the College Football Playoff in 2025, for myriad reasons. Despite having the easiest schedule in the Big Ten in terms of opponent winning percentage last year, many say that the schedule is too hard. Despite having a potential generational quarterback in Bryce Underwood, who is often compared to former Clemson star Trevor Lawrence, the talk is of him being a true freshman. They speak of the losses (Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Will Johnson, Josaiah Stewart, Kalel Mullings, and Donovan Edwards), without analyzing the roster for what it is.
With that in mind, we're taking a look at each position group and deciding whether it's better at this juncture in fall camp compared to any time last year, worse, or even. Here are our positional stock rankings.
Quarterback - stock up
The Wolverines' quarterback room wasn't exactly lighting things up last year. In terms of yards per attempt, Michigan was the worst in the nation. Thus -- there's nowhere to go but up.
With the combination of a generational passer (even if he is a true freshman) and a new offensive coordinator in Chip Lindsey, this room should be world's better than it was a year ago. However, it doesn't appear that the expected backup, Mikey Keene, is full strength in fall camp, so if something happens to Underwood, it could be either journeyman Jake Garcia or redshirt freshman Jadyn Davis -- both of whom could be serviceable, but also a notable downgrade on Underwood.
Still, Underwood doesn't need to be a hero if he starts. He just has to be efficient -- a la Cade McNamara in 2021. That, really, isn't too much to ask.
Offensive line - even
This might not be encouraging news, and though there are indications that the offensive line should be better, it's a difficult proposition to think it will return to Joe Moore Award contention. Evan Link at left tackle, at his best, is comparable to Myles Hinton last year. Giovanni El-Hadi had a bad year last year but is reportedly better. It took some time for Greg Crippen to come along at center. Andrew Sprague had one (albeit great) game at right tackle. And right guard is still a mystery.
All indications are that this unit is better, but for now, we'll call it even.
Running back - stock up
No offense to Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards, who had the offense on their shoulders last year, but the tandem of Jordan Marshall and Justice Haynes should be better. Marshall only really has one game under his belt, but it was a heckuva game against Alabama. Haynes, a former Alabama player, is ready for a breakout. Who starts doesn't really matter, as they both appear to have skills that crosses bowling-ball intensity and breakout speed.
There's question about who might be the third back, but the starting tandem looks more like they can create their own space -- sorely needed after last year's moderate run game.
Tight end - stock down
This is no offense to the current group, but replacing Colston Loveland is no easy feat. Marlin Klein has reportedly improved greatly this offseason, but we'll need to see it. Hogan Hansen -- who has some Loveland-style traits -- has had some injury concerns this offseason. Max Bredeson, the fullback, returns, however, and he could be more heavily utilized in Chip Lindsey's offense. Jalen Hoffman showed out in the spring game, too.
No matter what, this group was going to be stock down without a talent like Loveland in the room. But, it still should be a productive unity.
Wide receivers - stock up
Outside of a few new names, the cast of characters is mostly the same as last year. But, as it so happens, the names added should improve the productivity of this unitl greatly.
Donaven McCulley, who transferred in from IU, is No. 1 -- figuratively and literally -- while Anthony Simpson might be unheralded after coming from UMass. Freshmen Andrew Marsh and Jamar Browder could see early playing time and be productive players. At the same time, reports are that Semaj Morgan and Fred Moore have improved in the offseason.
Channing Goodwin, Peyton O'Leary, and Kendrick Bell could also see plenty of playing time and improve on their standing from a year ago.
Edge Rusher - even
Being even here is actually good news. Derrick Moore returns and pairs now with a full-time TJ Guy in the starting role, while Cam Brandt (named a third starter) and Dom Nichols should figure in quite often. Given that the pass rush was still a strength last year, being even is welcome, not a slight.
We saw how the 'backup' line dominated a very good Alabama offensive line, so if it can transfer over to the new year, then Michigan should be in good shape.
Defensive tackle - even
Same caveat as above, and it seems unreal given that there's no Mason Graham or Kenneth Grant. But the tradeoff of not having those two top 13 picks in the lineup is that the room is deeper, and should thus keep the legs fresher than what that duo had a year ago.
There are six nominal starters at this point -- Rayshaun Benny, Tré Williams, Damon Payne, Trey Pierce, Ike Iwunnah, and Enow Etta. Each is fearsome in their own right. And the waves of rotation should terrorize opposing offenses.
Linebacker - stock up
It's the same starting duo from last year, but Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham started slow and finished strong. Add in an improved Jimmy Rolder and an emerging Cole Sullivan, and suddenly, this is an increasingly deep room. And transfer Troy Bowles and (potentially healthy) Jaydon Hood round out a rotation that could truly dominate the middle of the defense.
Safety - even
This could also be stock up, but we're withholding that until it's clear that Rod Moore is returning close to his old form -- and there are some indications that that might not be the case. Even so, with Brandyn Hillman, Mason Curtis, the Metcalf brothers, Jaden Mangham, and Jacob Oden, this group is deep and potentially formidable.
Cornerback - stock up
The reason why this group is stock up is because it played for more than half a year without Will Johnson, and we now know what the Wolverines will be getting in Zeke Berry and Jyaire Hill. Both should be solid, but it's not clear if they'll be spectacular. But they should be helped out by the other nine players on defense, even if they're not of Johnson's caliber. The question, more so, is depth, as Jo'Ziah Edmond and freshman Shamari Earls are the likely backups. There isn't as much going on in terms of rotation, but given that the group made do without Will Johnson -- and did well late in the year last year -- indicates that this is a secondary on the rise.
Special teams - even
Dominic Zvada returns as the place kicker, Hudson Hollenbeck (who kicked in the ReliaQuest Bowl) also returns, and longsnapper Greg Tarr reprises his role after playing half the year (admirably) in 2022. The Wolverines should be fine with a bevy of options at returner, including Semaj Morgan.