4 Freshmen Who Could Start For Michigan Football This Season
The Michigan Wolverines signed a recruiting class for 2025 that ranks eighth overall in college football, sixth in composite rank and 35th in transfer rank according to 247Sports.com.
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The crown jewel of the 2025 class is Bryce Underwood, a five-star QB from Belleville, Michigan who looked promising in the Michigan spring game and could start in Week 1 against the New Mexico Lobos.
Michigan added another five-star at offensive line and numerous four-star prospects to go with several three-stars that coach Sherrone Moore and his staff identified as potential impact players at the university.
Michigan's opener is just over two months away as the dawn of summer nears.
The following are four freshmen from the 2025 class who could start at some point this season in the winged helmet for coach Moore's team.
Shamari Earls (R) defends a pass play during spring ball in Ann Arbor. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
4. Shamari Earls, CB-
Earls will join a loaded secondary in Ann Arbor this season and has already been penciled in as a possible backup behind Zeke Berry at the right cornerback position.
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Earls, from Chester, Virginia, is listed as a four-star prospect and has the size, physicality and ballhawking instincts the Wolverines covet at the position.
3. Andrew Babalola, OT-
Babalola is a five-star prospect and native of Overland Park, Kansas with the size to compete and fight along the offensive line in year one for coach Moore's team.
He has the mental makeup and physical maturity to start in game one and is a player to keep an eye on throughout the season whether in practice or in games.
2. Andrew Marsh, WR-
A native of Fulshear, Texas (Katy Jordan High School), Marsh has the speed and ball tracking skills to contribute in year one.
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Michigan has solid blockers and team players at the position behind needs two or more dependable big play makers to step up.
Marsh could be the guy to take the lid off of the top of the defense in year one on long pass plays, which would open things up for the rest of the offense.
1. Bryce Underwood, QB-
Mikey Keene's injury struggles and Jadyn Davis' accuracy questions have foisted Underwood into the top spot on Michigan's tentative QB depth chart.
He will likely focus on moving the chains and taking care of the football headed toward fall as he tended to float passes up for grabs too often during Michigan's 2025 Spring Game.
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Underwood has an effortless release and the ability to be accurate with his ball placement.
Now he needs to find the right mix of big plays and chain moving plays with both his feet and his legs to cement himself as the starter, and someone capable of leading his team to the Big Ten Championship Game and College Football Playoffs in year one.
Related: QB Mikey Keene's Health Status Gets Update From Michigan Football Insider
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
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