Latest news with #DonavenMcCulley
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Michigan football fans will like transfer's outlook on 2025 WR room
The post Michigan football fans will like transfer's outlook on 2025 WR room appeared first on ClutchPoints. One of the biggest question marks surrounding the 2025 Michigan football team is the wide receiver room. The Wolverines were abysmal offensively last season, and the inability to create explosive plays through the air was why. It's hard to tell how much of the fault falls on the WRs as Michigan was far from having acceptable quarterback play, but that is why it's a big question mark heading into the season. The Michigan football team did make a big addition to the WR room this offseason by bringing in Indiana transfer Donaven McCulley. McCulley spent four seasons with the Hoosiers and had some successful years, and he is expected to be a major weapon this year for the Wolverines. He has been impressed with the WR room so far. 'I like that we have so many guys that that can go in there and make a play like, we've been rotating so much in practice because we have so many guys in the room,' McCulley said in an interview with MGoBlue TV. 'It's a lot of guys that go out there and just make a play, like I said, bring energy.' Michigan also hired a new offensive coordinator this offseason. Chip Lindsey is now leading the offense, and he is known for having some explosive units. McCulley likes his style. 'He likes to throw the ball, and he's just a down to earth guy, like he's gonna keep it real with you,' he said. The additions of Chip Lindsey and Donaven McCulley should pay dividends for the Michigan football team this season. Last year's offensive product wasn't close to meeting the standard, and that needs to change this season. The Wolverines will have a new quarterback as freshman Bryce Underwood should win the job, and he is expected to be a star. All of these changes should go a long way. Related: Michigan football receives prediction to land elite 2027 QB Related: Michigan football RB sends warning to CFB about 'explosive' offense
Indianapolis Star
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Lawrence North grad gives Michigan 'big-play ability' like NFL receiver after transferring from IU
LAS VEGAS — Former Indiana football receiver Donaven McCulley's days of playing quarterback are long behind him. Still, a handful of his new teammates at Michigan haven't let him forget about his disappointing performance under center on a visit to Ann Arbor as a freshman in 2021. McCulley, a Lawrence North grad, entered the starting lineup with IU struggling to replace an injured Michael Penix Jr. He was 10 of 24 for 88 yards and rushed for 37 yards in the 29-7 loss at Michigan Stadium. "He's actually my locker neighbor," Michigan tight end Max Bredeson said at Big Ten media days. "He's a fun guy and intense in his own way. He just wants to play football so bad. Everyone loves D-Mac, but we do kind of poke at him about playing quarterback." McCulley moved to receiver a few months after losing to Michigan, a position change that could end up paying dividends for the Wolverines this season. "The eye test is a real thing," Bredeson said of the 6-foot-5, 200-pounder. "He passes that." McCulley transferred to Michigan as a fifth-year senior after playing only four games for the Hoosiers last fall. Injuries slowed him down during fall camp ahead of the 2024 season, and he wasn't able to crack the two-deep for IU's new coaching staff. His touchdown in a 42-28 win over Maryland was his final catch as a Hoosier. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti had high hopes for McCulley, having watched film of his breakout 2023 season. He caught 48 passes for 644 yards and six touchdowns as one of the lone bright spots on a punchless offense. McCulley remains one of the highest-rated signees in program history, but will now look to take his game to the next level for a rival Big Ten program. "Big, tall, fast, strong, explosive, big play-ability," Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said. "He gives you what we kind of got with Nico (Collins) in that 2020 year when we thought he was going to take off even more, and that's what he reminds you of." 'Best in Indiana go to Indiana.' Top-30 national recruit has options. Many. But IU is in mix Collins opted out that season in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but was still drafted in the third round by the Houston Texans. The 6-4 receiver averaged 17.8 yards per catch over three seasons with the Wolverines and caught 13 touchdown passes. "We got to see what he's going to do, but this spring he flashed more often than not as a big-play receiver," Moore said. "We are excited to see what he does."
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN flags Michigan football wide receivers as key concern for 2025 despite new additions
Michigan football finished the 2024 season about as good as any team (other than Ohio State, the eventual national champion) could, having beaten that same Ohio State team as well as Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. But it was the defense and somewhat timely offensive production that carried those days -- not the offense as a whole. The Wolverines are hoping that the offense is a bit more consistent in 2025, with new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey leading the charge and with No. 1 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class, quarterback Bryce Underwood, likely to start as a true freshman. While the quarterback position was likely the biggest culprit in terms of the team's struggles a year ago, that's not the area of the offense that ESPN thinks could trip Michigan football up this season. It's the quarterback's targets. On Wednesday, ESPN revealed the weaknesses for each of the contending preseason teams in college football and surmises that wideout might be a bit of a question mark for the maize and blue. Area of concern: Wide receiver The Wolverines ranked 129th last season with just 1,678 passing yards. Quarterback play was part of the issue, as Michigan cycled through three quarterbacks (Davis Warren, Jack Tuttle and Alex Orji) in its first season after losing national champion JJ McCarthy. But Michigan's receivers collectively didn't make enough plays, as no wideout caught more than 27 passes or totaled more than 248 yards. The onus will be even greater on Michigan's receivers with tight end Colston Loveland -- the Wolverines' only reliable target last year -- now playing for the Chicago Bears. Instant impact from transfers Anthony Simpson (UMass) and Donaven McCulley (Indiana), combined with internal improvement from the likes of Fredrick Moore and Semaj Morgan, will be paramount if Michigan is going to threaten opposing defensive backfields in 2025 Appearing on In the Trenches in May, assistant wide receivers coach Soup Campbell noted that there's a lot of talent in the wide receiver room, even if it hasn't quite yet been maximized. "Talented group," Campbell said. "I think this group is a bunch of underachievers who the sky's gonna be the limit for them, and see how the season goes. And I think we have the talent to make some things happen." And wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy thinks big things are coming for the aforementioned Indiana transfer, Donaven McCulley, who has all of the requisites to be the next great Michigan football receiver. "He's the oldest guy in the room, has the most experience," Bellamy said in spring ball. "He's played over 1,000 snaps in his college career. So, quite naturally, you would think he would be the next guy on the room and on the wall. And that's what he's ascending to. "He's on track. I'll tell you what, he's on track to do that. He's got to keep attacking it and challenging himself every day, which, like I say, he's been a great addition thus far." Though the two transfers and Morgan and Moore are mentioned by ESPN, the Wolverines are also hoping to get some solid production from players such as true freshmen Jamar Browder and Andrew Marsh, as well as sophomore Channing Goodwin (who had the most targets in the spring game), and an emerging tight ends and fullback unit.
USA Today
19-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
CBS Sports tabs Michigan football WR Donaven McCulley as most important incoming transfer
CBS Sports tabs Michigan football WR Donaven McCulley as most important incoming transfer Michigan football brought in several impactful transfers this offseason. From quarterback Mikey Keene to defensive tackles Damon Payne and Tré Williams to linebacker Troy Bowles to running back Justice Haynes, there are several likely key contributors to the 2025 team ready and raring to go. But if Michigan is to have a successful season, it likely means one stood out above the pack. The Wolverines are counting on the defense continuing to dominate but retooled the offense in hopes that the passing game will be revamped. At the top, Sherrone Moore fired offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell and replaced him with Chip Lindsey — who had successful stints at Auburn, UCF, and North Carolina — while also making a splash landing five-star QB Bryce Underwood. But even if the offensive scheme and quarterback are better, the maize and blue passing attack will only be as good as their pass catchers. Thus, when CBS Sports put together a list of the most impactful transfers that College Football Playoff contenders brought in, it wasn't Haynes — the former Alabama tailback — who earned top marks for the Wolverines, it was former Indiana wide receiver Donaven McCulley. 16. Michigan Donaven McCulley, WR, Indiana No Michigan wide receiver hit the 250-yard barrier last season. Only one (Tyler Morris) even had 150 yards receiving. The Wolverines must get better at receiver, especially when you consider tight end Colston Loveland (56 catches, 582 yards, 5 TDs) is off to the NFL. That's what makes McCulley so important. McCulley was one of the best pass catchers in the Big Ten two years ago, reeling in 48 passes for 644 yards and six touchdowns. But he only played two games for Indiana last year before opting to sit out and transfer. There's a big question mark around whether McCulley can recapture his 2023 form. If he can, the 6-5, 203-pounder is exactly the type of go-to target Michigan lacked in 2024. If not ... Michigan will have to hope anyone can step up for an unproven quarterback room. McCulley will pair with fellow incoming transfer Anthony Simpson from UMass, as well as returning wideouts Semaj Morgan, Fredrick Moore, Kendrick Bell, Channing Goodwin, Peyton O'Leary, I'Marion Stewart, and a trio of freshmen in Jamar Browder, Andrew Marsh, and Jacob Washington. McCulley has earned rave reviews all offseason, having arrived in winter and participated in spring ball. If he can be even in the ballpark of the expectations heaped upon him, mig has a chance to right the ship after an 8-5 season a year ago.
USA Today
14-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Why Donaven McCulley switched from quarterback to Michigan football wide receiver
Why Donaven McCulley switched from quarterback to Michigan football wide receiver Michigan football has a new No. 1 receiver, both literally and figuratively. This offseason, the Wolverines brought in former Indiana quarterback and wideout Donaven McCulley, who made the switch to receiver full time two years ago while still in Bloomington. Now that he's in Ann Arbor, the 6-foot-5 pass catcher isn't just expected to be the top target for the maize and blue offense, but he also switched from wearing No. 13 to No. 1 after the spring game. But usually, players yearn to be the man under center, with the ball in their hands every play. However, for McCulley, it made sense for him to make that switch to receiver in 2023, and he hasn't looked back. "I grew up playing quarterback, and that was just how I was raised wanting to be the quarterback," McCulley told Jon Jansen on the In the Trenches Podcast. "But as I got older, I started to grow a little more, get taller, and stuff. And I just noticed I had like really good hands and that was just something that I really wanted to do, play receiver." Though McCulley isn't looking back in terms of wanting to throw darts around The Big House (he already did that as the IU starting QB in 2021), he is grateful that he had the opportunity. Not just because that was part of his childhood dream, but also because it helps him as a receiver. He explained that knowing what the quarterback wants to do, how he reads the wide receiver routes, ball placement, and more, that it's helped him become better once he made the switch to pass catcher. "It helped me a lot like with understanding where the quarterback wants me to be," McCulley said. "Coming to college, I feel like I didn't really get to experience that next level of the quarterback position because I switched so early. But just playing it like really my whole life, I just kind of understand like how the quarterback is going to throw this football or where he's going to be looking like when he scrambles out or something like that. And I think that just kind of helps build chemistry." Fans will get an opportunity to see more of McCulley than they did in the spring game (where he had one catch on one target) come August 30 when the Wolverines host New Mexico for the season opener.
