Michigan football is about halfway through spring ball with eyes on the culmination in the April 19 spring game at The Big House. And we’re starting to get some idea of what the team looks like as of current. Though things will certainly shift between now and fall, especially with more potential transfers coming to Ann Arbor, as well as the rest of the freshman class arriving, for now, the depth chart is starting to fill in some holes.
Given the multiple media availabilities that we’ve had over the course of the past three weeks, we know more about who is standing out, who is starting to surge for new roles in 2025, and who is somewhat on the backburner. Not taking into account injuries or transfers who have yet to arrive, here is our projection for the season opener on Aug. 30 if the depth chart were to be set today.
Quarterback
Starter: Bryce Underwood
Backup: Jadyn Davis (or) Mikey Keene
With Mikey Keene reportedly injured and not practicing, that’s essentially given freshman phenom Bryce Underwood the go-ahead to be the day one starter. Previously, we had anticipated that he would earn the role sometime midseason, but as of current, given that he’s getting the bulk of the reps with the ones, we’re projecting the former five-star to start against New Mexico.
Jadyn Davis has made a move and is now, at the very least, a viable option at quarterback, whereas he only got one snap in his freshman campaign a year ago.
Running back
Starter: Justice Haynes (or) Jordan Marshall
Backup: Benjamin Hall
It should be no surprise that Haynes and Marshall will share the starting duties. The question is who comes in behind them? For now, we’re sticking with Hall as he enters his third year, though Micah Ka’apana could have a say.
Fullback
Starter: Max Bredeson
Backup: Jalen Hoffman
This position is essentially set, with the only question coming with Eli Owens arriving as a midyear enrollee. Could the freshman supplant Hoffman? It seems unlikely but it is possible.
Offensive line
Starters: LT Evan Link, LG Giovanni El-Hadi, C Greg Crippen, RG Nathan Efobi, RT Andrew Sprague
Backups: LT Andrew Babalola, LG Lawrence Hattar, C Jake Guarnera, RG Luke Hamilton, RT Brady Norton
It appears as if much of the offensive line is set, and while there will be some questions about a couple of positions — especially with Hattar still having not made it to campus, the starting five is pretty close to being solidified. For now, at least.
It’s certainly subject to change and with Brady Norton emerging, he could play inside or outside. Hattar will challenge El-Hadi and Efobi, but the tackles and center are almost certainly what we’ll see against New Mexico.
Tight end
Starters: Hogan Hansen, Marlin Klein
Backups: Zack Marshall, Brady Prieskorn
The question here lies more with the backups as Marlin Klein is an entrenched starter and Hansen (who saw ample time in his first year) has a lot of similarities to Colston Loveland. We’re going with Prieskorn over Deakon Tonielli, as we’ve not heard much about the third-year player and former four-star.
Wide receivers
Starters: Donaven McCulley, Anthony Simpson, Fred Moore
Backups: Jamar Browder, Semaj Morgan, Peyton O’Leary, Andrew Marsh
This is the position most likely to see some shakeups between now and the season opener. Simpson hasn’t arrived on campus yet but is the most prolific wideout Michigan has on the roster, followed closely by McCulley. The Wolverines will likely add some depth and perhaps a starter or two via the transfer portal when the spring window opens.
Edge rusher
Starters: TJ Guy, Derrick Moore
Backups: Cameron Brandt, Dom Nichols
The starters and backups are entrenched. The question will be if some younger players like Devon Baxter, Lugard Edokpayi, or true freshman Nate Marshall can make a move.
Defensive tackle
Starters: Rayshaun Benny, Trey Pierce
Backups: Tré Williams, Damon Payne, Enow Etta, Ike Iwunnah
We’re throwing darts at the starting pairing, but as Lou Esposito said on Monday, the Wolverines essentially have three sets of starters in the defensive interior. We’ll certainly see a bunch of different combinations throughout the season, but for now, we’re going with who started in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Linebacker
Starters: Ernest Hausmann, Jaishawn Barham
Backups: Jimmy Rolder, Jaydon Hood, Cole Sullivan, Troy Bowles
We went deeper on this one, and Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng could also enter the mix. But the two starters are entrenched, and though Barham has been mentioned as seeing more time rushing the edge, he’ll likely do that from the linebacker position rather than switching positions outright.
Safety
Starters: Rod Moore, Brandyn Hillman
Backups: Mason Curtis, Jaden Mangham
Moore hasn’t practiced this spring, but Sherrone Moore is confident that his star safety will be ready to go by fall. Hillman stood out in the bowl game and appears poised to start next to him. Curtis was in heavy rotation in the latter half of last season, while Mangham, the MSU transfer, hasn’t seen time yet, but started for the Spartans.
Nickel
Starter: TJ Metcalf
Backup: Ja’Den McBurrows
Metcalf, the Arkansas transfer, stood out last year before transferring to the Wolverines. McBurrows had the backup role, but has struggled to stay healthy. Zeke Berry said six or so players have repped time at the position, but this is what we’re going with for now.
Cornerback
Starters: Zeke Berry, Jyaire Hill
Backups: Jo’Ziah Edmond, Shamari Earls
The starters are essentially entrenched and the backups may be as well. Hill needs to be more consistent as he showed a mix of flashes of greatness and boneheaded mistakes a year ago. Edmond started seeing time before it dwindled and Earls, despite being a freshman, has a lot to like and could follow Will Johnson’s trajectory to seeing early playing time.
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