The spring game is the perfect time to overreact as a college football fan. In a small sample size, let’s overreact to what we saw in Ann Arbor last weekend for the Michigan Wolverines:
Overreacting to the spring game is a tradition unlike any other. College football players practice all spring to improve, develop and show what they’re made of, only for fans to base their entire opinion of a player based on one glorified scrimmage.
We wouldn’t have it any other way.
Here are some of the most common overreactions we’ve heard since the spring game and why they may or may not be true.
Bryce Underwood isn’t ready to start immediately
Underwood was understandably the center of attention at the spring game. It’s safe to say the results were mixed. He had his fair share of freshman mistakes, such as taking multiple delay of game penalties and sacks. However, it’s important to remember not only is he a freshman, but he’s also an early enrollee — a 17-year-old that should be getting ready for his high school prom.
At his age, an entire summer of working with his new receiver group should work wonders on his timing and rhythm. On top of that, he wasn’t permitted to utilize his legs much during the spring game. He undoubtedly will be good for at least a handful of quarterback runs and scrambles come the fall.
Until we see more of Mikey Keene once he returns from his injury, Underwood is the leader in the clubhouse to start right away, and I have full confidence in him still despite some of the haters online.
Jalen Hoffman will push Max Bredeson for playing time at fullback
There seems to be a star of the spring game every year that vaults his notoriety among the fan base. This year, that was none other than Jalen Hoffman.
Hoffman is of the tight end/fullback ilk and is expected to be the Max Bredeson replacement in 2026. However, Hoffman showed his blocking ability and his receiving chops, as he routinely hauled in dump-offs and slants throughout the spring game. Bredeson hasn’t been much of a receiver in maize and blue, and that’s okay.
With all that said, I would be stunned if we see anyone other than Bredeson line up at fullback in 2025. He is the emotional leader of the team and is a punishing blocker. Hoffman gave us a brief glimpse at the future of the position, and the future is bright, but Bredeson is the here and now.
Max Bredeson getting the boys fired up 〽️ pic.twitter.com/Q2555oM7NN
— JD 〽️ (@MGoJDBlue) December 31, 2024
Safety will be a major weakness if Rod Moore’s injury keeps him off the field
Rod Moore’s return to Michigan for 2025 sparked joy among the Michigan faithful. However, the news regarding his injury hasn’t exactly been favorable. He was expected to be full go by now, but he remains sidelined and won’t practice until the summer. With injuries as serious as a torn ACL, you just never know.
Safety play during the spring game was a bit lacking, prompting some to question if this may be a serious hole in the Michigan defense this coming season. However, what the Wolverines lack in star power, they have in depth in the secondary.
TJ Metcalf, a transfer from Arkansas, was one of the standouts of the defense during the spring game. He was all over the place and seemingly has a nose for the ball, despite only being ingrained in the defensive scheme for a few weeks. Brandyn Hillman also appears to have taken the next step. Formerly just a big hitter, Hillman seems to have added a smart, controlled element to his game.
Michigan also has Mason Curtis, Jaden Mangham and Jacob Oden at its disposal. While the Wolverines would certainly love to have Moore on the field every Saturday, the sky isn’t falling if he’s unable to go.