3 players on Michigan’s offense with the most to prove in 2025

This offseason has given Michigan fans hope that the offense will get back on track in 2025, but a handful of players will need to elevate their performance to match the lofty expectations. Here are three offensive players with the most to prove this year:

Over the course of the offseason, there’s been a growing sense of excitement that the Michigan Wolverines offense will be able to get back on track on 2025. The combination of Chip Lindsey’s hire, Bryce Underwood’s commitment, and a few transfer portal additions like Donaven McCulley and Justice Haynes has offered inspiration that things will be better than they were in 2024.

Admittedly, there’s really nowhere to go but up from the 2024 team’s offensive performance. But to be able to improve, a handful of players on Michigan’s offense are going to need to match the lofty expectations that have been set for them, while others might have to take a step forward after failing to do so last year. Today, we’ll be taking a look at three players that have the most to prove in 2025.

QB Bryce Underwood

We can start with the obvious one. It’s hard to think of a recruit that has come to Michigan with more hype than five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood. J.J. McCarthy, Rashan Gary, Donovan Peoples-Jones, take your pick; none of them came to Ann Arbor expected to do so much so quickly.

As we get closer to the 2025 season, it’s appearing more and more likely that Underwood will get control of the offense as QB1, a rare feat for a true freshman — even one of Underwood’s pedigree. However, the circumstances dictate that this might be the right choice considering his primary competition for the job, Mikey Keene, has spent much of the offseason hampered by an undisclosed injury and there aren’t any more talented options on the roster.

The hype around Underwood’s talent is justified. He’s a true dual-threat with all the arm talent in the world and has had enormous success at the high school level. Coming into college, many fans are looking to him to lead Michigan back into the promised land that it enjoyed from 2021 to 2023. Underwood will be just a freshman in 2025, though, so it might be too early to expect Heisman-worthy numbers and a trip to the National Championship Game. However, as soon as Week 1, we’ll get to see if he’s been worth getting excited over as he shows flashes of the potential to be great.

WR Semaj Morgan

The 2023 season didn’t offer much room for young players to step up, as Michigan’s offense was loaded with veterans that led the way. However, then-true freshman Semaj Morgan did see the field a decent amount and seemed to make something happen every time he touched the ball.

As a freshman, Morgan was mostly a gadget guy, but showed a real ability to run after the catch and make plays in traffic. On the year, he had 204 yards and two touchdowns receiving, while also adding 67 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. His 2024 season fell flat though, as he failed to establish himself in Kirk Campbell’s system to the tune of just 139 receiving yards.

Now, with Chip Lindsey calling the shots and McCulley in tow to take the pressure off of him, Morgan could be a solid post-hype option in Michigan’s offense. This year, it would make more sense for him to not only have those gadget plays drawn up for him, but also to see him utilized more in the slot than he was a year ago, as it aligns more with his size and skillset. However, if Morgan fails to take a step forward for the second consecutive year, the Wolverines have plenty of other receivers like Anthony Simpson, Channing Goodwin, and Andrew Marsh that would be awaiting the opportunity to pass him on the depth chart.

The whole offensive line

Cheating? Yes. Warranted? Also yes.

Michigan’s offensive line had set such a high standard over the last handful of seasons, but fell tremendously short of that in 2024. While the group was replacing all five of its starters from the previous year, it took much too long to meld together and never felt like a strength last season as it struggled both to open holes for the running game and protect the quarterbacks.

Heading into this season, there’s a bit more optimism as the group did finish last year on a high note with its games against bigger opponents like Ohio State and Alabama. Three starters (Greg Crippen, Evan Link, and Giovanni El-Hadi) are back after getting their first extended runs of playing time. Furthermore, talented young players like sophomore Andrew Sprague — and perhaps freshman Andrew Babalola — will be waiting to showcase their ability.

If Michigan is going to get back on track offensively, it’s going to start with the offensive line getting back on track itself. This will be the ultimate “prove it” year both for Grant Newsome and his players as they both hope to return to the high standard that had previously been set. Even if the group isn’t able to return to it’s Joe Moore Award ways, being just above average would go a long way in inspiring confidence for the team.