The spring game is today at the Big House, and there is plenty to be excited about for Michigan fans. Here are the three things we’ll be paying special attention to in our first glimpse of the 2025 team:
We’re only a few hours from the 2025 Michigan Wolverines taking the field for the first time publicly, as the spring game gets underway at noon. If you will be in attendance for the game, you’ll get a glimpse of things before most of the world, as the game will be aired on tape delay on Big Ten Network next Saturday, April 26.
For those of us that get to see the team in action today, here are the three things we’ll be watching for.
No. 1: The QBs
This one is pretty obvious, right? Every fan should be looking forward to seeing Bryce Underwood up close for the first time. He has been in the media a lot this offseason discussing his high expectations . One bad spring game performance likely won’t change those expectations, but a great performance could send the hype through the roof.
Meanwhile, Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene is sidelined due to an undisclosed injury, so Jadyn Davis will get all the other reps. Wide receiver coach Ron Bellamy recently said some good things about the second-year quarterback, so hopefully he can provide Underwood with some legitimate competition.
No. 2: The OL/running game vs the veteran DL
Big changes are underway for the run game and the defensive line. Expected starting running backs Jordan Marshall and Alabama transfer Justice Haynes provide a lot of hope for another great tandem in the backfield.
In order for the running backs to succeed, the offensive line must improve. I’m not so sure this group is as deep as the defensive line, but there are still some exciting players to watch. Particularly intriguing to me are transfer Brady Norton and true freshman Andrew Babalola. Seeing how far along they are will help determine what the starting five may look like in 2025 and beyond.
But even more intriguing is the defensive line. Position coach Lou Esposito recently said that he told six different guys on the interior they should be considered starters, so expect a heavy rotation in the middle of the defense. Add that to a squad of pass rushers with high expectations, and Michigan should have an excellent front with plenty of depth.
No. 3: The WR room
Every wide receiver position is up for grabs, and Michigan needs far better production than last year. That’s the main reason to pay close attention to this unit, because there is plenty of playing time and opportunity to go around.
Donaven McCulley is seemingly the only lock to start, so there are two starting spots up for grabs for guys like Fred Moore, Semaj Morgan, Peyton O’Leary, Kendrick Bell, Channing Goodwin, and true freshmen Andrew Marsh and Jamar Browder.
My biggest hope is Marsh and Browder wind up on the same team as Underwood in the spring game. Both have received praise from the coaching staff, and Underwood being able to build that connection with fellow true freshmen would be beneficial.
No matter what, every single one of the wideouts has an opportunity to see playing time depending on how they perform in this game and in fall camp.