Five Michigan freshmen who can make a major sophomore leap in 2025

The ReliaQuest Bowl was a coming-out party for several Michigan Wolverines, particularly some of the freshmen. With a full season under their belts and spring ball on the horizon, these five Michigan freshmen are ready to make a major sophomore leap in 2025:

The 2024 Michigan recruiting class will always be unique because it had both former head coach Jim Harbaugh’s fingerprints on it while current head coach Sherrone Moore finished the job, retaining his guys despite much of the coaching staff departing after the 2023 National Championship.

Because of the turnover, the 2024 season started with mainly upperclassmen getting the starts, but slowly, as the team moved through its schedule, the talented freshmen started to see their minutes tick up; and by the Relaiquest Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide , many of the freshmen were starting.

With a full season under their belts, these five freshmen are ready to make a major leap as sophomores in 2025.

RB Jordan Marshall: Becoming the lead back

It’s already been said, but Marshall has the skills to become a superstar in Ann Arbor. He dealt with some injuries in 2024 that kept him off the field for 75 percent of Michigan’s games, resulting in just eight carries during the regular season.

However, when starters Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings sat out of the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama, Marshall took advantage of the opportunity. He ran for 100 yards on 23 attempts in the win. It was a small sample size, but his ability to break tackles, create space in the open field and turn on the jets put a lot of people on notice.

With Edwards and Mullings off to the NFL, Marshall has the chance to earn to the starting job in 2025. He will have to compete with Alabama transfer Justice Haynes , but as it stands, Marshall is in the driver’s seat to take a bulk of the carries next season.

OT Andrew Sprague: Earning the starting RT job

Much like Marshall, Sprague had to wait until the final game of the season to show the world what he brings to the table. At 6-foot-8 and 305 pounds, he showed his size and strength in his first start against the Crimson Tide. He logged 67 snaps and earned a 63.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF), the highest on the day among Michigan’s offensive linemen. His 63.2 run blocking grade also led the team.

After starting at right tackle to finish the year, Sprague looks to be the front-runner at that position heading into fall camp with Evan Link finishing the year on the left side. The potential is definitely there for Sprague to take another big jump.

TE Hogan Hansen: Taking over Colston Loveland’s role

Michigan has shown it loves to play with two running backs and two tight ends, and it may have found its next star to replace Colston Loveland. In the third game of the season, Hansen scored a touchdown on his first career reception. A few weeks later at Illinois, he brought in four catches for 50 yards .

Marlin Klein is expected to take on the bulk of the starter duties at the tight end position, but it is hard to overlook what Hansen did with his opportunities in 2024. Much like how Michigan used AJ Barner and Loveland in 2023, Klein may move into a Barner-type role in 2025 as Hansen takes the vertical threat responsibilities that Loveland did so well.

DB Mason Curtis: Jumping up the depth chart

There were a lot of changes in the secondary throughout the 2024 season, especially late in the year. One of the beneficiaries of all the movement was Curtis. He only had eight tackles as a freshman, but he did record an interception against Northwestern.

At 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, Curtis is a rangy and athletic defensive back who should continue to get better. He will have to compete with a crowded room that includes Rod Moore, Brandyn Hillman, Jaden Mangham and Arkansas transfer TJ Metcalf, but his increased snaps at the end of 2024 could be a sign of things to come.

Edge Dominic Nichols: The next great edge

It’s not easy to sit behind the likes of Josaiah Stewart, Derrick Moore, TJ Guy, Cam Brandt and others and still put enough on tape to make a name for yourself as a true freshman. Nichols appeared in five games as a first-year player, including four on the defensive line. He made three tackles and forced this fumble against Alabama.

At 6-foot-5 and 261 pounds, Nichols will only get bigger and stronger. He already possesses pure pass rush moves and has the ability to force fumbles, which only raises his potential. With three of Michigan’s four starting defensive linemen from last year off to the NFL Draft, rotational snaps up for grabs, and Nichols has put himself in a good position to do so.