Five of Michigan Football’s departing seniors we’ll miss the most

The youth movement will be underway in Ann Arbor in 2025, as several seniors have exhausted their eligibility. Here are the five seniors we might be missing the most when the season rolls around:

The Michigan Wolverines are set to lose some of its winningest players in the history of the program this offseason. Members of the 2021 recruiting class will depart with a 45-8 record, three conference titles and a national championship under their belts.

While some of these holes have presumably been filled already through the transfer portal, others will need to be filled by either incoming freshmen or underclassmen with limited experience. As such, we’ll take a look at which of Michigan’s departing seniors we think we might be missing the most when the 2025 season rolls around.

5. S Makari Paige

A fifth-year player, Makari Paige has been a staple in Michigan’s secondary for the last three seasons. In 2024, he served as a team captain and took on some extra responsibilities, playing in the nickel spot near the end of the year.

Although he was a bit more inconsistent than we’d been accustomed to, Paige was still one of the better players on Michigan’s defense, and there’s not much experience behind him on the depth chart. This could become especially magnified if Rod Moore doesn’t return.

What the back end of Michigan’s secondary might now be lacking in experience can be made up for in potential. While they remain green at the position, Mason Curtis and Brandyn Hillman figure to take on much bigger roles next season. Additionally, Michigan is bringing in three freshmen in Jordan Young, Kainoa Winston and Elijah Dotson. The potential and talent will still be there, but Paige’s leadership and experience are tough to replace.

4. RBs Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards

Between Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards, 313 carries and 1,537 rushing yards are on their way out the door. That’s plenty of production to replace, and when you factor in Michigan should once again be a run-heavy offense, it’s even tougher to see the two lead backs leave in the same offseason.

Mullings was a revelation in 2024, leading the way with 948 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was impressive enough that he almost single-handedly carried Michigan’s offense in key wins over USC and Ohio State . Edwards wasn’t as productive, but his experience and home run ability are still valuable.

Fortunately for next year, Michigan’s running back position is in good hands with Jordan Marshall and Alabama transfer Justice Haynes. Additionally, the hope of improved quarterback play might not mean needing to rely on the running game as heavily.

3. CB Aamir Hall

His impact might have only been felt for the second half of the season, but Aamir Hall’s absence could prove to be huge for Michigan next season. The Albany transfer was Michigan’s third outside corner on the depth chart until he was thrust into action in the wake of Will Johnson’s injury. Hall held his own, having his best game against Ohio State where he helped contain a talented receiver group and even recorded an interception to set up Michigan’s only touchdown of the game.

Corner is one of the most important positions in football, and it’s a group that’s in flux right now for Michigan. Jyaire Hill showed plenty of positive flashes in his first year as a starter, but he’ll need to be much more consistent next year. Meanwhile, Zeke Berry did an admirable job down the stretch, but it was in a limited sample size. Michigan has some talent to play with in incoming freshman Shamari Earls and sophomore Jo’Ziah Edmond, but the lack of experience could prove to be a difference maker, especially early in the season.

2. Edge Josaiah Stewart

Josaiah Stewart is arguably the biggest transfer portal addition Michigan has made in recent years. He was part of a by-committee group in 2023, but stepped up in a big way as Michigan’s best pass rusher in 2024 with 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Under Michigan’s tutelage, he went from a relative unknown to a future pick in the 2025 NFL Draft .

Stewart was one of the best defensive players for Michigan in 2024, but if there’s one school that’s proven to be able to recover from losing edge rushers, it’s Michigan. We’ve seen guys like Jaylen Harrell, David Ojabo, Aidan Hutchinson and Kwity Paye leave in recent years, with Michigan still able to produce at the position year after year. Michigan brings back a solid pair in Derrick Moore and T.J. Guy in 2025, but there’s limited depth behind them, which could prove costly.

1. OT Myles Hinton and OG Josh Priebe

Simply put, Michigan’s offensive line wasn’t good in 2024. It might seem a bit odd to have two members of one of Michigan’s weakest position groups at the top of this list, but without Hinton and Priebe in 2025, the outlook could be even more bleak. At the very least, Hinton and Priebe provided the veteran leadership and experience in 2024, and that’s important along any offensive line. They were able to help stabilize a group that looked lost at times and held their own together on the left side of the line.

In 2025, Michigan will be relying on many of the same contributors that struggled in 2024, as well as some younger players like Andrew Sprague, who started at right tackle in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Transfers Brady Norton and Lawrence Hattar offer an infusion of talent, but haven’t performed against FBS competition. Perhaps the attrition up front could be a good thing for Grant Newsome’s unit to turn the page this fall, but the relative lack of experience could limit the offense’s ceiling.