Michigan’s spring game is just over a week away and fans will get their first glimpse at the contributors for the 2025 team. Here are the players at each position we’re most excited to see in the spring game:
The Michigan Wolverines ’ spring game is just around the corner. On April 19, fans (at least those in attendance) will get their first look at the 2025 squad.
While several schools have opted not to have a spring game, Michigan is set to carry out its annual tradition to get a better glimpse of how its players will fare in a game setting. Furthermore, this season represents a good chance to see how the new offense will look under first-year coordinator Chip Lindsey.
There’s plenty of intrigue to go around and many players we can’t wait to see in action next Saturday. Today, we’ll go position by position and discuss the players we’re most excited to see in the spring game.
Quarterback – Bryce Underwood
It’s hard to find a player whose entrance to the program has generated more buzz than Bryce Underwood. The Belleville product was the No. 1 overall recruit in the country and looks poised to be Michigan’s QB1 of the future.
It remains to be seen if he’ll be the starter right away, but fans will undoubtedly be clamoring to see the skills that make Underwood so special.
Running Back – Micah Ka’apana
We’ll go off the beaten path a bit here. Jordan Marshall and Justice Haynes should be the 1A and 1B in the backfield this season, but is there a role for redshirt freshman Micah Ka’apana?
Ka’apana only had one carry last year, but he has plenty of explosiveness and speed to burn. He could be a nice change of pace option, receiving threat, or even a kick returner. Regardless, it’ll be interesting to see how Michigan chooses to incorporate him.
Wide Receiver – Semaj Morgan
Semaj Morgan didn’t really build on his freshman season as a sophomore. Much of that was due to his inappropriate usage and the deficiencies of the passing game as a whole. Now, with a revamped quarterback room and hopefully some better play designs from Lindsey, Morgan is set up to be a bigger contributor in 2025.
In the spring game, we’ll look to see where Morgan lines up and how he’s incorporated into the offense. Indiana transfer Donaven McCulley will also be a player we’re keeping an eye on.
Tight End – Hogan Hansen
Colston Loveland is headed to the NFL, meaning there are some pretty big shoes to fill at tight end this fall. Sophomore Hogan Hansen will look to be the next in a long line of great Michigan tight ends.
Hansen didn’t produce much last season with just seven receptions for 78 yards, but there will be plenty of snaps and targets to go around. Him and Marlin Klein could both be the benefactors of improved quarterback play and Lindsey’s new offense.
Offensive Line – Brady Norton
Brady Norton was the biggest name Michigan added on the offensive line through the transfer portal. He impressed last season in the FCS ranks at Cal Poly and is looking to make the jump to the next level of college football. With three years of eligibility left, he could be a fixture on Michigan’s offensive line for years to come.
In his first spring game, we’ll look to see where Norton is used up front. Listed at just 275 pounds, Norton played mostly tackle last season and could stick at tackle in Ann Arbor. He has performed well this spring , but it’ll be interesting to see how he fares in a game setting.
Defensive Line – Dominic Nichols
Michigan’s defensive front faced some attrition this offseason both on the edge and the interior. The Wolverines have their starters at edge set with Derrick Moore and T.J. Guy, but Dominic Nichols will look to push for more snaps as a second-year player.
Nichols played sparingly as a freshman, but now listed at 261 pounds, he could be more of an every-down option for Michigan’s defense. We’ll look to see how many snaps he gets and if he’s able to showcase strides in both the run and pass games.
Linebacker – Jaishawn Barham
There was some buzz early this offseason Jaishawn Barham could be moving from off-ball linebacker to the edge. Things seem to have cooled a bit on that front, but it will still be interesting to see how the coaching staff chooses to play Barham.
Regardless of how he’s used, Barham is an exciting player to watch and was recently named “one of the best players in the country” by Lou Esposito. It will be fun to watch him once again fly around and make life difficult for opposing offenses.
Defensive Back – Shamari Earls
Michigan’s secondary had its fair share of ups and downs last year. With Will Johnson headed to the NFL, question marks are aplenty for the Wolverines as they enter the spring game. Zeke Berry and Jyaire Hill both showed flashes last year, but Michigan needs another corner to step up on the boundary. Could true freshman Shamari Earls be that guy?
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 203 pounds, Earls already has the size of someone ready to contribute. We’ll look to see how much he is incorporated (if at all) with the starters in the spring game. Sophomore Jo’Ziah Edmond will be a player to watch as well.