Michigan Football position groups to be the most, least confident in

With sky-high expectations in 2025, these are Michigan Football’s position groups that fans should be the most and least confident in heading into the summer:

The Michigan Wolverines have gone through significant turnover, with five NFL draft picks coming in the first three rounds. Yet, expectations for Sherrone Moore in Year 2 are that he leads this team back to the College Football Playoff.

But despite all the changes, it feels like two very similar position groups are the ones that we are the most and the least confident in as we head into the summer months.

Defense

Most Confident: Interior defensive line

It’s crazy to say the defensive line is the area to lay the most confidence after losing Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, but there is so much to like here. Defensive line coach Lou Esposito said in April he’s treating six guys — Rayshaun Benny, Trey Pierce, Damon Payne, Enow Etta, Ike Iwunnah, and Tre Williams — like they are starters.

All six weigh more than 300 pounds and have experience in at least 10 games, with Benny, Williams and Payne all playing significant snaps a season ago. The expectation is these guys will all come in waves to keep them fresh. This might help the overall unit be even better than last year when Graham and Grant took the majority of snaps.

Having so many options on the interior should have fans really excited.

Least Confident: Safety

Michigan’s secondary should take a step forward in 2025, but the confidence in the safety position is still worrisome with Rod Moore’s recovery taking such a long time. Moore didn’t participate this spring, and while he continues to get healthy, a recent video on his Instagram doesn’t spur a lot of confidence about his availability this fall.

Moore’s 2023 and 2024 counterpart, Makari Paige, is also no longer on the roster, leaving two starting positions open this fall. Brandyn Hillman and Mason Curtis are the two names to watch — both made a significant impact in 2024 and will be positioned to play at a much larger capacity this fall.

The Wolverines have added some transfers — Jaden Mangham and the Metcalf brothers — over the last two offseasons, so there are quality players in the room. But this is still without a doubt the most concerning position group as of now on defense.

Offense

Most Confident: Running back

Law and Order is coming to the Big Ten, with Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall poised to be a premier rushing duo. No matter who “starts,” fans should be confident about them splitting carries much.

Still, there is a long way to go for them to prove they can be one of the best in the country. This isn’t a Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards situation yet. Even the last two years with Edwards, Blake Corum and Kalel Mullings, eventually one guys became the lead back while the other was supplemented. Even in a new offensive scheme, I suspect one will wind up with at least a 60-40 split by the end of the season.

Least Confident: Wide receiver

Call it quarterback play, call it play calling, it doesn’t matter. The wide receivers must be better in 2025. For this team to compete in any capacity, they have to have to be able to find and hit open receivers across the field.

Quarterback was addressed this offseason with Bryce Underwood and Mikey Keene, but it appears familiar faces will need to step up and make an impact. That includes two upperclassmen in Fred Moore and Semaj Morgan. While both have shown flashes, neither are an alpha wideout at the moment. It also doesn’t help them that Moore hit the transfer portal for receivers this offseason.

This spring, Moore highlighted Donaven McCulley and true freshmen Jamar Browder and Andrew Marsh as a couple big-bodied receivers that be is excited for. All of the coaches’ comments make it seem like this room is wide open for playing time. While that is exciting for new guys to step up, it also shows there is little confidence for the position in general heading into the summer.