Predicting Michigan Football’s depth chart ahead of fall camp: Offense

With fall camp starting this week for the Michigan Wolverines, here’s our prediction for the offensive depth chart as things stand today:

Any way you look at it, Michigan’s offense struggled last season. The Wolverines’ 22 points per game was No. 113 nationally and was the catalyst for a host of moves this offseason, including the arrival of new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey.

Lindsey will have a talented, albeit young group to work with in Ann Arbor this year. The offense looks a bit different than it did last year, but features some exciting new pieces like Bryce Underwood, Justice Haynes and Donaven McCulley.

Here’s a look at our prediction for Michigan’s pre-fall camp offensive depth chart.

Quarterback

Starter: Bryce Underwood

Depth: Mikey Keene, Jadyn Davis, Jake Garcia, Chase Herbstreit, Davis Warren (injured)

Sherrone Moore and Michigan making the push they made for Underwood signaled the program was serious about getting things right at the quarterback position. He should get the chance to immediately prove himself.

While Underwood starting isn’t set in stone, it seems like a good bet, as was reported by 247Sports. Mikey Keene will likely be the primary backup. Keene likely would have pushed Underwood for the starting job, but he was hindered by an undisclosed injury this spring. Meanwhile, Davis will look to continue his development after only seeing the field in one game last season.

Michigan also brought in East Carolina transfer Jake Garcia, as well as true freshman Chase Herbstreit. Warren is continuing to rehab from a torn ACL suffered in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

Running Back

Starters: Jordan Marshall/Justice Haynes

Depth: John Volker, C.J. Hester, Micah Ka’apana, Jasper Parker, Bryson Kuzdzal

Even after losing Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings this offseason, Michigan’s running back depth appears to be in a pretty good place. Leading the way are Marshall and Haynes, who should enter the season getting nearly an even split of the carries.

Marshall had a great finish to 2024 by rushing for 100 yards against Alabama. Haynes had 448 rushing yards last year in Tuscaloosa and could be a sneaky pass-catching option, too, as he had 99 yards receiving last year.

Further down the depth chart, the Wolverines have a pair of experienced transfers in Volker and Hester. Volker ran for 952 yards over the last two seasons at Princeton, while Hester ran for 529 yards last year at UMass. Others like Micah Ka’apana, Bryson Kuzdzal and Jasper Parker will also be looking to establish themselves.

Wide Receiver

Starters – Donaven McCulley, Fred Moore, Semaj Morgan

Depth – Channing Goodwin, Andrew Marsh, Anthony Simpson, Peyton O’Leary, Jamar Browder, Kendrick Bell

Much like 2024, wide receiver still might be the position group we have the most questions about heading into the season. While there are three starters listed above, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see five, six, or even seven players get plenty of snaps throughout the year.

The player that seems like the alpha is McCulley, a 6-foot-5 jump-ball option that’ll be looking to re-establish himself in 2025 after playing sparingly for Indiana last year. Behind him are Morgan and Moore, who are both hoping to bounce back this year, hopefully with more appropriate usage from Lindsey.

As for the rest of the group, one of the guys to keep an eye on will be Marsh, a twitchy and athletic true freshman. While it might be a lot to ask of him to contribute right away, his talent could make a big difference by the end of the year. Additionally, Goodwin could look to make a push for more playing time if he’s able to show some strides in his development.

Tight End

Starters: Marlin Klein & Max Bredeson (H-back)

Depth: Hogan Hansen, Jalen Hoffman, Zack Marshall, Brady Prieskorn, Deakon Tonielli

The tight end group took the biggest hit of any position group this offseason with Colston Loveland being drafted. The cupboards aren’t totally bare, but all these guys will be looking to step up in Loveland’s absence.

Bredeson returns, but as for the primary pass-catching options, Klein is the leader in the clubhouse at this point. He’s been raved about as one of the more athletic players in the program the last few seasons, so it’ll be interesting to see what he can do with more opportunities.

However, Klein will be fending off Hansen, a player that seemed to be on the rise at the end of last season. He only caught seven passes last season, but seems to be on a good trajectory that could lead to a breakout this year.

Another potential contributor this year could be Hoffman, a junior that could contribute as both an in-line and H-back option. He broke out with more than 100 receiving yards in the spring game and was Underwood’s favorite target that day. Additionally, Prieskorn could look to move up the depth chart if he’s fully healthy after an injury prior to the Ohio State game last year.

Offensive Line

Starters: Evan Link (LT), Giovanni El-Hadi (LG), Greg Crippen (C), Nathan Efobi (RG), Andrew Sprague (RT)

Depth: Andrew Babalola, Blake Frazier, Brady Norton, Lawrence Hattar, Jake Guarnera, Luke Hamilton, Ben Roebuck

After being one of the nation’s best units from 2021-23, Michigan’s offensive line took a step back in 2024. The line was especially weak at the start of the year, as a new combination of starters got used to playing with each other.

El-Hadi, Crippen and Link are this year’s returning starers. El-Hadi is the most experienced of the group, as he’d been getting playing time as early as 2022. Link had an up and down campaign in 2024, and was even benched for a period of time before returning to the lineup and playing better. He’ll kick out to left tackle this year, as Sprague looks to build on a strong end to the 2024 season at right tackle.

Where things could get interesting is with Babalola. We currently list him as the first man off the bench, but the coaching staff and his teammates have raved about him this offseason. Despite only playing organized football since his junior year of high school, he could be ready to compete on the big stage right away.

Finally, Frazier, Hattar and Norton could be candidates to jump into the starting lineup if things go right for them in fall camp.