RB Micah Ka’apana’s path to Michigan Football, outlook for 2025

There’s room for a third ball carrier to emerge for the Michigan Wolverines, and redshirt freshman Micah Ka’apana is among the players competing for that spot. Here’s what to expect from him in 2025:

The Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards era in Ann Arbor has come to a close, and the Michigan Wolverines will have two new go-to starting backs this season. They are still in a great spot with Jordan Marshall expected to lead the way alongside Alabama transfer Justice Haynes, but another name that has generated some intrigue is redshirt freshman Micah Ka’apana.

Battling for a depth role in the running back rotation this fall, here is what you should know about him as he battles to see the field more in 2025.

The story so far

Ka’apana was the second running back brought into the class of 2024 behind Marshall. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a junior in 2022 with 19 total touchdowns, making him the No. 1 recruit in the state of Nevada. After visits to Oklahoma State, Hawaii, Washington State and Nebraska, Ka’apana decided in Dec. 2023 to commit to Michigan.

While he redshirted in his first season — playing only against Northwestern and Alabama — Ka’apana did everything you could ask from a young player. He earned Scout Team Offensive Player of the Week in preparing the defense for Arkansas State. Then, before the contest against Northwestern, head coach Sherrone Moore propped him up a bit.

“Yeah, the guy that really, really took a next step, and he’ll be implemented in the game plan a little bit more this week is Micah Kaapana,” Moore said. “Very shifty, great contact balance, he’s small but he’s not little. And the dude plays with power, he plays strong, but he’s super fast. I think he had a game in high school where he had five carries, and he had five touchdowns, so the dude’s really, really dynamic. He’s got ability to be dynamic, so I’m excited to see what he does with the ball in his hands.”

Outlook for 2025

Ka’apana had a great shot at being RB3, but now he has some competition as Moore and the Wolverines brought in John Volker (Princeton) and C.J. Hester (UMass) from the transfer portal. This make it difficult to see where exactly Ka’apana fits into the rotation in 2025, so it could be another year before he earns significant playing time.

That being said, Ka’apana was a key part of both touchdowns in the spring game, punching the ball into the end zone for the first score, and helping execute the flea-flicker for an 88-yard touchdown.

Ka’apana’s continued development and how he performs during fall camp will play a key role in how much he plays in 2025.