The Maize n Brew Roundtable is back for the Michigan Football spring game! We discuss what we’re most excited to see, who we think starts at QB this season, bold predictions and more:
The spring game is tomorrow, which will provide us our first glimpse at the 2025 Michigan Wolverines ! To celebrate this joyous occasion, members of the Maize n Brew staff got together to answer some of the hottest Michigan football questions leading up to Saturday’s spring game.
The spring game is (already) here! Those of us that will be at the game will get our first look at what should be an exciting 2025 team. What are you most looking forward to seeing during the spring game?
Von: Just like everybody else, I’m most interested to see how Bryce Underwood performs. The most hyped recruit in program history will finally throw a football in front of a live crowd for the first time in a Michigan uniform, so the conversation starts and ends with that for me and probably a ton of other people.
Nick: I think the new-look offense under Chip Lindsey will be exciting as a whole to get a look at. However, I’ll go a bit more specific and say I’m excited to see how the receivers are used this year. This is a group that didn’t do the quarterbacks any favors last year, so I want to see if there’s been a step forward from the group. Donaven McCulley will be fun to watch in maize and blue for the first time, while it’ll also be interesting to see how returning guys like Semaj Morgan and Fred Moore get used. I’ll also be curious to see if some of the seldom-used guys from last year like Channing Goodwin or Kendrick Bell are able to have some big moments.
Andrew: Defensively, how does the front replaced two first-round talents and a premier edge rusher? Rayshaun Benny has shown it in flashes, but is he ready to be the guy? What about the rotation around him? Michigan’s defensive prowess is built upon a foundation of stopping the run first and foremost. We will get our first glimpse this Saturday if they have what it takes to continue a long tradition of great Michigan defensive lines.
Sam: Evan Link. I had very high hopes for him last year, and while he didn’t necessarily perform to my expectations, I think he has all the tools to be a complete stud.
Kellen: Well, I wish I could watch it live on TV, but paranoia remains one of the kings of this silly little sport. The obvious answer is seeing how Bryce Underwood looks and how he lives up to the hype, so I’ll zag and say Jordan Marshall. With a 100-yard performance in the bowl game win over Alabama, he flashed the potential to be the next star running back for the Wolverines. What kind of improvements has he made, and in true offseason cliché fashion, is he in the best shape of his life?
Eric: How good Underwood truly is.
Grace: I think it will be interesting to see how the wide receivers look. While you can’t judge any position solely on spring, I’m watching for growth from the receivers.
As of now, the only QBs practicing are Bryce Underwood and Jadyn Davis, with Mikey Keene recovering from an unknown ailment. As of today, who do you expect to be the starting QB Week 1 against New Mexico? And do you think Michigan should seek another QB in the portal?
Von: Underwood will be the starter in Week 1 — I’ve been on this train since Mikey Keene transferred in, and I am not getting off the train anytime soon. I would only be in favor of adding another quarterback in the portal if A) Keene is going to miss playing time in the fall, and B) If there is a good enough option worth pursuing. The going rate for players in the portal isn’t cheap these days — thanks a lot, Nico — so if Michigan is going to get another guy in the portal, it better be a good one.
Nick: If Underwood is able to perform well and Keene is still lagging behind from his injury, I’d expect it to be Underwood. Although Keene is the more experienced guy, it wouldn’t seem right simply to hand him the keys to the offense if he hasn’t performed at a high level and hasn’t had a ton of reps with the starting group. I also won’t rule out getting a quarterback from the portal, but I think this should only be done if Michigan feels like it isn’t comfortable with what it puts out there in Week 1 – whether it be an inexperienced Underwood or a non-100 percent Keene.
Andrew: It appears to be trending toward Underwood and I expect that to only pick up steam this summer. As for a transfer, absolutely. Veteran bodies are always welcomed additions. There has to be another Alan Bowman out there somewhere.
Sam: I always figured it’d be Keene for a few games and then Underwood (JJ/Cade type situation) but I’m just gonna root for Underwood Day 1 now.
Kellen: I mean it’s got to be Bryce right? *Don Draper voice* That’s what the money is for! While Keene has an advantage with his experience. I’d be shocked if Underwood doesn’t start in Week 1.
Eric: I think Underwood now has the upper hand with Keene being hurt. I don’t think they will add one through the portal but if they do, it will not be someone who has a meaningful chance to start.
Grace: I mean, Bryce Underwood seems like an obvious frontrunner, yeah? I still haven’t given up on Jadyn Davis, he seems like the kind of kid you want around a program, but it doesn’t seem like he’ll be the starter week 1. I’m worried Mikey Keene is going to be the next Jack Tuttle based on info we’re getting from coaches, but I don’t know that it’s worth going back to the portal to get another player.
There are a lot of new faces this season on both sides of the ball, with talented players coming via the portal and the high school ranks. Name one newcomer on offense and defense that you are most looking forward to seeing in the spring game.
Von: The obvious answer for offense is Bryce Underwood, but other than him, I am excited to see running back Justice Haynes. He and Jordan Marshall should form one of the best duos in the Big Ten this season, so it’ll be great to get a good look at him.
For defense, I’m going to go with a cop out answer and say the two dudes in the middle — Damon Payne Jr. and Tre Williams. All reports out of spring so far have been positive for the former Alabama and Clemson, respectively, defensive tackles. Replacing Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant is no easy task, so I am eager to see how they stack up against Michigan’s offensive line.
Nick: On offense I’ll be looking at Donaven McCulley. As I previously mentioned, the wide receiver group is one of the things I’m most looking forward to seeing in the spring game, and McCulley is expected to be the leader in that room this year. On defense, I’ll be excited to see what freshman Shamari Earls can do. There could be some snaps to go around at corner this year, so it’ll be interesting to see how fast he can climb the depth chart.
Andrew: Wide receiver Donoven McCulley. There has been so much smoke surrounding this player that worries me a little (see Amorion Walker playing corner two years ago). However, he has shown the ability in the past to be a security blanket and red zone threat. Two things that will quickly become an inexperienced quarterback’s best friend.
Sam: Justice Haynes — I’m pumped for that one-two punch with Marshall. Tré Williams — you can never have enough maulers up front, and that guy can maul.
Kellen: I’ll go with Andrew Marsh on offense and Shamari Earls on defense. Both are highly regarded freshmen that would be getting more buzz if it weren’t for Bryce Underwood getting all the headlines. Marsh has the potential to be a go-to option who grows with Underwood, while Earls can provide impact in the next few years in the secondary.
Eric: Offense — clearly Underwood. On defense, I’m really intrigued by Shamari Earls. Of the freshmen, he seems the most physically ready to compete.
Grace: I think I’m most excited about Tre Williams. I’m worried about the loss of Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant on the defensive line and I’m curious to see how Williams steps up.
Finish this sentence: “After the spring game, I hope to have more clarity on…”
Von: The offensive line rotation. Giovanni El-Hadi (left guard) and Greg Crippen (center) are truly the only two guaranteed starters as of this moment. You can probably pencil in Nathan Efobi at right guard, but I need to see more out of him before I put that in sharpie. Evan Link (left tackle) and Andrew Sprague (right tackle) both performed pretty well against the Tide in the ReliaQuest Bowl, but can they consistently perform at a high level to earn those starting jobs? Can true freshman Andrew Babalola and/or Cal Poly transfer Brady Norton push for a starting role? I’m hoping we get a bit more clarity on this by the end of the game.
Nick: What the offense will look like. It seemed like last year while the talent wasn’t really there for Michigan across the board, the scheme and play calling didn’t help matters. With a more experienced guy like Chip Lindsey pulling the strings, I’d expect things to be much cleaner in 2025. Furthermore, I’d hope to see if guys are used in different alignments or given the ball in better ways than they were a year ago.
Andrew: How Michigan is going to bolster its return game.
Sam: The offensive line.
Kellen: Who Michigan’s No. 1 option in the passing game is going to be. Wide Receiver hasn’t been a strength for the Wolverines in more than a few years, but that’s bound to change with a new OC and new quarterbacks. Donovan McCulley may be the early leader, but this spring game could shed some light on how much players like Semaj Morgan and Marlin Klein will be used offensively.
Eric: If Underwood is worth the hype.
Grace: Just how much OC Chip Lindsey is revamping the offense. No one expects him to rework things entirely, but seeing how he’s adjusted his plans based on the talent he has, I want to see if there are any changes to best utilize some of the returners.
Finally, it’s bold prediction time! Make one bold prediction for what is to come for the rest of Michigan’s offseason.
Von: Michigan lands a significant player for the 2025 season via the portal.
Nick: I think the Wolverines will grab at least one more offensive lineman out of the transfer portal. The offensive line is the one spot where you can never have too much depth, and Michigan really underwhelmed here a year ago. Even if things look good in the spring game, I would expect Michigan to still add to the group just as insurance that there are plenty of good options to chose from when assembling the final starting five for the fall.
Andrew: One of the most important players for this fall isn’t on the roster yet.
Sam: Barham becomes Michigan’s best edge.
Kellen: It may not be that bold considering he’s a five-star, but I’ll predict that even as a true freshman, Andrew Babalola has a chance to crack the starting five on the offensive line. If he doesn’t earn a starting spot, Michigan gets him on the field as part of a jumbo package.
Eric: Michigan lands at least one additional wide receiver through the transfer portal.
Grace: I honestly don’t know that I have any bold predictions this offseason. I’m too embarrassed by my optimism heading into last season. My somewhat safe prediction is we’ll have some more information about the quarterback battle at some point between now and Week 1.