Some position groups have vastly improved, while others have some questions that need to be answered on the field. We assess which positions are trending upwards and which ones are on the decline this spring for Michigan Football:
With just a few weeks until Michigan football takes part in the spring game, we’re taking a look at how we think position groups this spring will compare to the 2024 season. While some positions are obviously better, there are still a few that could go either way.
Here’s a look at how we’re rating those groups a few days into spring practice.
Quarterbacks: Stock up
Is there really much of an argument here? Michigan landed the No. 1 recruit in the country in Bryce Underwood, and then landed transfer portal quarterback Mikey Keene. Compared to Michigan’s quarterback carousel last year, there’s really only one way to go, and that’s up.
Running backs: Stock up
Michigan seemed to be in a tough position last season with this position group. Kalel Mullings earned more snaps based on production, but Donovan Edwards was a leader and made big plays throughout his career. Overall, Mullings was the better runner and Kirk Campbell heavily underutilized Edwards in the passing game.
This year, Michigan has redshirt freshman Jordan Marshall competing for snaps with Alabama transfer Justice Haynes. These two have major potential to elevate Michigan’s run game immediately in 2025 and could form one of the top duos in the country.
Wide receivers: Stock up
Despite losing Tyler Morris to the portal, Michigan brought in a few guys via the portal and high school ranks, while also returning guys like Fred Moore, Semaj Morgan and Peyton O’Leary. Transfers Donaven McCulley and Anthony Simpson bring more experience to the room and should give the quarterbacks reliable targets. While there are still some questions about how it will all work out, Chip Lindsey being added to the staff makes this a stock up for me.
Tight ends: Stock down
Losing Colston Loveland is going to impact this position group in some way. While we’ve seen some good plays from Marlin Klein and Hogan Hansen, Loveland is a special player and can’t easily be replaced. The position won’t take a huge step back, but it’s hard not to see it as a stock down situation when you’re losing a likely Day 1 NFL Draft pick.
Offensive line: Stock up
Last year’s offensive line saw some drop off compared to the previous three seasons of dominant play. Evan Link performed somewhat better at left tackle against Alabama compared to when he was on the right side during the regular season. Additionally, Gio El-Hadi and Greg Crippen return to lock down two of the interior spots. Michigan also landed a pair of highly ranked freshmen in Ty Haywood and Andrew Babalola. This seems like another group destined to improve.
Cornerbacks: Stock down
The loss of Will Johnson will have some sort of an impact on this group. While he dealt with an injury for most of the season, he still had two impactful pick-sixes and came up big in Michigan’s early games. Zeke Berry and Jyaire Hill return with more experience und their belts, but it’s hard not to see some struggles for this position.
Safeties: Stock up
If Rod Moore is healthy and playing at a level anywhere near what he was earlier in his career, this seems like a no-brainer stock up situation. If he’s still hurt or doesn’t have that same edge he played with in 2023, it seems like this might be another position group that could face some challenges. However, the return of Brandyn Hillman is big after the way he closed out the season, and Mason Curtis is a rising young player as well.
Defensive line: Stock down
Michigan’s defensive line will still have strength, but losing Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant shouldn’t be underestimated. Those two guys were a force for multiple seasons and it’s tough to ask anyone to replace them. Rayshaun Benny will finally have a chance to shine, and the Wolverines brought in transfers Tre Williams and Damon Payne Jr. to help solidify the group. Hopefully that will keep the defensive line from dropping off too much.
Edge: Stock up
Losing Josaiah Stewart is big, but I like the return of TJ Guy and Derrick Moore, especially after their performance against Alabama. Moore had four tackles and two sacks against Alabama, and TJ Guy offered some assistance on a few major plays. Cameron Brandt also had two tackles and a sack in the final game of the season, which he could build on ahead of 2025. And don’t forget about Dominic Nichols, who also flashed when he was on the field as a true freshman last year.
Linebackers: Stock up
Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham returning for another year is crucial, as they bring experience and leadership to a defense full of new starters at other positions. Jimmy Rolder and Jaydon Hood behind them provide quality depth, and Cole Sullivan could sneak his way onto the field more in 2025 as well.
Special Teams: Stock up
Getting Dominic Zvada back for one more season cannot go under the radar — he was huge in some of Michigan’s biggest wins of the season, especially over the Buckeyes. Hopefully, the Lou Groza committee will pay more attention to him in 2025.
The punting unit could improve, although that’s a bit more murky than any of the other special teams units, and the return game should also improve.
What do you think about position groups heading into the Spring Game? Let us know in the comments!