Michigan made substantial improvements to the roster this offseason, ranking Top-10 in the country for the recruiting/transfer portal class it brought in. But these are the 5 most important additions for the 2025 season:
The Michigan Wolverines disappointed overall in 2024. Yet, with an offense that ranked among the service academies for passing statistics, they went 8-5 with wins over Ohio State and Alabama to close out the campaign. Adjustments were necessary, and head coach Sherrone Moore went out and made noticeable improvements to the roster this offseason.
Now, Michigan will try to get back to the College Football Playoff with the help of some new players. These are the five guys whose play will be most important for the program to get there.
No. 5 – DT Damon Payne
The top of the defensive tackle depth chart took a major hit with Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham both going to the next level. The Wolverines were aggressive in the portal at the position, adding top targets Damon Payne and Tre Williams, two starting-caliber players from blue blood programs.
Payne brings five-star pedigree back to his roots in the state of Michigan. He’ll be an instant-impact player who, at a minimum, will be a rotational piece on the defensive line. He has a chance to be the starter next to Rayshaun Benny. The success of the interior will be paramount to Michigan’s success, and Payne should play a massive role.
No. 4 – OT Andrew Babalola
Part of Michigan’s offensive woes last year came from the offensive line. In comes five-star and Top-15 player in the 2024 class, Andrew Babalola.
Notably, Babalola was the first pick in the team’s spring game draft. That is unheard of from an early-enrollee, true freshman player. Earlier this summer, Moore called Babalola “a superstar in the making” and “an absolute freak.” He’ll be competing with Evan Link and Blake Frazier to be the starting left tackle.
Babalola winning the job would be an indictment of the hype he has been receiving all offseason. Even if it comes later in the year, it would be exciting to watch Babalola and Bryce Underwood grow together at maybe the two most important positions on offense.
No. 3 – RB Justice Haynes
Haynes is the second player on this list who came from Alabama. He’s also another former five-star recruit and was the No. 1 running back in the portal.
As a rotational piece last season, Haynes averaged 5.9 yards per carry and went for 448 yards and seven touchdowns. Michigan has long utilized a two running back approach to even out the workload. Between Haynes and Jordan Marshall, Michigan should have one of the most electric backfields in the Big Ten.
No. 2 – WR Donaven McCulley
It was part scheme, part talent that was the problem for Michigan’s pass offense in 2024. Having three different starting quarterbacks and poor play calling certainly impacted the room, but returning receivers accounted for only 439 yards last season.
McCulley’s addition is significant. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound receiver adds significant size and experience to a unit that was desperate for both.
“Big, tall, strong, fast, explosive, big-play ability,” Moore said of McCulley at Big Ten Media Days. “He gives you what we kind of got with Nico.”
No. 1 – QB Bryce Underwood
Without a doubt, the most important newcomer to Michigan’s success this season is Underwood. We’re talking about maybe the most prolific high school talent to ever walk through the tunnel at the Big House, coming in to replace the team’s largest weakness from a year prior.
Is there a world Underwood doesn’t start Week 1? Sure, but the leash on transfer Mikey Keene — the only other legitimate option to start — would be minuscule. As soon as Michigan starts struggling offensively, there should be no reason it doesn’t turn to Underwood.
The true freshman is the future of the program. The Wolverines need him to be a success, starting this year, for the team to achieve its goals in 2025 and beyond.