Top plays from 2024 of Michigan Football players returning in 2025

With loads of talent returning to Ann Arbor, we take a look at the top plays from the 2024 season among Michigan Wolverines that are returning in 2025:

With three first-round picks off to the NFL, there’s no denying Michigan lost some high-end talent this offseason. However, the cupboards are anything but bare.

Back in December, we highlighted the top plays of the 2024 regular season . However, that was from all players on the roster. Today, we want to focus solely on those who will be back in 2025.

7. Mason Cutis’ INT against Northwestern

Curtis came to Michigan as a position-less recruit. It was a bit surprising to see him on the field so early into his career. However, he left an impression early.

A third-quarter interception in a blowout may not seem incredibly noteworthy, but it could be a harbinger of what’s to come for Mason in his career. Hopefully he can parlay that play into more success in the future.

6. Derrick Moore single-handedly forces turnover on downs

Moore and Josaiah Stewart wreaked havoc on opponent backfields all season long. This was most apparent in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama. With Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant sitting out, Moore treated the game like his own personal showcase.

Field conditions were admittedly sloppy, but this kind of bullrush could help turn Moore into a NFL Draft prospect in short order.

5. Cameron Brandt’s fumble recovery vs Alabama

In a similar vein, Brandt didn’t see the field a ton in 2024, but he will be leaned on heavily in 2025. With a chance to show what he’s made of, Brandt scooped up one of several Jalen Milroe fumbles and nearly took it to the house.

4. Peyton O’Leary makes a diving catch in Columbus

O’Leary made his presence felt in The Game with this diving catch that helped save Michigan late. The Wolverines couldn’t have pulled off the massive upset without this clutch catch that moved the chains.

3. Fred Moore’s TD catch in torrential rain

It’s safe to say 2024 was a disappointing year for the wide receivers. However, they ended on a high note even in a torrential downpour. Amidst the flurry of Alabama turnovers, the offense was able to pay one of them off into a touchdown.

Moore could be a key piece of the Wolverine offense in 2025. Donaven McCulley will likely step into the WR1 role, but Moore and Semaj Morgan will be prominently featured in Chip Lindsey’s offense.

2. Ernest Hausmann’s leaping INT against Washington

Had the Wolverines pulled out the win, I might have this play at the top of the list. Hausmann leapt out of nowhere to pick off a pass in a tied game in the fourth quarter.

Both Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham return in 2025 to give Michigan one of the best linebacker tandems in the country. Don’t be surprised to see Hausmann earn one of the captain spots.

1. Dominic Zvada wins The Game

Is this objectively an easy field goal to make? In a vacuum, yes. However, with The Game on the line in a year in which Michigan was a 20+ point underdog and Ohio State had their Big Ten championship hopes on the line, you can hardly consider Zvada’s chip shot to be easy.

In my book, if you hit a game-winning field against Ohio State, you are etched in lore no matter how far away the field goal was. Zvada has reached legendary status in my eyes.