The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1534644
MAY 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 11 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Fred Moore Will Emerge As A Michigan Deep Threat By Chris Balas The Michigan receiving room has been absent star power for a while. Even when the Wolver- ines had some NFL receivers — Nico Collins and Donovan Peoples-Jones, specifically — former head coach Jim Harbaugh's "ground and pound" offenses limited their production. Last year was one of the worst, if not the worst, in recent memory. It wasn't just the receivers who struggled, but also the quarterbacks and the offensive line. When there was time to throw, Davis Warren made some decent throws … they were few and far between, however, and Michigan had one of the worst passing offenses in college football as a result. Freshman Bryce Underwood figures to be the guy behind center this year, and he made passes in the spring game you'd expect of a Michigan quarter- back. Sources said during spring practices that Donaven McCulley was a fa- vorite target, but also that junior Fred Moore was emerging as a deep threat capable of getting behind defenses. That's one area in which the Wolverines have been lacking the last several years. Moore showed what he could do in the ReliaQuest Bowl with some nice catches, including a back-shoulder touchdown. He's got the speed, which was on display last spring game … it says here he could surprise and be the big-play receiver for the Wolverines in 2025. Donaven McCulley Will Take Over As Top Receiver By Clayton Sayfie For the first time this century, Michigan had a tight end lead the team in receiving yards (582) last season. Colston Loveland also paced the group with 56 receptions and 5 touchdown grabs. No other player had even half of what Loveland put up in any of the three categories. Michigan had a particularly down year at quar- terback and wide receiver, and Loveland was spe- cial. It's hard to predict a tight end will be the top target again in 2025, and we'll predict that a newcomer — Indiana graduate transfer wide receiver Donaven McCulley — will be the biggest playmaker in the pass game. McCulley has had a long, winding career that saw him begin as a quar- terback before moving to wide receiver. It took him some time to get ac- climated, but he showed flashes in 2023, once he got more comfortable, posting 48 catches for 644 yards and 6 touchdowns. Consistency has been a challenge, and McCulley redshirted and left the Hoosier team a season ago, but a change of scenery will do him well. The 6-foot-5, 200-pounder has been the first wideout mentioned by most coaches and players this offseason when discussing who's standing out at wide receiver. We'll project that he winds up with the most receiving yards on the team this fall, helping the corps put together a resurgent season. ❱ POINT ❙ COUNTERPOINT ❰ WHO WILL LEAD MICHIGAN IN RECEIVING YARDS IN 2025? MCCULLEY MOORE CALL: 800-421-7751 10:00-4:00 ET, Mon.-Fri. Or call 919-688-0218 if outside the continental U.S. Mailing a check? Please call for details. ORDER ONLINE: www.TheWolverineOnDemand.com Scan this QR Code to start your order! Order 24 hours a day from our online store! Written by the staff of The Wolverine, this commemorative magazine celebrates Michigan's remarkable 2023 season and its 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship run. It includes: ❱ Features on Jim Harbaugh, Blake Corum, J.J. McCarthy, Mike Sainristil, the defensive line and the journey to the title ❱ Great photography ❱ Game-by-game coverage ❱ Columns, stats and much more! ❱ 148 full-color, glossy pages Only $10.00 each Save Even More On Bulk Orders! (Sales tax where applicable) Limited Edition. While supplies last! The hardbound books are sold out! Don't miss out on your last chance to own this piece of Michigan history!. 2023 NATIONAL CHAMPS! S P E C I A L C O M M E M O R A T I V E E D I T I O N P r e s e n t s T H E W O L V E R I N E M A G A Z I N E MAKES A GREAT GIFT! WHILE SUPPLIES LAST