The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1536962
THE WOLVERINE 2025 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 17 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL A total of 31 states and one foreign country (Germany) are represented on the 2025 Michigan roster of scholarship players. Here's a breakdown of the seven states with the great- est representation along with the key players from each. Michigan (15) Unsurprisingly, the largest bulk of the Wolverines' players come from their own backyard. Michigan has always recruited its state well, and some of its best players grew up just down the road from Ann Arbor. The program's in-state representatives include graduates Damon Payne (Belleville), Greg Tarr (Romeo), Rayshaun Benny (Detroit), Giovanni El-Hadi (Sterling Heights), Luke Bauer (Livonia) and Lawrence Hattar (Livonia), along with senior Jaden Mangham (Beverly Hills) and juniors Semaj Morgan (West Bloomfield) and Bryson Kuzdzal (Ada). Safety Jacob Oden (Detroit) and tight end Brady Prieskorn (Lake Orion) represent the sophomore class, while No. 1 over- all recruit Bryce Underwood (Belleville) headlines a freshman group that includes offensive linemen Avery Gach (Franklin), Kaden Strayhorn (Novi) and Bobby Kanka (Howell). Illinois (8) Graduate edge Tyler McLaurin (Bolingbrook) represents the state on this year's team, followed by senior linebacker Jimmy Rolder (Orland Park). The junior class includes tight end Deakon Tonielli (Oswego), defensive linemen Brooks Bahr (Lake Forest) and Trey Pierce (Chicago) and cornerback Jyaire Hill (Kankakee). Sophomore wide receiver I'Marion Stewart (Chicago) and freshman edge Nate Marshall (Oak Park) fill out the group. California (6) Roster representation from California is headlined by graduate quarterback Davis Warren (Los Angeles) and se- nior defensive back Zeke Berry (Pittsburg). Tight end Zack Marshall (Carlsbad) and defensive lineman Cameron Brandt (Chatsworth) are both juniors, along with two portal addi- tions: long snapper Trent Middleton (Fullerton), a transfer from UCLA, and offensive tackle Brady Norton (Mission Viejo), who transferred from Cal Poly. Maryland (6) A pair of defensive starters, edge rusher Derrick Moore (Bal- timore) and linebacker Jaishawn Barham (District Heights), represent the seniors from the state. Sophomore edges Devon Baxter (Brandywine), Lugard Edokpayi (Bowie) and Dominic Nichols (Ijamsville) also hail from Maryland. Freshman line- backer Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng (Hyattsville) rounds out the contingent. Ohio (6) Graduate transfer wide receiver C.J. Charleston (Gates Mills) and fifth-year safety Rod Moore (Clayton) lead the way in terms of experience from south of the state line. Sophomore repre- sentation on this year's roster includes running back Jordan Marshall (Cincinnati), offensive linemen Luke Hamilton (Avon) and Ben Roebuck (Lakewood) and defensive lineman Ted Ham- mond (Cincinnati). Texas (6) Graduate defensive tackle Ike Iwunnah (Garland) is U-M's most experienced player from the Lone Star State, followed by position-mate Enow Etta (Keller) heading into his junior sea- son. Sophomore offensive lineman Blake Frazier (Austin), son of former Wolverine Steve Frazier, is the next most experienced player from Texas. The program added three players from the state in the 2025 recruiting class in wide receiver Andrew Marsh (Fulshear), offensive lineman Ty Haywood (Denton) and defensive back Jayden Sanders (Kilgore). Georgia (5) The Wolverines have a pair of juniors out of Georgia in run- ning back Justice Haynes (Buford), who joined the program via the transfer portal from Alabama, and offensive lineman Nathan Efobi (Atlanta). Sherrone Moore and staff signed three players from the state in the 2025 class in running back Dono- van Johnson (Savannah), linebacker Chase Taylor (Stockbridge) and edge Julius Holly (Alpharetta). — Anthony Broome Michigan, Illinois Boast The Largest State Contingents On U-M's 2025 Scholarship Roster Junior running back Bryson Kuzdzal (Ada, Mich.) is one of 15 in-state scholarship players on the Wolverines' roster. The former walk-on had 14 carries for a game-high 105 yards in the 2025 spring game. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN