The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1536962
THE WOLVERINE 2025 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 35 1. Will the Michigan offensive line-play be better in 2025 and good enough to keep up with the better defenses on the schedule? This position seems similar to the quarterback question mark last year. If it's good, this team has a chance to contend in the Big Ten, maybe beat anyone on the schedule during the regular season. If it's leaky, you're looking at another season in which the defense might have to carry the team, and the complemen- tary football they want to play won't be an option. Left tackle is the biggest issue, and each of the candidates (transfer Brady Norton, junior Evan Link, and freshman Andrew Babalola) all seemed to have their issues in protection this spring. With the portal apparently tapped out, development here is going to be huge. 2. Do the Wolverines have enough firepower at wide receiver? This one made the list last year, too, and on paper, there are still quite a few concerns. Indiana transfer Donaven McCulley seems to be the potential go-to guy here, but he barely played for the Hoosiers last year after catching 48 passes for 644 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2023. Can he return to form? Beyond that, juniors Fred Moore (128 yards in 2024) and Semaj Morgan (139) have played a lot, but still have to prove they can be productive starters in the Big Ten. They'll battle with some talented underclassmen, and someone needs to step up. 3. What does Chip Lindsey's offense look like, and how does it mesh with Sherrone Moore's desire to "smash!" Talk in the spring was how much everyone was involved in the passing game and spreading the wealth, with frosh quarterback Bryce Underwood one of the big surprises. They need better pass protection, though, and this line could be better suited to beat teams up front in the run game. Will it be closer to 50-50 run versus pass, and how much of that depends on Underwood's ability as a true freshman? 4. Are the corners good and mature enough to hold up against better passing offenses? This group was hit and miss last year, even when junior standout Will Johnson was healthy. It improved by year end thanks in part to grad transfer Aamir Hall's development and then-sophomore Jyaire Hill's improvement, but the defensive line added a huge assist with constant pressure up front. There was talk of going to the portal for help this spring, but there wasn't much available. Second - ary coach LaMar Morgan will have to coach his guys up — and find some depth. 5. Can Bryce Underwood do the job as a true freshman? The early enrollee is an elite talent — "the best true frosh quarterback we've ever had here," one longtime observer said — but it's a lot to ask of a first-year guy, espe- cially with question marks at O-line and receiver. There will be some mistakes, but if he can improve steadily through- out the year, the talent will eventually shine. Hopefully, it's sooner than later. Michigan's 24-man group of incoming freshmen was ranked No. 6 in the On3.com Industry Ranking. Here's our list of the most likely to see the field in 2025: 1. Quarterback Bryce Underwood Head coach Sherrone Moore wouldn't name a starting quarterback coming out of spring ball, but with Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene out (injury), Underwood made the most of an oppor - tunity. It will be surprising if he isn't the starter for the Aug. 30 opener with New Mexico after his impressive spring, during which his head coach praised the frosh for doing everything at an "elite level." He's the future — and the future might well be now. 2. Offensive tackle Andrew Babalola At 6-foot-6 and now more than 300 pounds, the man-child came on strong at the end of spring ball. Moore said he "expects" Babalola to compete for the left tackle spot and added he's "excited" about it. He's the man of the future at the position, but the future could be immediate for him, too. Even if he doesn't start right away, he should be in the two-deep. 3. Cornerback Shamari Earls Receivers coach Ron Bellamy singled Earls out, unsolicited, as a man to watch in the Michigan secondary, high praise for the 6-2, 203-pounder. The Virginia native impressed in bowl practices as an early enrollee, and he has since continued to improve. There should be a role for him at corner this fall, one that could expand by season's end. 4. Linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng The Maryland native "exceeded expectations," linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary said this spring, showing great explosiveness. Speed, in- telligence, fearlessness — he's got everything they look for in a linebacker. While there's solid veteran depth here, he should get some reps. He could be a valuable special teams piece in the early going, too. 5. Wide receiver Jamar Browder Long and lanky at 6-5, 208 pounds, Browder impressed this spring as an early enrollee with his size, hands, and catch radius. The Wolverines wanted to get talented length at the position, and he fits the bill. Though freshman receivers haven't generally put up big numbers at Michigan, he seems to have a good shot to see the field. All eyes will be on freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, the nation's No. 1 recruit, who emerged from spring practice as the likely starter heading into the 2025 season. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Top Five Question Marks Top Five True Freshman Candidates To Play Improved offensive line play will go a long way in de- termining Michigan's overall success this year. Junior Evan Link started 11 games last season (10 at right tackle) and will be competing for the job at left tackle in 2025. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL