The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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42 THE WOLVERINE ❱ SEPTEMBER 2025 BY CLAYTON SAYFIE M i c h i ga n 's 2 024 re c r u i t - ing class still has 24 of its original 26 members in the program, and many are pushing for sig- nificant playing time after getting ac- climated to the college level last season. Four Wolverines burned their redshirts as freshmen last season — linebacker Cole Sullivan (11 games), tight end Hogan Hansen (9), safety Mason Curtis (8) and cornerback Jo'Ziah Edmond (7) — and 13 others saw game action. Now, those and others in this haul carry an even heavier responsibility to help the Wolverines return to champi- onship-level football in 2025. Recruiting Name Pos. Stars DEVON BAXTER EDGE HHHH The 6-foot-6, 247-pounder didn't see game action as a freshman. JEREMIAH BEASLEY LB HHH Left the Michigan program after his first spring and transferred to Missouri, where he saw time in 12 outings, registering 8 tackles in 2024. MANUEL BEIGEL DT HHH Played in one game on defense, making his career debut against Arkansas State. The Athletic's Bruce Feldman recently ranked Beigel at No. 62 on his annual "college foot- ball freaks" list, which cited his "rare traits in both movement and strength and power." MASON CURTIS LB HHHH The 6-foot-5, 211-pounder appeared in nine games, including five as a safety, last season. He recorded 8 tackles, including 1 behind the line of scrimmage, and nabbed his first career interception in a victory over Northwestern. He was Michigan's Rookie of the Year on Defense. JADYN DAVIS QB HHHH Logged 1 offensive snap — a handoff for a touchdown versus Northwestern — as a freshman. JO'ZIAH EDMOND CB HHHH The Indianapolis native saw time in eight games, making 2 tackles, in 2024. He's push- ing for playing time at cornerback this fall camp. STEPPING UP Michigan's 2024 Class Is Ready To Impact 2024 CLASS REVIEW TOP CONTRIBUTOR TO DATE RB Jordan Marshall The 2024 winner of Ohio Mr. Football was injured most of his freshman season, but his breakout, 100-yard performance to lead the Wolverines to a 19-13 victory over Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl makes him the top contributor so far. UNSUNG HERO DB Mason Curtis The 6-foot-5 Curtis was Michigan's first commit in the 2024 recruiting class, listed as a linebacker at that point. Since arriving in Ann Arbor, the former low-four-star recruit has taken practice reps at linebacker, edge rusher, wide receiver and defensive back. He's stuck as a safety and may even play nickel this season. The Nashville, Tenn., native is a "tackling machine," according to coaches, having made 8 stops with 1 for loss and 1 interception in nine games as a freshman. READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT THIS FALL OL Andrew Sprague Sprague took over Michigan's right tackle spot in the ReliaQuest Bowl and fared well, showing enough promise that he's now the projected starter ahead of the 2025 campaign. Having preserved his redshirt by playing in only four games last season, Sprague has four years of eligibility remaining, and there's a lot of excitement for the impact he'll have mov- ing forward on the offensive line. Tight end Hogan Hansen played in 10 contests and hauled in 7 passes for 78 yards a year ago. He missed the spring game with an injury, but he's expected to play a big role when healthy this fall. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL