The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 27 beled 1A and 1B by Moore heading into fall camp. They're similar backs, though Marshall is seen more as the between- the-tackles guy, while Haynes can bounce it to the outside, according to some. "The best thing about that room is Jordan and Justice. They're one-two right now, but they better not fall off the cap because they've got guys pushing them," Moore said. "That's what makes rooms great when you do that." There's a huge drop-off, though, be- tween these two and No. 3, whomever that may be. Sophomore Micah Ka'apana, former walk-on and spring game stand- out Bryson Kuzdzal and freshman Jasper Parker are in the mix there. OFFENSIVE LINEMEN Last year, the offensive line was re- ferred to as one of the camp's pleas- ant surprises at this point. However, it didn't work out that well and was a disappointment for much of the season. Given all that, it's fair to say there's a lot to prove. "We realized we weren't good enough last year as a team, and as the offen- sive line, you have to lead the team," line coach Grant Newsome said. "That's the expectation here. That's the way it's been … you can either view it as a chal- lenge and shy away from it, or you can view it as an opportunity. "They've really embraced that, and I'm excited to see them continue to do that work. Obviously, we're no- where near where we need to be yet, but the jump they've made has been tremendous." There are position battles at left tackle and right guard, specifically, but we ex- pect an initial lineup of junior Evan Link at left tackle, grad student Giovanni El- Hadi at left guard, grad student Greg Crippen at center, junior Nathan Efobi at right guard and sophomore Andrew Sprague at right tackle. Sophomore Jake Guarnera is pushing at center and right guard. Freshman Andrew Babalola went down with a knee injury so sophomore Blake Frazier is next up at either tackle. WIDE RECEIVERS Indiana transfer Donaven McCulley seems to be the playmaker here, a big and talented receiver with nice athletic ability. Beyond that, though, are a lot of unknowns. Junior Fredrick Moore showed what he could do in the Relia- Quest Bowl with 3 catches, including a back shoulder touchdown — can he be the deep threat the Wolverines are look- ing for? Junior Semaj Morgan has more to give, too, and he believes the room is going to be more than fine. "I feel like our receiver room is the best it's been since I've been here," he said. "We got Donaven McCulley, me, Fred Moore, Kendrick Bell, [graduate] Peyton O'Leary — those are some of our older guys." There are freshmen, too, and second- year guys waiting their turn. Freshman Andrew Marsh has turned some heads. "Those guys are doing phenomenal right now," Morgan said. "They all look way ahead of the game." TIGHT ENDS Junior Colston Loveland was one of the nation's best last year, and now it's up to senior Marlin Klein and Co. to step it up. Sophomore Hogan Hansen missed spring and a good portion of summer with an upper body injury, but he's on the road to recovery and might be the best pass catcher in the room. "I think he's going to be a really good player for us," Moore said. "I think Mar- lin has taken really huge steps. Obvi- ously, Max Bredeson … he's a little bit different breed [more a blocker], but he's still a tight end. "We'll see how Hogan progresses through fall camp and what he does, and we'll keep working on that piece, but I'm excited about the room." Another name to watch — junior Deakon Tonielli. "He keeps showing up and might have as fluid his ball skills as any of them," Moore said. "He's really taking the next steps of a guy in his third year and ready to take that next step to be a player … we're getting there with him. So, I think the room's going to be really good." ❑ At A Glance TOP THREE STORYLINES 1. Will Bryce Underwood Start From Day 1, And How Will He Fare? The answer to No. 1 seems like an obvious 'yes,' though head coach Sherrone Moore said he wouldn't name a starter until game week. By all accounts, Underwood has been very impressive at times, albeit with some growing pains … but we (and everyone else) can't wait to see what he does. 2. Will The Offensive Line Be Good Enough? The offense goes as they go, and there are still a lot of question marks here. There is some good young talent, but the veterans need to take a significant leap this year to lead the way. We might see the coaches tinker with a few different combos in the opener against New Mexico. 3. Are There Enough Pass Catchers? Tight end Colston Loveland was an elite go-to guy last year, but there doesn't seem to be that level player on the team this year. Indiana transfer Donaven McCulley seems the best bet among the receivers, while sophomore Hogan Hansen — if he heals — could be a weapon among the tight ends. TOP THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH 1. RB Jordan Marshall — The sophomore ran for 100 yards in the ReliaQuest Bowl win over Alabama and was the game MVP. Some have compared him to Blake Corum in the way he runs and handles his business. 2. OG Giovanni El-Hadi — He had a disappointing senior year, but he's moved back to left guard and has as much potential as any guard in the Big Ten. Michigan needs him to be really good in his graduate season. 3. WR Donaven McCulley — The Indiana transfer is U-M's most talented pass catcher and has had a nice camp. He earned the coveted No. 1 jersey this spring and has the size and catch radius to be a significant weapon in the passing game. NEWCOMER TO WATCH QB Bryce Underwood — The obvious, and only, choice. The 6-foot-4, 228-pounder will likely take the reins from the opener and run with it. He has both the arm talent and the legs to be a factor in his first year. — Chris Balas