The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1538670
SEPTEMBER 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 41 and transferred to Michigan State last offsea- son, where he played 14 games on special teams. COLE CABANA RB ★★★★ Battled injuries during his first two years at Michigan before transferring to Western Michigan this offseason. CAMERON CALHOUN CB ★★★ Transferred to Utah in 2024 after two ap- pearances during his freshman season. NATHAN EFOBI OL ★★★ Competing for the starting right guard job this fall after making six appearances during the 2024 season. KARMELLO ENGLISH WR ★★★★ The Phenix City, Ala., native left U-M for West Georgia — which competes in the FCS — last summer. ENOW ETTA DT ★★★★ Moved from edge to the interior of the de- fensive line in 2024 and is in the mix to enter the rotation at tackle this year. Has made 13 game appearances in his U-M career. BENJAMIN HALL RB ★★★ Appeared in 11 games across two years at Michigan with 44 rushes for 141 yards before transferring to North Carolina this spring. AMIR HERRING OL ★★★★ Made one appearance at U-M before trans- ferring to Kansas. Did not see game action last season. JASON HEWLETT LB ★★★ Appeared in nine games in 2024 and trans- ferred to Boston College this offseason. JYAIRE HILL CB ★★★★ Has appeared in 16 games with nine starts at cornerback, making 35 tackles with 5.5 for loss and 1 sack along with 9 pass breakups and an interception in 2024. BRANDYN HILLMAN S ★★★★ Appeared in nine games his freshman sea- son and 12 in 2024, making 21 tackles with 1.5 for loss, 1 sack and 2 passes defended last season. BREEON ISHMAIL EDGE ★★★ Played in eight games in 2024 before trans- ferring to Purdue this offseason. AYMERIC KOUMBA EDGE ★★★ Appeared in two contests in two years and transferred to Central Florida this offseason. EVAN LINK OL ★★★★ Made 11 starts in 13 games (10 at right tackle, one at left) in 2024 after not seeing any game action his freshman year. Compet- ing for starting left tackle spot in 2025. ZACK MARSHALL TE ★★★ Logged snaps in two games in 2023 before 13 appearances in 2024, making 1 tackle on special teams. FREDRICK MOORE WR ★★★ Has appeared in 26 career games with three starts, and totaled 15 career receptions for 160 yards and a touchdown. HAYDEN MOORE LB ★★★ Moore failed to see the field his freshman year and transferred to Washington. SEMAJ MORGAN WR ★★★ A two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten selection as a return specialist, Morgan has played in 27 games at wide receiver with four starting assignments. He was named the team's Rookie of the Year during the 2023 national championship season. TREY PIERCE DT ★★★ Made 26 appearances as a reserve in his first two years at U-M, starting his first career game in the ReliaQuest Bowl win over Alabama in 2024. Finished with 7 tackles last season. ADAM SAMAHA K ★★★ Made an extra point against Indiana in his lone appearance as a freshman, but did not see game action in 2024 and transferred to North Carolina after the season. DEAKON TONIELLI TE ★★★★ Didn't see game action in his first two sea- sons at Michigan. DJ WALLER JR. CB ★★★ Played 11 games his freshman year before transferring to Kentucky, playing seven con- tests with four starts in 2024. ❑ TOP CONTRIBUTOR TO DATE WR Semaj Morgan Morgan carved out a role on a loaded 2023 team and followed it up by leading his position group in receptions (27) last season. He has 45 career receptions for 338 yards and 3 receiving touchdowns (plus 2 rushing scores). Morgan also has been an honorable all-conference per- former as a kick and punt returner during the last two seasons in Ann Arbor. UNSUNG HERO S Brandyn Hillman U-M heads into the 2025 campaign with a loaded defensive backfield that gives them plenty of options, but often lost in the conversation is Hillman, the hard-hitting safety who came into his own last season. He has the ability to affect the defense as either a safety or nickel prospect, and his thunderous hits have become the norm on his highlight tape through two seasons. READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT THIS FALL EDGE Cameron Brandt The pass rush rotation always has room for several contributors, and Brandt has been tabbed as a "third starter" by his coaches heading into the year. He will be next in line for reps behind Derrick Moore and TJ Guy, and he has earned the trust of the staff, priming him for a breakout role in 2025 and potentially leading the group in 2026. Wide receiver Semaj Morgan (0) and offensive lineman Evan Link (71) both earned starting assignments as underclassmen and will look to increase their contributions to the team even more this fall. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL