The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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10 THE WOLVERINE ❱ OCTOBER 2025 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS With sports science evolving, U-M's athletics department will also have ac- cess to the new institution. It adds an- other layer to the benefits of attending the university as a prospective student- athlete. "I am pleased that our athletes and teams will have access to this revolu- tionary new facility, and that the atten- tion they receive while competing will continue to be the best sports medicine care in the world," U-M athletics di- rector Warde Manuel said after the an- nouncement. "We also appreciate Nate and Catherine's continued support for helping us provide first-class programs for Michigan's student-athletes." The institute will bring together clin- ical services, including the departments of physical medicine and rehabilitation, orthopaedic surgery, radiology and an- esthesiology. "There is no more exciting time in sports medicine than here and now at the University of Michigan," said Dr. Asheesh Bedi, the executive director and chief of sports medicine at Michi- gan Medicine and the head orthopae- dic team physician for U-M Athletics. "Faculty, staff, leadership, and other stakeholders have recognized our im- mense potential to impact the field and change people's lives for the better. This institute will have an incredible impact for patients. The Nathan and Catherine Forbes Sports Medicine Institute will be among the top echelon of sports medi- cine programs in the country." ❑ Bryce Underwood Is Even Better Than Hoped By Chris Balas We knew Michigan freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood was good, but we're always careful when people throw out the words "elite" and "generational" with first-year guys. It takes time to learn the playbook, the speed of the game is different, athletes are better, etc., etc. But Underwood talked the talk when he said, "Nobody's seen a freshman like me," and he's backed it up (and then some). He strug- gled at Oklahoma when his offensive line and game plan left a lot to be desired, but he is already the best true freshman signal-caller we've ever seen here. Chad Henne might have an argument, but he was surrounded by outstanding talent up front and at the skill positions. Underwood hasn't had that luxury, but he threw for 628 yards and 2 touchdowns in the first three games, and then added 114 on the ground when the coaches turned him loose. In short, Underwood has the IQ, physical skills and intangibles to be one of college foot- ball's all-time greats. His accuracy, etc., have been way beyond his years, and we can't wait to see what he does next. Justice Haynes' Emergence As An Elite Back By Clayton Sayfie Junior Justice Haynes was a stud at Alabama for two seasons, but he's turned into a potentially special running back, one of the best in the nation. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound Buford, Ga., native made one heck of a statement in nonconference play. After three weeks, he ranked fifth in the nation with 388 rushing yards, and tied for sixth with 5 touchdown runs. The Wolverines didn't overload him with a heavy workload, either. Among the rushers in the country with 325 or more yards, Haynes had the second-fewest attempts (49), behind only top-ranked Robert Henry Jr. out of UTSA (47). At 7.9 yards per carry, Haynes checks in third out of the country's top 10 leaders in total rushing yards through Sept. 14. Coming into the year, head coach Sherrone Moore said sophomore Jordan Marshall and Haynes would be "1A and 1B," and it wasn't difficult to believe it. Marshall was coming off a 100-yard performance against Alabama, and Michigan rotated two backs last season. But Haynes has put himself in a higher class — at least so far — and proven to be the team's clear-cut top option, with Marshall a more than capable change of pace. ❱ POINT ❙ COUNTERPOINT ❰ WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MICHIGAN FOOTBALL SURPRISE OF THE NONCONFERENCE SLATE? HAYNES UNDERWOOD Spread the Word! Help Us Grow! For details, visit TheWolverineOnDemand.com/referrals NEW REFERRAL PROGRAM