The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543845
APRIL 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 19 caught a pass and picked up a third-down conversion — so he didn't participate in testing or drills at the combine. However, he could be the perfect fit for a team that needs a fullback, and it's not as if heavy personnel groupings are going anywhere. The Los Angeles Rams, for example, fa- mously used a lot of 13 personnel (three tight ends) last season. "I always took pride in just doing what I was asked, doing what the team needed," Bredeson, a two-time captain, said of his mindset in Ann Arbor. "One of the big- gest jobs of the fullback is just doing what the team needs. I was always trying to be a guy that someone else could count on, and I think over time, the Michigan fan base grew to enjoy that." MARLIN KLEIN Pos.: Tight end Ht./Wt.: 6-6 • 248 Arm: 32 3/8'' Hand: 9 1/4'' The Cologne, Germany, native ran a 4.61-second 40-yard dash that ranked seventh at his position. Klein had a 36- inch vertical and broad jump of 9 feet, 9 inches, while clocking 7.42 seconds in the three-cone drill. "I think he's going to be an even better pro than he was in college," Jeremiah said. "You see the big frame there. He can be that in-line, Y tight end." A team captain, Klein believes he's NFL-ready after four seasons at Michigan. "I was asked to do everything," Klein said of the 2025 season. "We had a pretty young offense. I had to sometimes tell the receivers, the QB, the running backs, the O-line what to do, because they're younger guys, but I think that's why I was chosen to be a leader at the University of Michigan. I was chosen to be a team cap- tain to lead those guys during good and bad times. "How did it prepare me? I've played at every position. I've lined up outside, I've lined up in-line, off the ball. I've caught passes, I've blocked, I've pass-protected. I've done everything." DONAVEN McCULLEY Pos.: Wide receiver Ht./Wt.: 6-4 ½ • 203 Arm: 32 5/8'' Hand: 10 1/4'' The Indiana transfer who spent his final collegiate season at Michigan didn't go through testing but participated in indi- vidual drills. "Big, tough wideout with modest pro- duction and average tools," NFL analyst Lance Zierlein said about him. "McCulley has adequate foot quickness and athleti- cism. However, he will need to prove he can beat tight man pressure because he's not a natural separator and rarely runs by cornerbacks on vertical routes. He works back on throws when needed and uses his frame/hand extension to help him pro- tect the catch-point. His performance in the catch phase is a plus, but getting there won't be easy for him against NFL cornerbacks." DERRICK MOORE Pos.: Edge Ht./Wt.: 6-4 • 255 Arm: 33 3/8'' Hand: 9 1/8'' Missing combine drills and testing due to a hamstring injury, Moore wasn't able to follow up his impressive week at the Senior Bowl by generating more buzz, but he's a projected second-round selection and perhaps the next defensive lineman to be a high pick in the draft. "That program did a lot for me as a ball player and also as a person," the 2025 team captain told NBC. After spending four seasons in a Michi- gan defense coordinated by current (Jesse Minter) or former (Wink Martindale) NFL coaches, Moore is prepared to "slow the game down" at the next level, ahead of some of his peers. "I feel like it gives me a big advantage to just go out there and just play all across the line and show my versatility," he noted. JIMMY ROLDER Pos.: Linebacker Ht./Wt.: 6-2 ½ • 238 Arm: 30 1/2'' Hand: 9 3/4'' Rolder had a 36-inch vertical and 9-foot, 11-inch broad jump, while his 7-second three-cone drill ranked third at his position and 4.26-second 20-yard shuttle checked in fourth. A backup for three seasons, also dealing with injuries, Rolder broke out and became U-M's lead- ing tackler with 73 stops last season. "He's got a little thump to him," Jer- emiah said. "He's not afraid to take on blocks. I wrote down in my notes on him that he's like Evel Knievel. This guy just runs at anything that moves." DOMINIC ZVADA Pos.: Kicker Ht./Wt.: 6-3 • 178 Arm: 31 3/4'' Hand: 9 1/8'' After two seasons at Arkansas State and two at Michigan, Zvada is ready for the NFL. He met with teams and worked out but, like most kickers, didn't run a 40-yard dash or participate in testing. The Chandler, Ariz., native was nearly perfect in 2024, going 21-of-22 on field goals, before an up-and-down cam- paign in 2025, when he con- nected on 17 of his 25 kicks. However, his game-winning walk-off versus Northwestern at Wrigley Field was one to re- member, and showed he was capable of stepping up in the big moments. "I kicked well at times," Zvada said. "When I re- ally needed to make the kick when it mattered the most, I was able to step up and make it. That's what I prided my- self on." ❏ Derrick Moore, who led U-M with 10 sacks in 2025, did not participate in the combine because of a hamstring injury but is projected as a second-round pick in the NFL Draft. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL