Wide Receiver
In 2024, Michigan had perhaps the worst wide receiver production in the country. Many of those receivers, including Semaj Morgan, Fredrick Moore, and Peyton O’Leary are returning to Michigan for the 2025 season.
The Wolverines added Donaven McCulley and Anthony Simpson in the transfer portal. McCulley caught 644 yards and 6 TDs in 2023 before playing in only 4 games in 2024. Simpson caught 792 yards and 3 TDs in 2023 before playing in only 2 games in 2024.
Can Michigan get production from its incoming freshmen? Andrew Marsh and Jacob Washington were both rated in the top 200 on the 247 Sports’ Composite Rankings.
Michigan wide receivers produced only 752 receiving yards in 2024. Yes, you read that correctly. This position group needs to find itself again in 2025.
Tight End
Colston Loveland left Michigan in the offseason as a 1st-round pick in the NFL Draft. Loveland caught 582 yards and 5 TDs in 2024. 582 yards was more than Michigan’s 2nd, 3rd, and 4th leading receivers combined.
The Wolverines’ top three projected tight ends heading into 2025 are Marlin Klein, Hogan Hansen, and Brady Prieskorn. These three players combine for just 194 career receiving yards.
Loveland was uber-productive for Michigan for two straight seasons, and the Wolverines’ offense seemingly evolves around a great tight end. Klein, Hansen, and Prieskorn are filling some big shoes, but they should be catching passes from an improved quarterback position in 2025.
Quarterback
Recent reports from On3 and 247 Sports have surfaced, indicating that Bryce Underwood has emerged as the clear QB1 for Michigan. The Michigan staff had brought in veteran starter Mikey Keene to push Underwood in practice. Keene has thrown for 8,245 yards, 65 TDs, and 28 INTs in his career.
So what does a good season for the star-studded true freshman look like? After Michigan quarterbacks produced 1,678 yards, 12 TDs, and 13 INTs in 2024, the coaching staff will surely appreciate anything that improves on those numbers.
In recent years, true freshmen of Underwood’s caliber have varied in performance. In 2019, Bo Nix threw for 2,542 yards, 16 TDs, and 6 INTs. In 2021, Caleb Williams played in 11 games and threw for 1,912 yards, 21 TDs, and 4 INTs. In 2018, Trevor Lawrence threw for 3,280 yards, 30 TDs, and 4 INTs. In 2024, Dylan Raiola threw for 2,819 yards, 13 TDs, and 11 INTs.
For Underwood, his numbers will likely appear more pedestrian, given his apparent lack of weapons. Projections from analysts around the country range from 2,800 to 3,500 yards. These are astronomically high expectations given the personnel at receiver and tight end. A season that produces >2,000 yards and <10 INTs would be great for Underwood’s freshman season.
Bounce Back Season?
After three seasons of 12-2, 13-1, and 15-0, the Wolverines finished 8-5 in 2024. They finished 5-4 in Big Ten conference play.
On the schedule in 2025, Michigan avoids the projected 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th ranked teams in the Big Ten according to ESPN. Michigan faces only four teams ranked inside ESPN’s Preseason Top 25 Football Power Index. This is the perfect schedule for Bryce Underwood to face in his first season.
Can Michigan bounce back to 10-2 to get into college football playoff contention?
