By: Lucas Delgado
January 29, 2025
Photo Credit: USA Today
Sherrone Moore’s first season as Michigan’s head coach ended on a high note with a gritty 13-10 win over #2 Ohio State in Columbus and a 19-13 win over #11 Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl to finish 8-5. The defense and run game were marked as major points to the Wolverines’ game, and, after initial growing pains, those areas hit their stride throughout the season. However, many contributors to this late season turnaround are declaring for the NFL draft including (but not limited to) running backs Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards, star tight end Colston Loveland, standout defensive tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, edge rusher Josiah Stewart, and star cornerback Will Johnson, meaning both sides of Michigan Football are in for a new look as a new season approaches.
The team has made waves in recruiting, landing #1 QB Bryce Underwood and 5 star tackle Andrew Babalola as headliners of a top 10 class in the country. Now, the team has turned to the transfer portal, looking to supplement their talented young core with a new veteran presence.
Offense
Alabama RB Justice Haynes is the Wolverine’s most noteworthy offensive addition. Haynes was touted as the top running back in the portal this season, putting up 79 carries for 448 yards and 7 TDs with the Crimson Tide. He’ll pair up with Jordan Marshall, who had a breakout 100 yard performance against Haynes’ former team in the Reliaquest Bowl. Michigan’s system prides itself on having multiple solid running backs who can open the field of play, and with Mullings and Edwards gone, Haynes and Marshall fill the backfield gap as a one-two punch who excel in fighting for yards after contact.
Fresno State QB Mikey Keene is another major addition, coming off a season where he threw for 2,892 yards with a 70.5 completion percentage , 18 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions . This past season was a complicated one at QB for the Wolverines, and Keene’s veteran presence should stabilize the room while offering competition for Underwood and redshirt freshman Jadyn Davis for the starting job this season.
Other additions focused on expanding the receiving game through Indiana’s Donaven McCulley and Massachusetts’ Anthony Simpson, as well as adding depth to the offensive line via Cal Poly guard Brady Norton.
Defense
Clemson’s Tré Williams and Alabama’s Damon Payne will look to fill the shoes of Graham and Grant. Williams recorded 14 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries this season, while Payne recorded 14 tackles with a fumble recovery. The Wolverines defense is predicated on relentless pressure at the opposing quarterback, which is what Williams and Payne are being tasked with doing.
Assisting these two will be Georgia LB Troy Bowles. He didn’t see a great deal of playing time for the Bulldogs, but has shown the ability to supplement the rush while also being solid in coverage.
Michigan’s secondary is also set to get a boost from two brothers, Arkansas Safeties TJ and Tevis Metcalf. Tevis saw limited field time in his freshman year, but TJ was a standout. The sophomore recorded 56 tackles, a forced fumble, and 3 interceptions. With the uncertainty in Michigan’s secondary, Tevis and TJ Metcalf look to provide some stability to this lineup, supporting a core of Zeke Berry, Jyaire Hill, and a potentially returning Rod Moore.
Summary
2024 set the foundation for Coach Moore’s program, and finding established talent to fill the gaps due to the draft and support an elite high school recruit class was a necessary step. This seems to be what they’ve done in the transfer portal; they’ve picked up a veteran QB, a top level RB, added depth at WR and O-line, and filled gaps on each layer of the defensive side of the ball. With very early preseason polling projecting Michigan to start next season in the top 25, it’ll be interesting to see how Team 146’s new influx of talent lives up to the label of playoff contenders.
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