Honestly, the energy around Ann Arbor right now is just... different. After a 2024 season that felt like a bridge between eras, the Michigan 2025 depth chart has finally crystallized into something that looks less like a "rebuild" and more like a "reload." Everyone's talking about the blue-chip talent coming in, but if you're just looking at the stars next to names, you’re missing the actual story of how Sherrone Moore is piecing this puzzle together.
It's about the fit.
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Most fans are fixated on the quarterback room. Can you blame them? But the real reason this roster might surprise people isn't just the arm talent; it's the weirdly deep veteran presence in the trenches that's protecting that talent. We’ve seen teams with five-star freshmen fail before because the "big uglies" upfront couldn't hold a block. Michigan is trying to avoid that trap.
The Bryce Underwood Era Begins (Sorta)
Let's address the elephant in the room. Bryce Underwood. He's the highest-rated recruit to ever walk into Schembechler Hall, and basically, the entire offensive identity is being rebuilt to suit his mobility.
But here’s what most people get wrong: they think it’s Bryce or bust. While Underwood is the projected starter, the battle behind him between Jadyn Davis and the veteran transfers like Mikey Keene is what actually gives this team its floor. If Bryce hits a freshman wall—which happens to the best of them—the staff is surprisingly confident in Davis’s growth.
Underwood is a freak of nature at 6-foot-4 and 220-plus pounds. He’s been compared to Vince Young. That’s a heavy tag to carry. Chip Lindsey, the offensive coordinator, isn't running the old "three yards and a cloud of dust" scheme anymore. We’re seeing more spread looks, more RPOs, and more vertical shots that actually use a quarterback's legs as a weapon, not just a last resort.
The "Two-Headed Monster" in the Backfield
You’ve probably heard people say the Michigan run game will take a step back. I don't buy it. Jordan Marshall is a certified stud. He put up nearly 1,000 yards as a freshman and he’s only gotten more explosive.
Pairing him with Justice Haynes (who some forget was a massive portal win) gives Michigan a 1A and 1B situation that is a nightmare for Big Ten linebackers. Marshall is the bruiser; Haynes is the home-run hitter. Then you’ve got guys like Micah Ka’apana and Bryson Kuzdzal waiting in the wings. It's a crowded room, but that’s a good problem.
- RB1: Justice Haynes / Jordan Marshall (Expect a 50/50 split)
- RB3: Micah Ka'apana
- The Sleeper: Jasper Parker
Reshuffling the Offensive Line
This is where things get a bit dicey. The Michigan 2025 depth chart took a hit when five-star freshman Andrew Babalola went down with an injury. Now, Evan Link has to hold down the blind side at left tackle.
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Link had his struggles last year, no use sugarcoating it. But the interior is solid. Giovanni El-Hadi is a captain for a reason. He’s the glue. Greg Crippen finally has the center spot locked down after years of waiting his turn.
- Left Tackle: Evan Link (Needs to show more lateral quickness)
- Left Guard: Giovanni El-Hadi (The veteran anchor)
- Center: Greg Crippen
- Right Guard: Brady Norton
- Right Tackle: Andrew Sprague
Why the Defense Might Actually Be Better
It sounds crazy to say a defense could be better after losing NFL talent, but Don "Wink" Martindale has a lot of toys to play with. Derrick Moore is a First Team All-Big Ten talent at EDGE. He’s the guy every offensive coordinator has to circle in red ink.
The linebacker corps is where the "speed" upgrade happened. Jaishawn Barham and Ernest Hausmann are playing like they’ve been in this system for a decade. They aren't just downhill thumpers; they can actually cover a slot receiver in a pinch.
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The Secondary Shuffle
Jyaire Hill has evolved from a "project" into a shutdown corner. Beside him, Zeke Berry is making a name for himself as a hybrid defender who can play the "nickel" or slide back to safety. The depth here is young—lots of freshmen like Shamari Earls and Jo'Ziah Edmond—but the ceiling is astronomically higher than it was two years ago.
Defensive Line Rotation
- DT: Rayshaun Benny (The run stuffer)
- DT: Tré Williams
- EDGE: Derrick Moore / TJ Guy
- Depth: Enow Etta is the name everyone is whispering about in camp. He’s huge, fast, and plays with a mean streak.
The "H-Back" Factor
Max Bredeson is still here. Thank goodness. In an era of flashy receivers, Bredeson is the guy who does the dirty work. He’s listed as a Tight End/Fullback, but he’s basically an extra offensive lineman who occasionally catches a touchdown and ruins a linebacker's Saturday. Marlin Klein is the "true" tight end threat, and the staff thinks he’s an NFL-bound vertical threat.
Real Talk: The Schedule isn't Kind
Michigan starts with New Mexico, which is a nice warmup for Bryce. But then they go to Norman to face Oklahoma. That’s a hostile environment for a freshman QB. They also have to travel to USC and Nebraska.
The late-season stretch is brutal. Maryland, then "The Game" against Ohio State at home. The Michigan 2025 depth chart will be tested by attrition. If the injury bug hits the offensive line, it could get ugly fast. But if they stay healthy? This is a 10-win team.
Practical Insights for the 2025 Season
If you're watching Michigan this year, keep your eyes on these three specific developments to see if the season is going to be a success or a struggle:
- The 3rd Down Conversion Rate: Last year, they hovered around 50th nationally. With Underwood, that needs to be Top 20. If they can’t stay on the field, the defense will tire out by the fourth quarter.
- Red Zone Efficiency: Look at how many times they settle for Dominic Zvada field goals versus touchdowns. Zvada is great, but you don't beat Ohio State with three-pointers.
- The Rotation at WR: Watch how quickly Andrew Marsh gets onto the field. He’s a freshman, but he’s already pushing veterans like Fred Moore and Donaven McCulley for snaps.
Basically, the 2025 Wolverines are a high-risk, high-reward experiment. They’ve moved away from the "Ground and Pound" identity into something more modern. It might take a few weeks to click, but the raw talent on this depth chart is some of the best we've seen in Ann Arbor in the modern era.
Keep an eye on the transfer portal window after spring ball. Any additions to the tackle depth will tell you exactly how the coaches feel about Evan Link's progress. For now, the roster is set, and the Bryce Underwood era is officially live.