There are many who count Michigan football out due to what happened last year. The Wolverines, fresh off a national championship, got some offseason publicity, but the coaching and personnel changes were perhaps too much to overcome.
Still, the maize and blue, despite going 8-5 in 2024, had a successful season, thanks to beating USC, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Alabama.
Now, all eyes are on the 2025 season, and not many are giving the Wolverines much of a chance to rebound, despite the strong finish. But in Lindy’s national college football preview magazine, an anonymous source (likely a coach) noted in the scouting report that the Wolverines perhaps were still a difficult team to face.
“Yeah, Michigan was still mostly a tough out, and this year’s no different,” the anonymous source told Lindy’s. “Look, last year was kind of a weird season for them. Sherrone Moore was thrown into the fire. That was a tough spot. Now, there’s the self-imposed suspension thing. But, honestly, he did a solid job all things considered. They were a little beat up, depth was tested.”
Two players singled out
The source was very high on one of the Wolverines’ transfer portal additions, noting that with Justice Haynes joining the running backs room, he should pair well with sophomore Jordan Marshall in the backfield.
“Bringing in Justice Haynes from Bama. I gotta say — that kid can go,” the source said. “Perfect fit for what Michigan wants to do on offense. He’s got that one-cut-and-go style. Sherrone has already said he sees some Blake Corum comparison. Gotta get him 250 touches.”
On the defensive side of the ball, despite Zeke Berry returning after a solid go at the boundary late last year, the player that the source has his eyes on is the person who will be playing on the opposite side of the field.
“Jyaire Hill — he’s a name to know,” the source said. “Long, physical, tracks the ball well. He could declare early with a big year.”
Our thoughts
With the schedule that Michigan has — with only one top team from a year ago being on it (Ohio State) — the Wolverines have a better opportunity than many might think. The only thing is that the Wolverines don’t have two home games in a row this year. So, it will be incumbent upon the maize and blue to find their groove on the road.
Lindy’s is high on several Wolverines in their position rankings — RB Justice Haynes, DT Rayshaun Benny, and S Rod Moore are among their All-America or all-conference teams. But we think that the entirety of the Michigan front seven should be getting more love, as there’s some confidence brimming from Schembechler Hall about how good the DL and LBs might be.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Why this anonymous coach is high on Michigan football in 2025
Reporting by Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire / Wolverines Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
