Key pieces to Michigan winning it all in 2025

Larkdight Studios Kansas Jayhawks' Championship Chase Series (2025) August 1, 2025 1:00PM CST

The Michigan Wolverines had a bit of step back last season, going 8-5 in HC Sherrone Moore’s first season since taking over a lot of pieces of the ’23 Championship team departed such as HC Jim Harbaugh, DC Jesse Minter, QB JJ McCarthy, RB Blake Corum, WR Roman Wilson, OG Zak Zinter, DT Kris Jenkins, LB Junior Colson, and CB Mike Sainristil. But Coach Moore and the Wolverines did land a huge commitment out of highly sought after QB Bryce Underwood, beat Ohio State and Alabama last season, finished on a 3-game win streak, and landed the #6 recruitment class. So, the future looks bright for this program. A lot of people believe that they have the capability of going all the way immediately. I also share that belief, so that is why I am taking over the Michigan Wolverines in 2025 and chasing after a National Championship in my second-ever Championship Chase series.

If I am going to do this, it is going to come down to five key pieces and those are:

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1. FRESHMAN QB BRYCE UNDERWOOD

   1. So much hype has surrounded the recruitment of one of the most talented high school prospects we’ve ever seen and he’s instantly getting the nod at leading the Wolverines in 2025. Can a freshman QB lead Michigan all the way to capturing their second College Football National Championship in three years? We will find out.

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2. TRANSFER RB JUSTICE HAYNES

   1. Michigan is known for running the ball, so after losing Blake Corum, Donovan Edwards, and Kalil Mullins in the last two seasons it was crucial to go out and hit the transfer portal to find the perfect guy and he was in Alabama. A lot is going to be expected out of the run game, but Haynes is no stranger to expectations and looks forward to pursuing a championship here in Ann Arbor.

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3. OFFENSIVE LINEMAN CORE (T EVAN LINK, G GIOVANNI EL-HADI, + C GREG CRIPPEN)

   1. You win games at the line of scrimmage and Michigan knows how to play hard-nosed football. It starts with the boys up front in the pass game, keeping Freshman QB Underwood upright, while also providing huge holes for RB Haynes to exploit. Look for guys like T Evan Link (Jr), G Giovanni El-Hadi (Sr), and C Greg Crippen (Sr) to spearhead the offensive line.

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4. DEFENSIVE LINEMAN CORE (DT DAMON PAYNE JR, ED DERRICK MOORE, + ED TJ GUY)

   1. As important as the offensive line is to the offense, Michigan knows how to build defensive lines. Ever heard of Aidan Hutchinson, Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Mazi Smith, David Ojabo, or Rashan Gary? Exactly. Look for senior leadership and production in this pursuit for a National Championship from ED Derrick Moore, ED TJ Guy, DT Damon Payne Jr, and DT Rayshaun Benny.

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5. HC SHERRONE MOORE

   1. Last, but certainly the most important, will be whether or not HC Sherrone Moore has what it takes to lead the Wolverines all the way. He was a big part of the National Championship team under HC Jim Harbaugh, so let’s see if he can follow suit and lead the Wolverines back to the top of College Football in 2025.