Michigan spring game: Game balls, honorable mentions from Saturday's scrimmage

The Michigan Wolverines held their annual spring game on Saturday afternoon in Ann Arbor, a 17-0 victory, and a trip to Texas de Brazil for steaks for the Blue squad over the Maize.

There were a handful of standout performances from the split-squad exhibition in Ann Arbor. The Wolverine’s staff of Chris Balas, Anthony Broome and Clayton Sayfie weighed in after the fact with their game ball picks from both squads.

RELATED:
• Michigan football: Final spring game stats – big games for running backs
• Twenty-five takeaways from the 2025 Michigan football spring game

Chris Balas: TE/FB Jalen Hoffman

Jalen Hoffman, often mentioned as the understudy for captain Max Bredeson, was a revelation in Saturday’s game. He finished the day with 7 catches for 148 yards, 88 coming on the game’s final play on a trick play that resulted in a long touchdown from freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood. Hoffman has always been considered more of a fullback, but changed his body this offseason and looks to have positioned himself for a pass-catching role in the tight end room. He and Underwood already have a connection, and we may have gotten an early glimpse at a potential safety-valve option for the young signal-caller.

There are always caveats when it comes to spring game performances. One may be that Hoffman was the Blue team’s only tight end. The format lends itself to some folk heroes who do not always flash after the fact. But Hoffman has been a burgeoning name behind the scenes for a few years. What he did this spring may have positioned him as a player to watch heading into fall camp.

Anthony Broome: QB Bryce Underwood

Some may be quick to jump on the stat line (12-for-27, 187 yards, TD, INT, fumble) as disappointing in the phenom’s debut, but we saw everything we wanted to see from Underwood on Saturday. There was a level of competence and playmaking ability that nobody at quarterback displayed last year, and he is able to effortlessly flick the ball down the field. He has plenty to hone in, whether it be deep ball accuracy, touch and other intangible traits, but he has the dual-threat skillset that will play when games hit this fall.

Michigan has billed its quarterback situation as a battle that will go into the fall. And yes, we do expect them to give Mikey Keene a fair shake at the position when he is healthy. But what Underwood does will play, and with the benefit of a starting offensive line – and trust us, there is still plenty of work to do – and the No. 1 set of backs and receivers around him, there should be a solid-enough infrastructure around him to be this team’s opening day starter.

Clayton Sayfie: RBs Bryson Kuzdzal and Micah Ka’apana

Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall are the team’s starting running backs, but an interesting competition played out on Saturday with both Maize’s Bryson Kuzdzal (14 carries, 105 yards) and Blue’s Micah Ka’apana (15 carries, 39 yards). With Ben Hall’s departure to the transfer portal, the spring game provided an opportunity for each to stake their claim in the battle for No. 3 running back reps. They will have competition for those spots come fall camp, especially with Saturday’s addition of CJ Hester out of the transfer portal. But both had solid moments throughout and will be worth keeping an eye on in the leadup to the regular season.

Michigan honorable mentions

RBs Justice Haynes (6 carries, 51 yards) and Jordan Marshall (4 carries, 9 yards): Neither played much in the spring game due to their status at the top of the depth chart, but both look the part as the two guys who can lead the run game this fall. Haynes in particular stood out, headlined by a 26-yard run up the left sideline in the early going.

DB Jeremiah Lowe (2 INT): Michigan is waiting for more guys to step up at cornerback, and Lowe staked his claim in the position battle with two interceptions of Jadyn Davis, both in the second half. His first came when he jumped a route along the left sideline early in the second half, which showed off good instincts and film study on his part.

DB Tevis Metcalf (INT): His brother, safety TJ Metcalf, has often been named as a larger contributor this fall, but Tevis came down with an interception on a throw from Underwood, where there was a miscommunication between he and Channing Goodwin. We think he has a chance to stick as a key reserve and special teamer.

EDGE Dominic Nichols (2 tackles, sack): Michigan needs guys to step up in the two deep at EDGE rusher and Nichols has routinely been named as a guy to watch. The staff favorite had a “sack” in the game and a few pressures.