Seven freshmen to watch in Michigan bowl game against Alabama

Michigan Wolverines football will be down 10 players that would’ve been projected to start in Tuesday’s ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama. That provides opportunity for younger players, including freshmen, to step up. Here’s a look at the freshmen who have a chance to make big impacts in the big game.

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RB Jordan Marshall

With graduate Kalel Mullings and senior Donovan Edwards out of the lineup, freshman running back Jordan Marshall may have the biggest opportunity of all Michigan first-year players. The deck is cleared for him and sophomore Benjamin Hall to have big days.

Marshall only rushed 8 times for 25 yards in four games this season, but the former top-100 recruit has loads of potential. He dealt with an injury that held him out of most of the year, but that only allowed him to redshirt, so he still has four years of eligibility remaining after 2024.

“He’s a young kid. He’s dynamic,” Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said of Marshall. “We really felt really good about him throughout the year. Had a couple of bumps and bruises and was limited a little bit, and is at full strength now. He’s got a chance to be a really special player. So really excited about him.

TE Hogan Hansen

Michigan freshman tight end Hogan Hansen has already flashed this season, beginning with his first career touchdown against Arkansas State. Junior Colston Loveland is out, but Hansen has been one of the players who’s stepped up in a similar position already.

The 6-foot-5, 236-pounder reeled in 4 catches for 50 yards when junior Marlin Klein left the game at Illinois early — that was his coming out party — and he was targeted 3 times at Ohio State when Loveland was out, hauling in 1 grab for 9 yards.

“He’s a sponge. He’s into this. He’s coachable. He’s really, really gifted, and he’s getting better, man,” Michigan tight ends coach and interim offensive coordinator Steve Casula said in October. H”e’s been such a pleasant surprise, and he’s going to be a really good player here.”

RT Andrew Sprague

It’s no longer just talk: Michigan freshman offensive tackle Andrew Sprague — a 6-foot-8, 305-pounder — is slated to get his first career start. Sophomore Evan Link will move from right to left tackle, and Sprague will move into his spot.

A former top-100 recruit, Sprague has been praised for his work behind the scenes, but it’s tough for a freshman to see the field on the offensive line. But with fifth-year senior left tackle Myles Hinton choosing not to play, the door has been left open for Sprague to seize the moment. He has only six offensive snaps this season.

“Feel really confident about him,” Moore said. “He’s a guy that’s super talented that we’ve moved into the game a little bit and played.”

WR Channing Goodwin

Michigan freshman wide receiver Channing Goodwin has logged just 13 offensive snaps this season, notching no receptions, but he’s been talked up by the coaching staff. The Wolverines will be without junior wideout Tyler Morris, who entered the transfer portal, and they may want to rotate more anyway given players like Goodwin may have earned more snaps after showing improvement during the 15 bowl practices.

“Channing, from the day he’s gotten here, he very much fits the mold of what success has looked like here,” Casula said. “Serious about football. Football smart. Just has a really good energy about him, and that’s just continued to take off.”

EDGE Dominic Nichols

Michigan’s second-string defensive line is essentially the starting group now — other than junior EDGE Derrick Moore remaining intact — meaning there will be more snaps up for grabs for players like freshman Dominic Nichols.

The 6-foot-5, 261-pound Nichols enrolled early, impressed in the spring game and has long been a favorite of Sherrone Moore. He’s played just 20 defensive snaps but looks the part, and is now in the two-deep along with sophomore Cameron Brandt, behind Moore and senior TJ Guy.

“He’s a big, long athlete,” Moore said earlier this year.

CB Jo’Ziah Edmond

While he didn’t get much playing time this season, there’s a reason why Michigan freshman cornerback Jo’Ziah Edmond began to emerge toward the end of the regular season, with all 28 of his defensive snaps coming in the back half of the year.

For one, the cornerback room wasn’t very deep, but Edmond has also been a player that the staff has been high on from fall camp on.

Junior Zeke Berry is expected to move back from outside corner to nickel, and junior Will Johnson won’t play. Edmond should get a decent amount of run against Alabama.

S Mason Curtis

Michigan safety Mason Curtis is a true ‘football player,’ and he’s one of the most promising freshmen on the team. The Wolverines experimented with him at wide receiver, edge rusher and linebacker, but he settled in at safety and feels comfortable sticking there for good.

The 6-foot-5, 200-pounder totaled the most overall snaps among Michigan freshmen this season, with 159, including 84 on defense. He’s a “tackling machine,” according to coaches, and started to have a significant role in the latter half of the season. While the Wolverines will be with all of the players who saw time at safety in the last few regular season games (graduate Makari Paige had moved to nickel), it’s a safe bet that Curtis will earn some time, after notching his first career interception against Northwestern.

“I love him. I love Mason Curtis,” Michigan defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan said earlier this season. “I think Mason will be a big-time player here. His time is coming.”