Where 2025 Michigan football position groups rank nationally by Phil Steele

Michigan Wolverines football has some star-studded position groups heading into the 2025 season, according to college football expert Phil Steele. Steele ranks the top units at each position group ahead of the campaign, and Michigan has four top-10 groups nationally.

Here’s a look at where each Michigan position groups checks in on Steele’s unit rankings. Steele ranks at least 68 at each position, and the Wolverines made the cut at each spot.

Linebackers: No. 2 nationally, No. 1 Big Ten

Michigan has both starting linebackers returning in seniors Jaishawn Barham and Ernest Hausmann, and that kind of continuity at such a key spot for both playmaking and communication will be vital.

This has also suddenly become a deep position group for the Maize and Blue beyond just the team’s top two tacklers from a year ago (Hausmann with 89, Barham with 66). Senior Jimmy Rolder has battled injuries throughout his career but is viewed as a “third starter,” Georgia transfer Troy Bowles missed the spring but has a promising future and freshman Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng was a massive signing day pickup last December. Sophomore Cole Sullivan is the breakout candidate, though, after being too good to keep off the field last season. He played special teams and will now earn a role on defense.

“The tp two tacklers return from the nation’s fifth-ranked run defense,” Steele pointed out. “Ernest Hausmann led the way with 89 tackles and 7 tackles for loss. Jaishawn Barham (66 tackles) is a terrific run stopper with NFL potential. In three-linebacker sets, MIchigan will turn to senior Jimmy Rolder, who’s played in 31 games.”

Big Ten teams in the top 15: Michigan (2), Penn State (6), Ohio State (9), Indiana (15)

Defensive line: No. 5 nationally, No. 2 Big Ten

Michigan’s defensive line has been top-six in this category each of the past two seasons, checking in No. 6 in 2023 and No. 4 in 2024. The Wolverines’ defensive success has started from the front back.

Michigan lost three starters from the front — EDGE Josaiah Stewart and tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant — but the Wolverines will rely on their depth to stay fresh and continue to roll massive bodies on the field to wear down opposing offensive lines.

Graduate defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny and senior EDGE Derrick Moore have collected preseason All-Big Ten honors from multiple publications, so there’s still top-end talent on the roster. The Maize and Blue also fortified the interior depth and talent by adding two experienced linemen in transfers Tré Williams (Clemson) and Damon Payne (Alabama).

“U-M will reload, even after losing two [first-round draft picks at defensive tackle],” Steele wrote. “Derrick Moore and [graduate EDGE TJ Guy] (9.5 combined sacks) can wreak edge havoc. Rayshaun Benny has big shoes to fill, but he’s played well in reserve and is set to explode. Clemson’s Tré Williams improves DT depth.”

Big Ten teams in the top 15: Penn State (3), Michigan (5), Iowa (8), Ohio State (12), Indiana (15)

Special teams: No. 5 nationally, No. 2 Big Ten

Michigan has the Big Ten’s best kicker from 2024, senior Dominic Zvada, whose return for a final college season was one of the roster’s biggest early offseason developments. Zvada made 21 of his 22 field goals and set program records for both a season and career with 7 makes of 50-plus yards.

There’s uncertainty at punter, where senior Hudson Hollenbeck took over in the bowl game following Tommy Doman‘s departure to Florida. The Wolverines also signed former Missouri punter Luke Bauer in the spring portal window.

“Michigan has been top 20 in [special teams ratings] four straight years, including No. 10 in ’24,” Steele wrote. “Place kicker Dominic Zvada is a preseason All-American after hitting 21-22 field goals (7-7 from 50-plus!). Punter Tommy Doman had an off year before transferring, so Hudson Hollenbeck (6 punts for 277 yards in bowl) has a chance to upgrade the punt game.”

Big Ten teams in the top 15: Iowa (1), Michigan (5), Oregon (7), Illinois (9)

Defensive backs: No. 9 nationally, No. 3 Big Ten

Michigan’s defensive backfield has two returning starters — versatile senior cornerback Zeke Berry and junior corner Jyaire Hill — plus a former All-Big Ten performer in graduate Rod Moore, who missed last season with a torn ACL.

Between those players and a loaded safety group that includes an SEC starter in Arkansas transfer TJ Metcalf, junior Brandyn Hillman and sophomore Mason Curtis, there are plenty of candidates to both start on the back end and/or take reps at nickel.

While there’s a lot of young talent that will have to step into major roles, many of them are proven. The Wolverines’ secondary improved throughout last season, even after second-round NFL Draft pick Will Johnson went down with injury.

“Michigan is eyeing a bounceback after being shorthanded in ’24,” Steele said. “All-Big Ten safety Rod Moore returns after missing last year with injury. Cornerbacks Zeke Berry (9 passes defended) and Jyaire Hill (8 passes defended) are ascending fast. Arkansas NB TJ Metcalf (57 tackles) adds veteran production.”

Big Ten teams in the top 15: Penn State (4), Ohio State (8), Michigan (9), Illinois (13), Oregon (14)

Running backs: No. 11 nationally, No. 4 Big Ten

Michigan’s running back tandem of junior Justice Haynes and sophomore Jordan Marshall haven’t received much hype nationally this offseason — until now. The Wolverines added an Alabama transfer in Haynes, who ranked sixth in the SEC with 5.7 yards per carry a year ago, and get back Marshall, who impressed with a 100-yard performance in the bowl game victory over the Crimson Tide.

Michigan has had an outstanding track record with running backs throughout history but also in recent years. The Wolverines almost always have a strong 1-2 punch.

“With newcomers at QB, Michigan will retool around VHT [very highly touted] backs, namely Justice Haynes,” Steele wrote. “He only rushed for 448 yards in 2024, but he’s had the kind of offseason that’s attracted NFL attention. Jordan Marshall finished his rookie year with 100 yards in the bowl win.”

Big Ten teams in the top 15: Penn State (1), Oregon (6), Minnesota (8), Michigan (11), Ohio State (15)

Offensive line: No. 22 nationally, No. 8 Big Ten

Michigan’s offensive line struggled mightily last season but has three starters back — graduate center Greg Crippen, graduate guard Giovanni El-Hadi and junior tackle Evan Link. Whether it being largely the same starting personnel again is a positive or negative is up for debate — Crippen didn’t begin the year as a starter and Link was replaced at one point in the year before getting his job back due to injury — but possessing experience doesn’t hurt. Sophomore Andrew Sprague opened the bowl game against Alabama and received praise for his performance, too.

Michigan also added from the high school and transfer ranks. The Wolverines like junior Cal Poly transfer Brady Norton‘s versatility as a tackle or guard, and Ferris State transfer Lawrence Hattar was an All-American at the D-II level before moving up to the FBS for his final season in 2025. He’ll compete at guard. Freshman Andrew Babalola, an early enrollee, is also expected to compete for the starting left tackle job along with Link and Norton.

Big Ten teams in the top 15: Penn State (1), Iowa (8), Oregon (10), Ohio State (13)

Receivers: No. 53 nationally, No. 11 Big Ten

Michigan’s wide receiving corps was one of the team’s weaknesses last season, and it lost its most productive player — Tyler Morris — to transfer (Indiana). The Wolverines’ returning leader at the position is junior Semaj Morgan, who only had 27 catches for 139 yards and 1 touchdown, posting a lowly 5.2 yards-per-catch average.

Michigan brought in reinforcements this offseason. Not only did the Wolverines add a top-100 freshman talent in Jacob Washington, who joined the team this summer, but they also are high on early enrollees Jamar Browder and Andrew Marsh.

Experience was needed, too, and Michigan brought in a pair of veteran transfers who left their teams in the middle of last season. Donaven McCulley (Indiana) and Anthony Simpson (UMass) each provide experience. McCulley hauled in 48 catches for 644 yards and 6 touchdowns on a 3-9 Hoosier squad in 2023.

The tight end position could be a strength for Michigan in 2025, even after the departure of Colston Loveland — the No. 10 overall NFL Draft pick to the Chicago Bears. Senior Marlin Klein and sophomore Hogan Hansen have both shown promise. On top of that, new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey has shown in the past that he likes to throw to his running backs, so expect Michigan’s backfield to get involved in the throw game, too.

Big Ten teams in the top 15: Ohio State (1), Indiana (9), Oregon (10), Penn State (11), USC (13), Michigan State (15)

Quarterbacks: No. 61 nationally, No. 12 Big Ten

It’s a bit surprising to see that 60 college football teams, including 11 from the Big Ten, have better quarterback units according to Steele. He’s likely going on production returning, however, and Michigan’s projected starting signal-caller — freshman Bryce Underwood — has none, even though he was the No. 1 overall recruit in America in 2025. Graduate Mikey Keene, meanwhile, spent the spring banged up and, while he has started 34 career games, has never played at the Power Four level.

Michigan lacks depth at quarterback. Not only was Keene hurt this spring, but graduate Davis Warren, last year’s primary starter, tore his ACL in the Dec. 31 bowl game and is expected to miss the beginning of the season (based on a typical timetable for that injury).

Big Ten teams in the top 15: Penn State (4), Illinois (14)