Michigan leaned heavily on true freshmen, igniting a 9-3 season marked by thrilling wins and undeniable growing pains, especially from QB Bryce Underwood.
The 2025 Michigan Wolverines football team, under the continued leadership of head coach Sherrone Moore, was never going to be mistaken for a finished product. Following a major roster overhaul and an 8-5 season in 2024, the identity of the 2025 squad was determined by a single, seismic decision: the accelerated trust in true youth. The Wolverines finished the regular season with a respectable 9-3 record, a clear step up from the previous year, yet their season was a microcosm of the inherent volatility that comes with starting one of the youngest teams in the Big Ten.
The numbers don't lie. By the end of the regular season, Michigan was relying on approximately six true freshmen in significant starting or rotation roles, a level of dependence rarely seen in a program with national aspirations. This bold, almost defiant, reliance on the 2025 recruiting class became the most defining feature, and the most volatile variable, of their season.
The Bryce Underwood Effect: Growing Pains at the Apex
The biggest storyline was, unequivocally, the immediate elevation of five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood to the starting role. Underwood, the nation's No. 1 recruit, became the first true freshman to start a season opener at Michigan since 2009. His performance mirrored the team’s overall journey: flashes of brilliance punctuated by moments of painful inexperience.
While the Wolverine offense improved its overall production, the passing game remained a work in progress. Underwood finished the regular season with solid statistics (over 2,200 passing yards, 9 TDs, 6 INTs), but the unit’s overall efficiency and explosiveness were inconsistent. His freshman season was characterized by Coach Moore protecting the young QB with a heavy emphasis on the elite running game, which finished as a top-10 unit nationally behind the two-headed monster of a younger offensive line and running backs Justice Haynes and sophomore Jordan Marshall.
When the passing game clicked, it was often due to the emerging connection with another true freshman: wide receiver Andrew Marsh. Marsh, who led the Big Ten in receiving yards in the second half of the season, proved to be an electrifying playmaker, turning simple routes into major gains. The Underwood-to-Marsh connection, however, frequently suffered from rookie mistakes, including poorly timed throws and dropped passes, illustrating that the timing and communication needed at the highest level take time to forge.
Defensive Development and Defining Moments
The defensive side of the ball also saw significant freshman contribution, notably in the secondary and at linebacker. Cornerbacks Jayden Sanders and Elijah Dotson, along with linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, were all forced into the rotation and saw their snap counts rise.
Their impact was a double-edged sword:
- The Upside: Against mid-tier Big Ten opponents, the freshmen's athleticism and aggressive play were assets. The defense overall remained statistically strong, boasting a significant jump in run defense efficiency. Their development laid a concrete foundation for a potentially dominant unit in 2026.
- The Volatility: In the biggest losses of the season, particularly against Ohio State, the defensive unit struggled, and the young players were exposed to the brutal reality of playing against elite, veteran talent. Missed tackles, coverage busts, and communication errors—the predictable hallmarks of an inexperienced defense—cost the Wolverines a chance at an upset.
The Verdict: A Success Measured in Time
Michigan's 9-3 regular season record is a testament to the program's ability to win the games they were favored in, demonstrating a high floor despite the youth movement. However, the season cannot be judged purely on the win column.
The 2025 season was a crucial, necessary trade-off. By giving six or more true freshmen meaningful snaps, including the invaluable experience of starting under center, Michigan accepted a lower immediate ceiling in exchange for a significantly higher future potential. They successfully navigated the Big Ten schedule, avoided the kind of disheartening losses that plagued the 2024 squad, and now head into the offseason with a battle-tested sophomore core.
The cost was missed opportunities for a Playoff run. The dividend is a roster poised for a potential championship push in 2026, where the "freshmen" of 2025 will be the veteran difference-makers. The investment in youth was risky, but the 9-3 return suggests it was both strategic and successful in setting up the next era of Wolverines football.