Five Michigan Wolverines who will step up to replace NFL departures in bowl game vs Alabama
The Michigan Wolverines' roster has been decimated by players opting out of the bowl game. With most of their older talent heading off to the NFL, this opens the door for the younger players to step up and enter the 2025 season with momentum behind them to start next season. Who are some players to […]
The Michigan Wolverines' roster has been decimated by players opting out of the bowl game. With most of their older talent heading off to the NFL, this opens the door for the younger players to step up and enter the 2025 season with momentum behind them to start next season.
Who are some players to keep an eye on in Michigan's bowl game against Alabama?
EDGE Cameron Brandt
While TJ Guy and Derrick Moore have stated their desire to play in the bowl game, Josaiah Stewart won't be. Moore and Guy are likely the starting edge rushers, but the next part of their rotation will have to step up.
That falls on sophomore Cameron Brandt to be their next man up. Brandt played a solid chunk of snaps this season, putting up two sacks as a rotational rusher.
He'll be part of the plan to keep Jalen Milroe in the pocket and harass him when he drops back to pass.
TE Hogan Hansen
Marlin Klein will likely be the starting tight end, but with tight ends coach Steve Casula taking over as interim OC, I expect multiple tight ends to play in their bowl game.
Hansen is just a freshman, but I'd argue he is their best receiver in the tight end room that we saw this season.
For an offense who will be searching to find any kind of playmaking, he might be a reliable option for the Wolverines to turn to if they want to pull off an upset.
RBs Jordan Marshall & Benjamin Hall
Michigan won't have either Donovan Edwards or Kalel Mullings in this game. That removes their two leading rushers from this season, both of whom made plenty of plays to keep Michigan's offense moving.
We're not sure who will be the lead back between the two, and it might be a case of whoever gets the hot hand in game. They'll have to earn plenty of yards on their own with Michigan's leaky offensive line, but if these two can get going, they can cement themselves as a key part of the offense next season.
DT Trey Pierce
Both Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant are headed off to be first-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, leaving a massive (literally) hole in the middle of Michigan's defense. That opens the door for some younger players to lead the way. One of those players who has seemingly grasped the opportunity is sophomore Trey Pierce.
Pierce mainly played in some of Michigan's blowout games against Arkansas State, Illinois, and Michigan State but didn't record much in the stats department. However, he's a 6'2, 315-pound run stuffer.
He'll be crucial in slowing down Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe in the QB run game, as well as the stable of running backs the Crimson Tide will play. If Michigan wants to have a chance at winning this, Pierce making plays will have to play a big part in stopping Alabama's offense.
