The Michigan football program finds itself in the middle of a nightmare.
On the field, the 2025 season was tanked with losses to all three ranked opponents, including a trouncing by rival Ohio State. The worst of it, however, came off the field.
Former coach Sherrone Moore was fired on Wednesday, Dec. 10, after U-M's investigation found "credible evidence" that Moore had an "impermissible relationship" with a staffer. On the same day Moore was fired, he was also arrested by Pittsfield Township Police on an assault investigation and taken to the Washtenaw County Jail.
Now, those who remain in Schembechler Hall are left trying to pick up the pieces. On the to-do list? Outside of trying to find a new coach? Keeping the players who were expected to return next year still in the fold. It's imperative U-M keeps as much of its young talent in Ann Arbor as possible, but there are a few who rise above the rest.
Here are the five players U-M must prioritize to keep out of the transfer portal.
Bryce Underwood, quarterback
The program is built around Underwood, the talented true freshman who was the nation's top prospect in 2025. That campaign didn't go quite as hoped, as the Belleville product completed 61.1% of his passes for 2,229 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions. But he remains the future of the team as long as he's in Ann Arbor.
Underwood has not only helped recruit elite talent – he was a key reason wideout Andrew Marsh joined him a season ago and running back Savion Hiter signed this year – but has the most raw talent of any quarterback to come through Ann Arbor in a long time.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound passer provides a big arm and a running threat that puts defense in constant conflict. After a year of learning on the job, there's hope (and somewhat of an expectation) he will take a big step in 2026.
Jordan Marshall, running back
The future of Justice Haynes in Ann Arbor was unclear even prior to the turmoil, but Marshall was always seen as a key piece next year – or as the heart and soul of this year's team, Max Bredeson, put it: a future captain.
Marshall averaged 63.2 yards a carry on 150 touches, scoring 10 TDs while taking over the lead role following Haynes' surgery-requiring foot injury.
Marshall proved to be a bruiser as a consistent force on the ground as well as a reliable release valve in the pass game. Marshall ran for at least 110 yards and a touchdown in all four games he started and finished healthy – he figures to be the lead back in what could well remain a dominant backfield in 2026 (if Hiter maintains his commitment).
Andrew Marsh, wide receiver
The main reason U-M's passing game was at all functional in the back half of the season was Marsh.
The true freshman didn't even break into the rotation until October, yet still led the team with 42 catches, 641 yards (15.3 yards per catch) and three touchdowns in eight games as a starter. Marsh set a single-game Michigan freshman record with 12 receptions for 189 yards against Northwestern – including a key third-down reception late in the fourth quarter that set up the game-winning field goal.
Marsh is the game-changing receiver for which the program has longed for more than a decade. He will be the unquestioned WR1 should he stick around.
Cole Sullivan, linebacker
Michigan is likely to lose a host of key members in its front seven – Ernest Hausmann, Jaishawn Barham, Jimmy Rolder, Derrick Moore, Tre' Williams and Damon Payne among them – and it frankly can't afford another.
Sullivan emerged as a key contributor this season, recording 37 tackles (22 solo and five for loss), two sacks, three interceptions and one fumble recovery. Sullivan became such a key cog in the rotation, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale rotated Barham to edge in order to open a spot in the linebacking corps and boost the pass rush. Whoever is coaching Michigan in 2026 (and coordinating the defense) will definitely want one of the Big Ten's top linebackers.
Andrew Sprague, offensive lineman
The Wolverines appear to have a solid line returning and have a lot of young promise at the tackle spot – Blake Frazier, Andrew Babalola and Ty Haywood among them – but Sprague is the anchor with experience.
Michigan's run game was solid this year, in particular off the right side and Sprague graded out as the team's top pass blocker (72), per Pro Football Focus, among all returning offensive linemen. Sprague was a consensus All-Big Ten honorable mention while serving as the starting right tackle in all 12 games.
Offenses start with the line and Sprague is the best returning player on the unit.
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 5 Michigan football standouts to prioritize after Sherrone Moore firing