2025 Season Countdown: #12 Max Bredeson

 

Max Bredeson (image via X)

Name: Max Bredeson
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 250 lbs.
High school: Hartland (WI) Arrowhead
Position: Tight end/Fullback
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #44
Last year: I ranked Bredeson #17 and said he would be a part-time starting tight end/fullback (LINK). He started six games and caught 3 passes for 24 yards.
TTB Rating: N/A

If you're an off-ball linebacker on Michigan's schedule, there's probably nobody else in the league you would less want to meet face-to-face than Max Bredeson. He's somewhat of a rarity in modern college football: a fullback.

In modern football coaches use RPOs and RROs to control defenders and make space, but in ye olden days, they used fullbacks to create extra gaps. The advantage of lining up in the I-formation has largely been twofold:

1. You create a good angle for a kickout block.
2. Wherever the fullback goes, you create an extra gap that requires an additional defender to overlap and/or beat their block to stop the ball carrier.

Of course there are other things coaches can do with fullbacks (hand off to them, fake handoffs to them, use them as pass catchers out of the backfield, etc.), but those are historically the main two.

Bredeson was exploring his post-Michigan options this off-season before deciding to come back for year five in a winged helmet, but he ultimately decided to come back and ply his trade for another season. He was a captain in 2024 and will be again in 2025. His expertise can largely get overlooked when Michigan running backs are doing their thing, but if you want to see some slobberknockers against opposing linebackers, safeties, and defensive ends, keep an eye on Bredeson.

This season the Wolverines appear to have a different version of fullback developing behind Bredeson, and that's former walk-on Jalen Hoffman. Hoffman is less physical and more of a pass catcher, as evidenced by his 88-yard touchdown in the spring game. That gives the Wolverines a variety of skills they can throw out there in different packages, and tight ends coach Steve Casula has talked about having several guys that can go out there and play tight end right now - Bredeson, Hoffman, Marlin Klein, Zack Marshall, and Hogan Hansen.

Prediction: Part-time starting fullback/tight end

2025 Season Countdown: #13 Jaishawn Barham

 

Jaishawn Barham (image via X)

Name: Jaishawn Barham
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 243 lbs.
High school: Baltimore (MD) St. Frances
Position: Linebacker
Class: Senior
Jersey number: #1
Last year: I ranked Barham #7 and said he would be a starting middle linebacker with 65 tackles, 4 sacks, and 1 interception (LINK). He started all thirteen games and made 66 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 pass breakups, and 5 quarterback hurries.
TTB Rating: N/A

After playing two seasons at Maryland, Barham transferred to Michigan for the 2024 season and immediately stepped into a starting role. Consistently discussed as perhaps the most imposing defender for the Wolverines, he had some troubles adjusting to Michigan's defense. There were some missed reads and his coverage was questionable, but as the year went along, he and the entire defense improved as they got used to new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. By the time the season ended, that unit was clicking and only allowed 49 points over the final four games, which included three top-11 teams in Indiana, Ohio State, and Alabama.

Barham probably shouldn't be as low as #13, but I couldn't justify ranking him higher in importance because the guys ahead of him in the countdown don't have backups approximating their level. In the case of inside linebacker, Michigan has basically a third starter in Jimmy Rolder and then another guy that everyone raves about in Cole Sullivan. Add in fifth year senior Jaydon Hood and Georgia transfer Troy Bowles, and Michigan has a lot of depth. The talk is that Barham will be used in a variety of ways this year, including rushing off the edge, but Michigan has four solid guys on the edge, too. Barham should be fun to watch in year two wearing a winged helmet.

Prediction: Starting weakside linebacker; 60 tackles, 3 sacks

Another name in the LB class to be aware of is Michigan LB Jaishawn Barham. Has the athleticism and length to not only be an impactful off ball LB, but also a disruptive blizter pic.twitter.com/oYVYSSKCzX

— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) May 8, 2025

2025 Ex-Wolverine Updates: Week 0

 

UNLV QB Alex Orji (image via X)

Here's a roundup of a couple former Michigan players. NOTE: I will not regularly post updates about offensive linemen since stats are minimal and just posting PFF grades is kind of boring, but I did this week just to show who's playing where and what their opening day role was.

FORMER PLAYERS

OG Amir Herring (Kansas): Herring started at left guard in a 31-7 win over Fresno State. He's listed as a 6'3", 305 lb. redshirt sophomore.

QB Alex Orji (UNLV): Orji had an up-and-down performance in a 38-31 win over Idaho State. Listed as a co-starter with Virginia transfer Anthony Colandrea, Orji completed 3/3 passes for 37 yards. However, he also fumbled as he was going into the end zone on UNLV's opening drive, turning the ball over to Idaho State for a touchback. However however, he also scored the game-winning touchdown on an 11-yard run to make it 37-31 (38-31 after the extra point), with Colandrea playing most of the game following the fumble. Colandrea went 15/21 for 193 yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions, and he ran 13 times for 93 yards.

Alex Orji fumbles right at the goal line on UNLV’s opening drive and Idaho State recovers in the end zone 😳 pic.twitter.com/1jwrfjjs3R

— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) August 23, 2025

Nice hurdle by Alex Orji

pic.twitter.com/jMLyqUQByb

— JD 〽️ (@MGoJDBlue) August 24, 2025

2025 Season Countdown: #14 Giovanni El-Hadi

 

Giovanni El-Hadi (image via Wolverines Wire)

Name: Giovanni El-Hadi
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 315 lbs.
High school: Sterling Heights (MI) Stevenson
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #58
Last year: I ranked El-Hadi #14 and said he would be a starting offensive guard and second team all-conference (LINK). He started all thirteen games and was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten.
TTB Rating: 84

Last year I said it seemed like El-Hadi had been around forever, and just now he's entering his fifth year. I also predicted he would be Second Team All-Big Ten, and that was way off, too. So maybe I'm a bit aloof when it comes to El-Hadi.

El-Hadi had mostly played left guard early in his career, but last season he switched to the right side to make way for Northwestern transfer Josh Priebe to start at left guard. Both of them had pretty forgettable seasons. And that was the case for most of the offensive line. It was a pretty ugly year overall except when Kalel Mullings was stepping through tackles in the backfield and turning them into 20+ yard runs.

Now El-Hadi is back at left guard, and my hope is that he plays better as a result. Just like with Evan Link switching back to left tackle (where he played in high school) from the right side (where he played most of last year), I think being comfortable with the footwork, hand placement, eyes, etc. can help an offensive lineman. El-Hadi has been named a captain for the upcoming season, and he pairs with fifth year senior center Greg Crippen for some good experience on the interior. I'm not going to go as far as saying El-Hadi will be an all-conference player in 2025, but he should be improved and the offense overall should look better under new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey.

Prediction: Starting left guard

2025 Season Countdown: #15 Jordan Marshall

 

Jordan Marshall (image via On3)

Name: Jordan Marshall
Height: 5’11″
Weight: 216 lbs.
High school: Cincinnati (OH) Moeller
Position: Running back
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #23
Last year: I ranked Marshall #73 and said he would be a backup running back (LINK). He played in five games and ran 31 times for 120 yards and returned 9 kickoffs for 225 yards.
TTB Rating: 88

Marshall was a top-100 recruit in the class of 2024 who started off the season being hyped by running backs coach Tony Alford . . . and then didn't play much running back. A lot of people expected him to be the third back behind Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards, but he only carried the ball 31 times on the season, and that includes 23 times in the bowl game against Alabama after Mullings and Edwards were preparing for the NFL draft. Part of the reason Marshall didn't play earlier was because he was working through an injury, and that allowed him to keep his redshirt by only playing in four regular season games (bowl games don't count against redshirts). Maybe that doesn't matter because I would be surprised if he's still around in 2028, but you never know.

For the past few years, Michigan has had upperclassmen to handle running back duties, including Hassan Haskins, Blake Corum, Mullings, and Edwards, but this year is a little different with Marshall the reported leader in the clubhouse and junior Alabama transfer Justice Haynes right there behind him. Haynes was a 5-star recruit and someone who performed well when given opportunities in Tuscaloosa. Maybe this isn't Michigan's best 1-2 combo at running back, but it's a pretty fantastic stack, at least as far as recruiting rankings go; Haynes was #29 overall in 2023 and Marshall was #78 overall in 2024.

Marshall showed a great deal of toughness during his performance against Alabama, dragging tacklers and running through attempts to take him down. He had very good track times in high school, but the ReliaQuest Bowl was more about his between-the-tackles effort than bouncing things outside or breaking big runs. He'll have to continue that tough running behind an offensive line that will probably not be great in 2025, though Michigan fans are hoping it will be improved from last year. I seem some similarities between Marshall and Omarion Hampton, whom new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey helped turn into a first round draft pick this past spring.

Prediction: Starting running back; 220 carries, 1100 yards, 9 touchdowns

2025 Season Countdown: #16 T.J. Metcalf

 

T.J. Metcalf (image via X)

Name: T.J. Metcalf
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 200 lbs.
High school: Birmingham (AL) Pinson Valley
Position: Safety
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #7
Last year: Metcalf played for Arkansas. He started eleven games and made 57 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 7 pass breakups.
TTB Rating: N/A

T.J. Metcalf was a free agent transfer from Arkansas who fit in immediately upon arriving in Ann Arbor. A starter at safety in 2024 who played in 24 total games for the Razorbacks, he's a good-sized player who apparently has a football mind. Sam Webb recently stated that Metcalf said he learned Michigan's defense in about a week this spring, and that's good news, because the defense is thought to be rather complicated since it's an NFL system.

His Arkansas career included three interceptions last season, two of which came against former Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne, who decided to move south to throw his interceptions in an Auburn uniform instead.

Now that he's in Ann Arbor, he seems likely to play the nickel position formerly inhabited by Mike Sainristil, Zeke Berry, and Makari Paige. Fifth year senior Rod Moore could be an option at nickel, too, but Moore is coming back from an injury. To start the year, I think it makes the most sense to have Moore at nickel, Jaden Mangham and Brandyn Hillman at safety, and then Zeke Berry and Jyaire Hill at cornerback. Sherrone Moore was quoted over the summer as saying Metcalf could be one of the best players not only on the team, but in the Big Ten.

Prediction: Starting nickel; 60 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions

2025 Season Countdown: #17 T.J. Guy

 

T.J. Guy

Name: T.J. Guy
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 250 lbs.
High school: Mansfield (MA) Mansfield
Position: Defensive end
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #42 #4
Last year: I ranked Guy #27aand said he would be a backup defensive end with 20 tackles and 3 sacks (LINK). He made 32 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and 6 quarterback hurries.
TTB Rating: 65

Guy quietly turned into a pretty destructive pass rusher in 2024, finishing second on the team with 5.5 sacks behind Josaiah Stewart's 8.5. That was perhaps especially impressive because Guy was essentially a backup, starting only three games. I felt like Guy finished the season strongly, making 3 sacks against Indiana and Northwestern and then playing well against Alabama. He has not added any weight since last season, and he can sometimes get pushed around in the run game, but his length and speed make him an asset on the pass rush.

This season Guy should be even more productive with more playing time, and his new #4 jersey (after switching from #42) should look fun getting after the quarterback; it's not often we see pass rushers wearing single-digit jerseys, which may be one reason why I look back so fondly on #2 Shawn Crable. He may get replaced at times in run-stuffing situations, but the Wolverines have a good situation at edge with Cam Brandt and Dominic Nichols serving as backups, some young players with athleticism, and the potential of using linebacker Jaishawn Barham off the edge as well. I'm expecting a good season out of Guy that will end with him being a day two or day three pick in the NFL draft next spring.

Prediction: Starting defensive end; 40 tackles, 8 sacks