Spring Football Reality Check: What We Learned From Michigan’s 2025 Spring Game

I’ll admit it—I got caught up in the hype.

Like a lot of Michigan fans (some 45,000 of us today), I showed up to the 2025 Spring Game expecting a Bryce Underwood showcase. The Maize vs. Blue format had the usual early offseason buzz, but all eyes were on the five-star freshman phenom. We came to see touchdowns. We got reality.

From the opening whistle, it was clear: this was a spring game. Sloppy, penalty-laden, and full of teachable moments. Bryce Underwood started his day getting sacked (more than once), had a couple delay of game penalties, nearly threw an early pick (would later throw one), and generally looked like what he is—a true freshman still adjusting to the speed and complexity of college football.

While the offense sputtered early, running back Justice Haynes offered a glimpse of something positive with some tough running between the tackles. But the passing game was largely stuck in neutral. Only Channing Goodwin consistently found separation, hauling in a few passes from Underwood. He also got open deep but was overthrown by Underwood on what would’ve been an easy six points. 

That wide receiver room? Still a question mark.

Kechaun Bennett flashed again in the spring setting with a huge tackle for loss on Micah Ka’apana. He’s done this before in the spring. The real question is whether he can bring it consistently when the games count.

Once I finally started paying attention to the trenches in the second quarter, here’s the lineup I noted:

Blue Team: Evan Link- LT, Ben Roebuck- LG, Kayden Strayhorn- C, Nathan Efobi- RG, Andrew Sprague- RT.

Maize Team: Andrew Babalola- LT, Connor Jones- LG, Jake Guarnara- C, Avery Gach- RG, Brady Norton- RT. 

 I missed whether Greg Crippen took any snaps—his helmet was off by the time I was locked in on the trenches. The inconsistency up front showed, as both Jadyn Davis and Bryce Underwood were sacked multiple times.

Underwood’s lone interception came after a holding call on Nathan Efobi. He overthrew his receiver and true freshman Tevis Metcalf made him pay. It wasn’t a great read, but it was a great play by Metcalf, who looks like someone who might see the field sooner than later.

Another standout from the “Spring Game Hero” category: running back Bryson Kuzdzal. He had himself a day but likely won’t see major snaps once the season starts. Same goes for Tight End Jaylen Hoffman, who had a monster stat line but doesn’t appear to be in the top tier of the TE rotation.

Underwood did have a few flashes with his legs. A 3rd and 11 scramble showcased his athleticism, and he led a touchdown drive early in the second half off a short field created by a Jeremiah Lowe interception of Jadyn Davis. That drive featured a couple of zippered crossing routes that got a reaction from the crowd, capped off by a Micah Ka’apana rushing touchdown. Underwood also threw a nice fade from the 2-yard line, but his receiver dropped it.

Later, he finessed a beautiful ~30-yard sideline ball that Jamar Browder couldn’t bring in. And though Andrew Marsh only had one catch, it’s obvious he and Bryce have chemistry. He looks like the real deal—maybe even a Nico Collins 2.0 in that #4 jersey.

The low point for Jadyn Davis came with another interception late, but the high point for everyone came on the final play. With the Blue team already set to win, Chip Lindsey dialed up some razzle-dazzle: a double reverse pass from Underwood that turned into an 88-yard touchdown. It didn’t mean much for the score, but it meant everything for morale. That play was electric—and exactly what fans needed after three quarters of mud and miscues.

So, what did we learn?

Honestly… not much.

As is often the case with spring games, the takeaways are murky. The defense looked far ahead of the offense. The receivers still need to prove themselves. Bryce Underwood is still developing. And everyone is still settling in under Chip Lindsey’s offense.

But we also saw potential. A little flash. A few glimpses. A reminder that while spring football may not be pretty, it’s where the work begins.

Fall can’t come soon enough