Spring practice is underway for the Michigan Wolverines as a revamped offense and a reloaded defense begin their early preparations for the 2025 football season.
The Michigan Insider spoke with three impact players — Justice Haynes, Jordan Marshall and Derrick Moore — for the Wolverines during media availability on Wednesday. Haynes, an Alabama transfer, should headline the running back room alongside Marshall, who starred in the ReliaQuest Bowl against the Crimson Tide.
Moore is a star in the making, per DC Wink Martindale, and alongside TJ Guy will form a formidable starting duo at the edge rusher position.
Here are the biggest takeaways from our conversation and more:
Why Justice Haynes picked Michigan
The Buford, Ga., native was a five-star prospect during his original recruitment and he committed to the then-Nick Saban led Alabama program over Georgia, Ohio State and Florida among others. He transferred to Michigan after two seasons with the Crimson Tide.
“I’m a big faith person. I felt like God was calling me in a different direction in my life, and so I’m just relying on His plan that he had for me,” Haynes said of why he entered the Transfer Portal.
“I’m thankful for my time in Alabama. It was an amazing two and a half years I had there, being coached by Coach Saban, being coached by Coach DeBoer. Great people, great men. But Michigan, you know, I fell in love with the place. I knew T.A. [Tony Alford] when I was getting recruited from Ohio State. I came up here, and this was the place I knew I wanted to be as soon as I got here.”
Haynes, who did not play in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl but did contribute for Alabama in the Rose Bowl, said he had positive impressions of Michigan from those previous matchups.
“Tremendous amount of respect. First thing, I’m an offensive side of the ball, so on the defensive end, that D-line was special. I remember when we were getting ready for them — Mason, Kenneth, them boys, D-Moore, Josaiah, all those boys that were out there playing, that was a special D-line group, as we saw in that game,” Haynes said.
“That whole defense was special. They had a special team. You could tell that they played physical, ran the football, and that they’re all about the brotherhood, and you could tell that they really went out there and played for each other.”
How Bryce Underwood is impressing his teammates
Jordan Marshall was asked about which players Michigan fans aren’t talking about enough right now.
“Obviously, on our side, the quarterback,” he replied.
Which one?
“Bryce, he’s a beast,” the running back said, before also mentioning Jadyn Davis, Donaven McCulley and Fred Moore.
