A handful of Michigan’s most impactful players won’t return for the Wolverines’ 2025 season, but even with some major departures, there are several players that have incredibly high potential for next season.

Here’s a look at three players who can be major contributors in 2025, and how they performed in the ReliaQuest Bowl win over Alabama.

Jordan Marshall

The 2024 season was a quiet one for freshman running back Jordan Marshall. His eight carries for 20 yards certainly didn’t turn heads — but that low usage wasn’t a reflection of his talent or potential. Buried behind running backs Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards, and dealing with an injury for most of the season, there just weren’t many opportunities for him.

In the ReliaQuest Bowl, Marshall finally earned significant playing time with Mullings and Edwards opting out. And right away, Marshall’s potential materialized. He ran for 100 yards on 23 carries, earning him MVP honors.

The Wolverines had 190 yards total, and Marshall alone accounted for more than half of that. With a mere 75 passing yards, Michigan relied on its running game heavily, and that put the onus on Marshall. Despite playing in just four regular season games, Marshall didn’t shy away from the spotlight — and that’s a promising sign for next season.

With Mullings and Edwards departing, Marshall will be critical for the Wolverines moving forward. In the final day of 2024, Marshall flashed a glimpse of what he could do for Michigan in 2025.

Dominic Zvada

In a volatile season filled with high highs and low lows, kicker Dominic Zvada was a rare source of stability for Michigan. Finishing the regular season 17-of-18 on field goals, Zvada was a reliable source of scoring. His decision to return for the 2025 season was something to rejoice about, but ahead of next season, Zvada gave the Wolverines one last thing to rejoice about this season.

Connecting on all four of his field goal attempts against Alabama, Zvada made a massive impact. Of the Wolverines’ 19 points, 13 came courtesy of Zvada’s the four field goals and one extra point. Despite getting the ball in the red zone on three of Michigan’s first four drives, the Wolverines only scored one touchdown. Struggling to find the endzone, Zvada was the focal point of their scoring.

That isn’t anything new, though. For the entire season, Michigan has leaned on Zvada to put points on the board. He led all players in scoring with 89. In the Wolverines’ incredible upset over No. 2 Ohio State it was Zvada who put Michigan up, 13-10, in the final minute of the game.

After showing his capabilities time and again in the regular season, Zvada capped his 2024 campaign in impressive fashion, fueling the Wolverines’ scoring efforts en route to their victory over Alabama. It was also one final reminder of what Michigan has at its disposal for the coming season.

Derrick Moore

Derrick Moore’s decision to return for the 2025 season was massive for Michigan’s defensive line, especially with Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant and Josaiah Stewart all off to the NFL. Moore is the sole returning starter for Michigan’s defensive line, and with that, the Wolverines will turn to him to hold down the fort next year.

In the ReliaQuest Bowl — with Graham, Grant and Stewart opting out — Moore showed what Michigan can look forward to next season. Moore set the tone, making his mark early in the first quarter. On the Crimson Tide’s first drive, Moore sacked Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe on fourth-and-four, turning the ball over on downs. On the very first play of the Crimson Tide’s next drive, Moore once again delivered by recovering a Milroe fumble.

Next season, Moore will once again be a huge leader of the Wolverines’ defensive unit, and his performance in the ReliaQuest Bowl showed how he can lead the charge on the field.