Now that we are past the first signing day and are into bowl game practices it seems like a good time to talk about what'd we'd like to see the program accomplish going into next year. There are a few big questions marks out there in terms of the coaching staff, finishing the 2025 recruiting class, and portal targets that will need to be addressed. Below I've identified what I think are the biggest questions marks we have going into the off season and how I would like to see them addressed. There are a lot of different ways things could go so this is only one view, but I thought this was a good place to start the conversation. I'll likely add more about OL, DT, and CB portal targets tomorrow.
- OC candidates -
- This is probably the biggest question that needs to be answered. Coaching hires are so hard to predict, especially at the assistant level. Often times guys with big resumes flop, unknown guys emerge as stars, and second choices end up being home run hires. This search has been quiet but of the names I've seen thrown around Tanner Engstrand is the most interesting to me. None of the candidates seem sure things but I think Engstrand has a lot of upside. His resume reads a lot like Mike MacDonald's and he could really do well in the role. He has experience as a OC (at San Diego) and has been around one of the best offensive minds in the NFL for the past few seasons. It's a big gamble but I like the potential. If Engstrand was the choice I'd hope they'd also bring in a separate QB coach. I've said this a few time now but with the NCAA removing the coaching limit I don't see any down side to hiring as many folks as possible. Let the OC and DC float between positions groups and have dedicated coaches for QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, DL, Edge/OLB, LB, CB, S, and special teams. identify your 10 best recruiters and send them on the road.
- My top choice - Tanner Engstrand
- 2025 class
- The group that signed last week was great! We could leave the class as is and be in a really good position going forward. That said it seems like there are still some high level targets available and we have a few more needs that could be addressed. It's always tricky navigating high school recruiting with portal targets but that is especially true this year as teams have to get down to the new 105 limit. Given the number of portal options the staff is likely to have I wouldn't focus a ton of effort on late signees. That said go get Ty Haywood (4 star, #37 overall, #5 OT) and Zahir Mathis (4 star, #55 overall, #4 WDE). Those are two top 100 guys at positions that really matter. It would also give you a set of elite (from a recruiting standpoint) bookends on the offensive (Haywood and Babalola) and defensive (Marshall and Mathis) lines. Adding them would make an already great class even better
- How I would finish the 2025 class
- Ty Haywood - 4 star, #37 overall, #5 OT
- Zahir Mathis - 4 star, #55 overall, #4 WDE
- Portal targets
- This is a little bit tougher to project because there are so many unknowns right now. So I'm going to approach this as a point in time want list and only identify some targets at positions that I think are the biggest need right now.
- QB - Bryce may be good enough to start from day one but I don't want him to HAVE to start from day 1. It would be nice to have someone who has experience but at the very least you need quality depth. These are my three top choices based on who is in the portal right now.
- Miller Moss - USC - I still think Moss is the ideal candidate. I know the buzz has died down a bit but he would be a great mentor for Bryce, is talented, and would significantly raise the floor for next year's team. If the program wants to continue the momentum it has built the past month they need to make the playoff next year and I think Moss gives them the best chance to do so.
- Maalik Murphy - Duke - Murphy would actually be my top choice but I'm not sure if he's realistic. He's proven he can play at a high level and would raise both the floor and ceiling of the program. He does have multiple years of eligibility but if he came here and had a big season he'd likely go pro after next year. So Bryce wouldn't be significantly impacted by his arrival. Get the money cannon loaded up and go get him haha! I am a little curious about why he's leaving Duke. It seemed like a good set up for him.
- Kaidon Salter - Liberty - I think Salter is a bigger question mark than Moss because it's an up transfer but he would still be solid. I'm not sure Salter would be as likely to beat out Bryce Underwood for the starting position so it might be tougher to convince him to come here.
- Tyler Van Dyke - Wisconsin - This would be a bit of a risk because of his injury history but might be worth taking a shot. Michigan recruited him out of high school and Van Dyke was solid at Miami before getting hurt at Wisconsin last year. He is a guy who could provide depth and also push for the starting job. He could also be a good fit.
- WR - Michigan needs to add more talent to the room. This is especially true if Bryce is the starter. If you have a true freshman at the WR position you need guys who can make his life easier (see Henne in 2004). I like Marsh a lot but even if he's ready to play from day one he needs to be surrounded by some veteran guys on the outside.
- Dane Key - Kentucky - He has improved every year he has been in college and is a prove outside WR. He'd make a great addition to the roster.
- Barion Brown - Kentucky - I actually think both of these guys were really good at Kentucky and would immediately be out top 2 wideouts. The also seem to be low maintenance with is an important trait for WRs in our program.
- Tyler Morris - Michigan - I might catch some flack for this one but I still think Morris is a talented WR. He plays hard and has made some big plays over the years. Once an OC gets named and we have a better sense of the QB room, I'd try to throw a bit more NIL his way to get him back on the roster.
- QB - Bryce may be good enough to start from day one but I don't want him to HAVE to start from day 1. It would be nice to have someone who has experience but at the very least you need quality depth. These are my three top choices based on who is in the portal right now.
- This is a little bit tougher to project because there are so many unknowns right now. So I'm going to approach this as a point in time want list and only identify some targets at positions that I think are the biggest need right now.
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