Michigan and Ohio State: A Look at Their Spring Practice Progress
As the 2025 college football season draws closer, both Michigan and Ohio State are looking to build on successful campaigns in 2024, where both teams made significant strides on the field. Coming out of their spring practices, both programs have reason to be optimistic, yet the paths they’re taking to get there are distinct, with their own sets of challenges and developments.
Michigan: A Dominant Program Looking to Maintain Its Momentum
The Michigan Wolverines, under the leadership of head coach Jim Harbaugh, have been the class of the Big Ten in recent seasons. With back-to-back Big Ten Championships and a consistent presence in the College Football Playoff, the Wolverines are a team that has found its identity and knows how to win at the highest level. However, as is the case for every top-tier program, maintaining that level of success year after year is no easy feat.
Quarterback Play: Who Will Lead the Offense?
The primary storyline out of Michigan’s spring practice was the quarterback battle. After the departure of JJ McCarthy to the NFL, Michigan enters 2025 with a significant void under center. Junior quarterback Alex Orji and sophomore Jayden Denegal have been vying for the starting job, and the competition is fierce. Orji, known for his dual-threat ability, has shown flashes of brilliance with his legs but has yet to prove himself as a consistent passer. On the other hand, Denegal, who was recruited as a pocket passer, has impressed with his arm strength and precision.
Despite the stiff competition, Harbaugh and his coaching staff have been impressed with both quarterbacks’ progress during the spring. Orji has made strides in his passing game, becoming more comfortable in the pocket. Denegal, meanwhile, has improved his mobility, showing that he can be a dynamic threat outside of the traditional pocket. As both quarterbacks look to claim the starting role, Michigan will need to decide who can best lead their offense as they transition into a new era post-McCarthy.
Offensive Line: An Anchor for Success
One of Michigan’s biggest strengths in recent years has been its offensive line, and the 2025 season is no different. The Wolverines return several key pieces from a unit that has dominated in both the run and pass game. Senior tackles Blake Corum and Trent Jones anchor the line, providing both leadership and physicality. Behind them, Michigan boasts depth, with a slew of promising young players pushing for starting spots. The offensive line will be crucial in helping whichever quarterback emerges as the starter settle in, especially given Michigan’s commitment to a balanced offensive attack.
Running back will also be an area to watch, with Blake Corum’s departure after a stellar career leaving a gap. The Wolverines have several options, with Donovan Edwards expected to step into a larger role. Edwards has shown flashes of brilliance in limited action, and he could develop into one of the nation’s top running backs in 2025.
Defense: Reloading Without Missing a Beat
Defensively, Michigan will look to continue its dominant ways, even though several key pieces are gone, including standout defensive end Mike Morris. However, the Wolverines have more than enough talent to reload and remain one of the top defensive units in the country.
Junior defensive lineman Mason Graham and senior linebacker Junior Colson will be pivotal players on this side of the ball. Graham is poised for a breakout season after showing major flashes as a sophomore, while Colson, one of the most underrated linebackers in college football, will be the anchor of Michigan’s defense. The defensive backfield also boasts talent, with cornerback Will Johnson and safety Rod Moore expected to continue their ascension to elite status.
The Wolverines’ defense is built on speed, discipline, and attacking the line of scrimmage. They will need to replace some of their star pass-rushers, but Michigan’s depth on the defensive line should allow them to continue applying pressure and maintaining a physical, aggressive defensive style.
Ohio State: Reloading with Big Expectations
Ohio State, under Ryan Day, is another team that finds itself in a period of transition but with lofty expectations nonetheless. The Buckeyes have long been one of the premier programs in college football, and even with some holes to fill heading into 2025, the program’s elite talent and commitment to excellence position them for another run at the College Football Playoff.
Quarterback Position: A New Era Post-Stroud
One of the most intriguing storylines out of Ohio State’s spring practice is how they will replace quarterback C.J. Stroud, who was drafted into the NFL after an impressive career in Columbus. Stroud’s leadership and playmaking ability will be hard to replicate, but Ohio State is fortunate to have several talented quarterbacks vying for the job.
Kyle McCord, who was Stroud’s backup last season, is the most likely candidate to take over under center. McCord has been highly regarded as a future star, and spring practices showed he is more than capable of running Ohio State’s fast-paced, pass-heavy offense. His arm strength and leadership ability were on full display during the spring, and he’s expected to seamlessly take the reins from Stroud.
However, backup Devin Brown has not gone quietly into the night. Brown is a dual-threat quarterback with a strong arm and excellent mobility, and he’s impressed during his limited opportunities. If Brown can continue to show the same level of progress he made in the spring, there could be an intriguing quarterback competition as the season progresses.
Wide Receiver: Reloading with Elite Talent
Ohio State is known for its ability to produce top-tier wide receivers, and 2025 is no different. After losing Marvin Harrison Jr., who went to the NFL, the Buckeyes will look to other stars like Emeka Egbuka and Julian Fleming to step up and be the focal points of their passing game. Both Egbuka and Fleming have shown flashes of brilliance in past seasons, but with a new quarterback under center, they will need to be even more consistent and dynamic.
Additionally, Ohio State’s depth at wide receiver is one of the best in the country. Freshman recruit Carnell Tate has already turned heads in spring practices, and if he can continue his development, he could emerge as one of the top targets in the offense. With Ohio State’s focus on getting playmakers in space and utilizing its quick-tempo attack, the wide receiver group will be a key strength for the Buckeyes in 2025.
Defense: Reloading in the Secondary and Pass Rush
Ohio State’s defense took significant strides in 2024, and heading into 2025, they hope to continue that upward trajectory. The secondary, a group that has often been questioned in recent years, has shown considerable improvement. Cornerbacks Denzel Burke and Jordan Hancock are poised to be one of the best cornerback tandems in the Big Ten. Their ability to lock down opposing receivers will be critical for the Buckeyes’ success in a league known for its high-powered offenses.
Ohio State also returns key players in the front seven, including linebacker Tommy Eichenberg and defensive lineman J.T. Tuimoloau. Tuimoloau is one of the most disruptive players in the country and could be in line for a monster season. The defensive line remains stacked with talent, and Ohio State’s pass rush should be one of the most feared in college football.
Running Back: A Deep and Talented Group
While much of the focus will be on the passing game, Ohio State’s running back room is equally important. After the departure of standout running back Miyan Williams, the Buckeyes still have a deep and talented stable of running backs, with TreVeyon Henderson leading the charge. Henderson has the potential to be one of the top backs in the nation and will be counted on to complement the passing attack.
Two Heavyweights Poised for Another Battle
Coming out of spring practices, both Michigan and Ohio State have set themselves up for another exciting and competitive season in the Big Ten. While Michigan has the advantage of returning a more established team overall, especially on defense, Ohio State’s talent, particularly at quarterback and wide receiver, could make them an early favorite in the conference.
Both teams are looking to fill key gaps—Michigan with their new quarterback and Ohio State with the transition to a new signal-caller in the post-C.J. Stroud era. As the two teams prepare for the 2025 season, one thing is clear: the rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State remains as fierce as ever, and both programs will enter the season with national championship aspirations.
The road to the College Football Playoff runs through both of these programs, and it’s sure to be another unforgettable year in the Big Ten.
