Michigan’s 2025 season might not go down as a banner year in the program’s storied history, but it wasn’t without its bright spots. Amid the ups and downs, a handful of sophomores emerged as legitimate building blocks for the Wolverines’ future - players who didn’t just show promise, but made real, measurable leaps from their freshman campaigns. These are the kind of second-year jumps that coaching staffs dream about: more snaps, more production, more impact.
Here’s a closer look at five Michigan sophomores who took major steps forward in 2025 - and why their development matters moving forward.
RB Jordan Marshall - From Flash to Featured
Jordan Marshall didn’t just earn more playing time in 2025 - he became one of the most reliable weapons in Michigan’s offense. After logging just 57 snaps as a freshman, Marshall saw the field for 314 this season and made the most of every touch. According to Pro Football Focus, he ended the year as Michigan’s highest-graded offensive player - a clear sign of both consistency and impact.
Marshall rushed for 932 yards and 10 touchdowns on 150 carries, coming just shy of the 1,000-yard mark in the regular season. He also chipped in nine receptions for 92 yards - not gaudy receiving numbers, but enough to keep defenses honest.
What stands out, though, is how he earned those touches. Even while splitting time early in the year behind Justice Haynes, Marshall’s vision, burst, and ability to finish runs kept him on the field.
By season’s end, he wasn’t just a contributor - he was a difference-maker. His All-Big Ten honors (second-team media, third-team coaches) reflect that leap.
RT Andrew Sprague - Anchoring the Edge
Offensive line development doesn’t always show up in the box score, but Andrew Sprague’s growth was impossible to miss. After playing just 73 snaps in 2024, Sprague logged 740 this season - a massive workload increase for a second-year tackle. And while he still had moments that reminded you he’s young, Sprague held his own in the Big Ten trenches, improving his PFF grade from 63.9 to 69.4 and earning All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition from both coaches and media.
Michigan’s offensive identity has long been built on winning up front, and Sprague’s steady play at right tackle helped solidify a unit that got better as the season progressed. His consistency on the edge gave the Wolverines a foundation to work from, and his development is a big reason why the offensive line took a step forward in the back half of the year. Expect him to be a fixture in the starting five again in 2026.
RG Jake Guarnera - From Depth Piece to Dependable Starter
Jake Guarnera’s sophomore season was all about seizing opportunity. After appearing in just five games as a freshman, he jumped to 624 snaps in 2025 and held his own at right guard. Like Sprague, Guarnera earned All-Big Ten honorable mention honors, and while his PFF grade (68.7) didn’t jump off the page, it was a solid mark for a second-year lineman in one of the most physical conferences in the country.
What stood out most was his improvement over the course of the season. Guarnera got better with reps - his footwork, hand placement, and ability to pick up stunts all showed noticeable growth.
For a player who came into the year as a bit of a question mark, he finished it as a steady presence on the interior. If that trajectory continues, he could be one of Michigan’s most important linemen in 2026.
LB Cole Sullivan - Making Plays All Over the Field
Cole Sullivan didn’t have the cleanest stat sheet according to the grading services, but the eye test told a different story. After spending most of his freshman year on special teams, Sullivan became a key piece of the defense in 2025 - and his impact was hard to miss.
He finished the season with 37 tackles, five tackles for loss, three interceptions, and a fumble recovery - the kind of stat line that speaks to his versatility and nose for the football. Whether it was dropping into coverage, shooting a gap, or making a play in space, Sullivan consistently found ways to affect the game.
His instincts and athleticism flashed all season, and while there’s still room for refinement, the leap he made from year one to year two was significant. If he returns for another season, he could be one of the most dynamic defenders on the roster.
DB Mason Curtis - Quietly Excellent in Coverage
Mason Curtis might not have had the loudest season statistically, but his performance in coverage was one of the most encouraging developments on the defensive side of the ball. With a PFF grade of 77.6 overall - and an even stronger 78.8 in coverage - Curtis established himself as one of Michigan’s most reliable defensive backs.
After seeing 100 snaps in 2024, Curtis more than tripled that number in 2025, logging 369 snaps and delivering 34 tackles, one interception, one pass breakup, and a sack. He showed the kind of fluidity and awareness in coverage that’s hard to teach, and in a conference where passing offenses are only getting more sophisticated, his growth couldn’t have come at a better time.
With more development, Curtis has the tools to become a true shutdown presence in the secondary. Michigan will need him to take another step forward in 2026 - and if this season was any indication, he’s more than capable of doing just that.
Final Thoughts
While Michigan’s 2025 campaign might not be one fans will celebrate for years to come, the emergence of this sophomore core is a silver lining worth hanging onto. These five players didn’t just improve - they became foundational pieces for the Wolverines moving forward. If Michigan is going to climb back into the national conversation next season, it’ll be because players like Marshall, Sprague, Guarnera, Sullivan, and Curtis continue to build on the strides they made this year.
The future might not be guaranteed, but it’s definitely got some promise.