With the regular season in the books and Michigan finishing 9-3, the final Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades offer a clear window into the story we watched unfold each Saturday: a young team learning on the fly, a defense doing the heavy lifting, and an offense flashing potential while working through the inevitable bumps that come with youth.
Before the attention shifts fully to bowl prep and the offseason carousel, let’s take a closer look at the data - snap counts and PFF grades - to see who stepped up, who showed growth, and where this program’s foundation is quietly being built for the long haul.
Offensive Breakdown: A Backfield Built for the Big Ten
Michigan’s offense was fueled by its backfield, and the numbers back it up. Jordan Marshall and Justice Haynes didn’t just carry the ball - they carried the identity of this offense.
Haynes was the lead man through Week 9, piling up 857 yards and 10 touchdowns on 121 carries before an injury against Michigan State sidelined him. His 81.2 grade reflects just how impactful he was.
Then Marshall took the baton and kept the engine running. In fact, he may have kicked it up a notch.
He finished with 932 yards and 10 scores on 150 carries, earning an elite 85.5 grade - the highest of any offensive player on the roster. For a freshman, that’s not just promising - that’s program-changing.
In the passing game, another freshman made waves. Wide receiver Andrew Marsh became Bryce Underwood’s go-to target, and his 81.3 receiving grade tells the story. Marsh was reliable, explosive when needed, and looked every bit like a future star.
As for Underwood, the raw stats don’t capture the full picture. His 74.0 grade reflects the growing pains of a true freshman quarterback in the Big Ten.
There were ups and downs, but the trajectory matters - and his pocket presence and decision-making noticeably improved as the season progressed. Michigan’s faith in him looks well-placed.
Up front, Max Bredeson was the tone-setter. He led the team in both pass-blocking (78.0) and run-blocking (84.3), anchoring a line that, while young and inconsistent at times, showed flashes of cohesion. Nathan Efobi, in limited action, posted the top pass-blocking grade among linemen - a sign that depth and development are trending in the right direction.
Overall, while the offense had its sputters, the pieces are there. Freshmen were asked to be more than just contributors - they were focal points. And more often than not, they delivered.
Defensive Breakdown: Derrick Moore and the Disruptors
If the offense was learning on the job, the defense was the steadying force. And it all started with Derrick Moore.
Moore didn’t just lead the team - he dominated. His 92.2 pass rush grade placed him among the top-10 edge defenders in the country.
His 89.7 overall grade was the best on the roster, and his impact was felt weekly. Whether it was collapsing the pocket or forcing hurried throws, Moore was a game-wrecker.
Inside, Rayshaun Benny and Jaishawn Barham were the anchors. Barham’s run-stopping ability stood out all season, while Benny provided the most consistent presence on the interior. Together, they gave Michigan a stout foundation against the run.
The secondary, meanwhile, quietly became one of the most reliable units on the team. Brandyn Hillman led all defenders with an 80.9 coverage grade, while Jyaire Hill and Mason Curtis also posted strong numbers in coverage. In a conference where defensive backs are constantly tested, this group held up - even when the pass rush didn’t get home.
Injuries forced younger players like Jayden Sanders and Dominic Nichols into bigger roles, and while their grades weren’t elite, they held their own. That’s no small feat in a conference known for physicality and depth. Michigan didn’t just rotate players - it trusted underclassmen in meaningful spots, a sign of long-term planning.
Even among the lower-graded defenders, the snap counts show that development was prioritized. These weren’t garbage-time reps - they were high-leverage moments. And for a team building toward sustained success, that kind of experience is invaluable.
Looking Ahead: A Program in Transition, Not Decline
Michigan didn’t meet the loftiest expectations this year, but the numbers tell a more nuanced story than a single loss to Ohio State ever could. This was a young team, still finding its identity, leaning on a defense that kept them in games and an offense that, while inconsistent, showed real flashes of what’s to come.
The key now? Retention.
If Michigan can avoid a mass exodus in the transfer portal, the foundation is already in place for a serious leap in 2026. Ten wins are still on the table, and perhaps more importantly, so is momentum heading into what promises to be a pivotal offseason.
This wasn’t a step back. It was a season of growth - sometimes painful, often promising - and the kind of year that can quietly lay the groundwork for something bigger.