Donaven McCulley is getting a shot to showcase his skills on a national stage - and it's a well-earned opportunity. The former Michigan wide receiver has been added late to the Senior Bowl roster and will join practice on Friday before suiting up for the game on Saturday.
McCulley’s journey to this point has been anything but conventional. He started his college career at Indiana - not as a wideout, but as a quarterback.
In fact, he once started under center against Michigan. But after a position switch and a redshirt season in 2024 under new Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti, McCulley hit the transfer portal and found a new home in Ann Arbor.
At Michigan, McCulley slotted into the X receiver role and made an immediate impact. Over 13 games this season, he caught 39 passes for 588 yards, averaging 15.1 yards per catch and 45.2 yards per game. Those numbers don’t just tell the story of a solid contributor - they reflect a player who consistently found ways to stretch the field and make the most of his opportunities, even in an offense that often leaned on conservative play-calling.
That context matters. Michigan was led by true freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, and while Underwood showed flashes of big-time talent, the gameplans didn’t always allow the passing game to open up. Still, McCulley became one of Underwood’s most reliable targets, showing off a blend of size, speed, and route-running that made him tough to cover.
His breakout performance came in a win over Wisconsin, where he hauled in six catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. He also turned in a strong outing against Oklahoma, grabbing three passes for 91 yards. And it wasn’t just the big games - McCulley had at least three receptions in nine of Michigan’s 13 contests, a testament to his consistency and ability to get open.
Now, the Senior Bowl gives him a chance to turn heads at the next level. Sure, joining the event late means he’ll miss out on some valuable practice reps - the kind that helped fellow Wolverine Derrick Moore boost his draft stock earlier in the week - but McCulley will still get meaningful snaps against elite competition, with NFL scouts watching closely. That’s the kind of opportunity players dream about.
He’ll be one of three Michigan players in the game, alongside Moore and defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny. For McCulley, it’s not just about representing the Wolverines one more time - it’s about proving he belongs in the league. And with his athletic profile and growth as a receiver, he’s got a real shot to do just that.