The 2025 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl is shaping up to be far more than a standard postseason matchup for Michigan. It’s a pressure cooker, a proving ground, and, frankly, a glimpse into what’s next for a program in the middle of a full-blown identity shift.
With the firing of head coach Sherrone Moore in mid-December, Michigan finds itself in transition mode heading into its New Year’s Eve showdown with No. 13 Texas.
What was once a chance to cap off a strong season has quickly become a test of resilience, depth, and future direction. The Wolverines, ranked No. 18, are no longer just playing for a bowl win-they’re playing to see who’s ready to carry the torch into 2026.
Key Departures: The Core Is Missing
Let’s start with who won’t be taking the field in Orlando, because the list is short but significant.
Derrick Moore, Michigan’s premier edge rusher and the Big Ten’s sack leader during conference play, is sitting out to preserve his NFL Draft stock. That’s a major blow-Moore was the engine of Michigan’s pass rush, and his absence removes a level of disruption that simply can’t be replicated overnight.
Then there’s Jaishawn Barham, the hybrid linebacker/edge who evolved into a dynamic playmaker this season. His versatility made life difficult for opposing offenses, and without him, Michigan loses a key chess piece in its front seven.
On the offensive side, Giovanni El-Hadi-a 51-game veteran and All-Big Ten interior lineman-is also opting out. His departure leaves a leadership and experience void on the offensive line, a unit already adjusting to new play-calling under interim offensive coordinator Steve Casula.
Beyond the draft-related opt-outs, the transfer portal has chipped away at Michigan’s depth. Sophomore wide receiver Fredrick Moore and quarterback Jadyn Davis have both decided to move on, leaving the Wolverines thinner at two key skill positions.
What It Means: A Hit to Michigan’s Identity
Let’s be clear-this isn’t just about missing a few starters. Michigan’s defensive identity, built on physicality and front-line dominance, is taking a direct hit.
The Wolverines wrapped up the regular season ranked 13th in rushing defense and 16th in scoring defense. That was their calling card.
Now, without Moore and Barham-who combined for 14 sacks-Michigan is missing its top two disruptors at the line of scrimmage. And they’re about to face a Texas offense led by Arch Manning that doesn’t need much help finding the end zone.
This puts interim head coach Biff Poggi in a unique spot. With so many moving pieces, the Citrus Bowl becomes less about the result and more about the process.
For Poggi and Casula, this is a live audition. Every decision, every adjustment, every snap is a data point for Michigan’s next era.
The Youth Movement: Freshmen in the Fire
But here’s where things get interesting. With veterans stepping aside, Michigan’s younger talent now gets a chance to step into the spotlight-and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
On defense, TJ Guy will be counted on to help fill the void on the edge, but keep an eye on rising names like Cameron Brandt and Enow Etta. These aren’t just depth pieces-they’re potential building blocks. This game gives them a chance to show they’re ready to be more than just rotational guys next season.
Offensively, Andrew Sprague, a true freshman and the crown jewel of Michigan’s 2024 offensive line class, is expected to see his most meaningful action yet. That’s no small task, especially against a Texas front that-despite its own opt-outs-still brings size and speed. But for Sprague, this is the kind of trial by fire that can accelerate development in a big way.
More Than a Bowl Game
Let’s call it what it is: the Citrus Bowl isn’t just a season finale. It’s a bridge to the future. Michigan isn’t just trying to win a game-they’re trying to prove that their culture, their development pipeline, and their identity can withstand the turbulence of a coaching shakeup and roster turnover.
Every freshman snap in Orlando is a glimpse into what Michigan could look like next fall. Every play call is a test for a staff trying to earn a longer leash. And every drive is a chance for this program to show it’s still standing, still fighting, and still building-no matter how chaotic the offseason might be.
The Wolverines may not be at full strength, but they’re not folding. They’re evolving. And on New Year’s Eve, we’ll get our first real look at what that evolution might look like.