Michigan's football team delivered a decisive 24-7 victory over Washington on Saturday, and the spotlight was squarely on the freshmen who stepped up to make it happen. But here's where it gets controversial: while some fans celebrate the immediate impact of these young players, others question whether burning redshirts so early in the season is a wise long-term strategy. Safety/nickel Jordan Young officially burned his redshirt in this game, while wide receiver Jamar Browder, linebacker Chase Taylor, and cornerback Shamari Earls are now just one game away from doing the same. Is this a sign of Michigan's depth—or a risky gamble on unproven talent?
Below is the full list of freshmen who have seen playing time this season. An asterisk (*) indicates they played against Washington:
- QB Bryce Underwood (7 games)
- RB Jasper Parker (3 games)
- WR Andrew Marsh (7 games)
- WR Jacob Washington (1 game)
- WR Jamar Browder (4 games)
- TE Eli Owens (1 game)
- OL Avery Gach (1 game)
- OL Kaden Strayhorn (1 game)
- OL Ty Haywood (1 game)
- Edge Nate Marshall (6 games)
- DL Benny Patterson (4 games)
- DL Travis Moten (1 game)
- DL Bobby Kanka (1 game)
- LB Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng (2 games)
- LB Chase Taylor (4 games)
- DB Elijah Dotson (6 games)
- DB Jordan Young (5 games)
- DB Jayden Sanders (7 games)
- DB Shamari Earls (4 games)
- DB Kainoa Winston (1 game)
The chemistry between quarterback Bryce Underwood and wide receiver Andrew Marsh continues to shine. While Underwood leaned more on his tight ends in this game, Marsh still delivered with five catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. And this is the part most people miss: Marsh isn’t just a reliable target—he’s becoming a cornerstone of Michigan’s offensive strategy. The coaching staff would be wise to keep expanding his role, especially given the trust he’s earned from his quarterback.
Underwood, however, isn’t without flaws. He made a costly mistake by running out of bounds for a self-sack instead of throwing the ball away—a classic young player error. But let’s not forget: he still completed 21-of-27 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns, despite some dropped passes. Is he the future of Michigan’s offense, or is he being thrust into the spotlight too soon? Let’s discuss in the comments.
On the defensive side, Michigan’s freshmen continue to get valuable reps. Jayden Sanders recorded one tackle, but the other young defensive backs didn’t post significant stats. The freshmen linebackers, meanwhile, saw action primarily on special teams, which makes sense given the team’s depth at that position. But here’s a thought-provoking question: Are these young defenders being underutilized, or is Michigan wisely easing them into the college game?
Looking ahead, Michigan will need even more from these freshmen when they face East Lansing next weekend. With Justice Haynes’ availability still uncertain, freshman running back Jasper Parker could see an expanded role after his six carries for 20 yards against Washington. Will he rise to the occasion, or is this too much pressure for a first-year player? Share your thoughts below—this is a conversation worth having.
