The Michigan Insider

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Behind the Uniform with Jordan Marshall: "We're Michigan... nobody cares about predictions" Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Behind the Uniform - Season 3 - we feature sophomore running back Jordan Marshall. The former Ohio high school player of the year reflects upon his decision to commit to Michigan over Ohio State, emphasizing the culture and people in Ann Arbor among the key reasons why. He recalls the emotions he felt during the coaching staff changes and explains why he maintained his commitment. The conversation turns to his freshman season, the memorable victory over Ohio State, and the significance of the rivalry especially to players from those states like himself. Marshall highlights his performance in the bowl game against Alabama before attention shifts to insights gleaned from Behind the Uniform's financial literacy boot camp. Marshall shares lessons learned from the "Playbook for Prosperity" seminar with the University of Michigan Credit Union stressing the importance of budgeting, and David Himich from The Himich Group at Morgan Stanley on long-term financial planning. The interview concludes with Marshall discussing his readiness for a leadership role in the offense, sharing his early impressions of Bryce Underwood, and sharing his reaction to Jeremiah Smith's promise that Ohio State will not lose Michigan again as long as he's in a Buckeye uniform.

Michigan football 2025 position group preview: Linebacker Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz continue their annual position group preview series, taking a look at the Michigan football team's linebacker room.

They open with a look at the room’s biggest strengths, including the physical, efficient duo of Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham, their tackling success, the improved depth of the room and the group’s size and strength.

They then look at some of the biggest question marks of the room, including a look at how some of that depth is utilized, the next steps for Hausmann and Barham and what to expect from the room’s underclassmen. They also look at position battles within the room, breakout players and season expectations for the group in 2025.

Michigan football 2025 position group preview: Edge Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz continue their annual position group preview series, taking a look at the Michigan football team's edge room.

They open with a look at the Wolverines’ exceptional pass-rushing ability, led by Derrick Moore and TJ Guy’s decisions to return to college for another season. They also look at Cameron Brandt and Dominic Nichols, who are next in line at the position.

They then turn their attention to the question marks of the room, including a fairly unproven group in stopping the run, questions about the players outside of the top four and a look at Derrick Moore’s potential in 2025. They also look at the biggest breakout players in the room, and make predictions for the position in 2025.

Behind the Uniform with Shamari Earls - Freshman CB aiming for early impact Aug 09, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Behind the Uniform - Season 3 - we feature freshman cornerback, Shamari Earls. One of the top ranked prospects in Michigan’s 2025 recruiting class, Earls discusses adjustment to college ball and his anticipation that he'll contribute significantly this season. He highlights the impact of film study and mentorship from coaches and teammates like Rod Moore, Brandyn Hillman, and Zeke Berry. He also reflects on his humbling and shining moments in practice, his growth in the playbook, and his physical growth thanks to Michigan's strength & conditioning and nutrition programs. The interview concludes with Earls sharing details of his recruiting efforts in his home state of Virginia and his expectation that the Wolverines will be adding more big time talent from the Commonwealth in the very near future.

Michigan football 2025 position group preview: Defensive line Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz continue their 2025 position group preview series, turning over to the defensive side of the ball and looking at Michigan’s defensive line room.

They open by looking at the strength of the room, highlighting the Wolverines’ exceptional size in the room, as well as plethora of college-ready players to hold down the key positions. They also discuss Rayshaun Benny’s star potential, as well as a seemingly strong core of six rotation players.

They also look at some of the biggest question marks of the room, including how much or little drop-off there is in Michigan’s six-man rotation, an intriguing former five-star prospect who transferred in and other curiosities. They close by looking at two potential breakout players, discussing if anyone else can crack the rotation and setting expectations for the room in 2025.

Michigan football 2025 position group preview: Offensive line Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz continue their position group preview podcast series, taking a look at what to expect from Michigan football’s offensive line this fall.

They take a look at two strengths of the room. Shaw outlines why the Wolverines have two of their team’s better leaders on the interior, and why that can make a difference during fall camp and the season ahead. Lorenz discusses the room’s overall talent level, depth and several players Michigan heavily pursued in recent recruiting classes.

In the question-mark segment, Shaw takes a look at Michigan’s young offense tackle room, while Lorenz ponders just what sort of fifth-year season Giovanni El-Hadi can have. They close the episode by looking at position battles brewing at left tackle and right guard, there choices for breakout players this fall, and where they would expect to rank this offensive line nationally this fall.

Michigan football 2025 position group preview: Tight end Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz continue their position group preview series with a lookout what to expect from Michigan’s tight ends this season.

They open with a look at the room’s strengths, including a captain and blocking force at H-back in Max Bredeson, a rising star at H-back in Jalen Hoffman and the all-around blocking that the room is expected to bring this fall.

They then turn to look at the question marks of the room, including what to expect from Marlin Klein this fall, and a look at the depth and future of the room. They then take a look at their shared breakout player for the room, the position battle for the second in-lne tight end job, and some general expectations for the room.

Michigan football 2025 position group preview: Wide reciever Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz continue their 2025 series previewing Michigan football at each position group, with an in-depth look at the Wolverines’ wide receiver room.

They begin with a look at Michigan’s improved numbers at the position, and the efforts the coaching staff put in to improve the room’s depth, size, experience and athleticism. They also look at some of the expected top-one receivers, and what they can bring this fall.

They continue by looking at the question marks of the room, including a debate over how much the room has improved. They discuss a brewing position battle at slot receiver, potential breakout players and set expectations for the room in 2025.

Behind the Uniform with Andrew Babalola - Freshman OT a rare talent; True threat to win starting job Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Behind the Uniform - Season 3 - we feature freshman offensive lineman, Andrew Babalola. One of the centerpieces of Michigan’s 2025 recruiting class, Babalola discusses both the excitement and the challenge of competing for a starting position in his first season as a Wolverine. He opens up about the beginning of his transition from high school to college during the spring. He highlights technical growth he's gained from Juan Castillo's tutelage. He also discusses the tough, physical, temperament he brings to the field thanks to his mother. The interview concludes with Babalola sharing his feeling that his class could be special by the time their Maize and Blue careers are over, and his feeling that every day is about preparing to beat Ohio State.

Michigan football 2025 season preview — Running back Aug 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz continue their annual position preview series with a look at the Michigan football team's running back room.

They open with a look at the biggest strengths of the room, which include Alabama transfer Justice Haynes, former top-100 recruit Joran Marshall and the verified athleticism the two combine to bring to the top of the room. They discuss how the two are both primed for breakout seasons, and how they can complement each other.

They also look at the biggest question marks of the room. Included is a discussion about consistency with Haynes, Marshall’s relative inexperience, and the position battle for the No. 3 running back role. They close by expanding on the top contenders for that spot and make predictions for the room this fall.

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