Graduate wide receiver Donavan McCulley on how the offense looks, transferring from Indiana, more

The Michigan wide receiver room didn’t make much of an impact in 2024, and tight end Colston Loveland led the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns. The Wolverines brought in five new wideouts for 2025, including two transfers in Anthony Simpson (UMass) and Donavan McCulley (Indiana).

McCulley entered the portal in October after playing two games for the Hoosiers with two catches for 21 yards and a touchdown. In 2023, McCulley led Indiana in receptions (48), yards (644) and touchdowns (6).

Transfer WR Donavan McCulley shares why he chose Michigan

McCulley showed interest in the Wolverines last offseason, but opted to stay at Indiana and graduate. McCulley said the new additions in Ann Arbor helped make it an easy choice.

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“They kind of showed me what they wanted to do in the passing game, and bringing in coach (Chip) Lindsey, that helped a lot,” McCulley said. “Bringing in quarterbacks, and you got guys that can really throw the ball. I think that really helped me make a decision on coming here.”

Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey is entering his first season under the block M. Lindsey will look to revamp the passing game, but he also wants to make sure Michigan doesn’t lose its hard-nosed identity. McCulley said the offense is going to be explosive.

“Fast paced. We’re gonna throw the ball down the field, and I think that’s his vision,” McCulley said of Lindsey. “Of course we’re gonna set the line of scrimmage and stuff like that with the run game, but I think he really wants to get the ball down the field a lot more.”

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So who will be throwing the ball down the field for the Wolverines? Michigan might not name a starter for a few months, but it will most likely be freshman phenom Bryce Underwood. McCulley said he plans on being reliable for the first-year quarterback.

“He throws the ball really well,” McCulley said of Underwood. “When he gets out of the pocket, like I know he’s looking to throw the ball down the field, so I’m always going to be where he needs me to be, and that’s what I told him.”

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