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Michigan freshman tight end expected to make big jump

The future of the tight end room is looking good for Michigan football.

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freshman tight end, tight end, Jim Harbaugh, Michigan football
Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh celebrates on the sideline after beating Ohio State Buckeyes 42-27 in a NCAA College football at Michigan Stadium at Ann Arbor, Mi on November 27, 2021. Osu21um Kwr 34

Elite tight end play and the Michigan football program have become synonymous over the last few years. This rings especially true since coach Jim Harbaugh joined the program, consistently sending players from that position to the NFL year after year. The list ranges from Jake Butt in 2016 to Luke Schoonmaker this past season. Now, it appears the Wolverines may have found yet another future example in freshman tight end Zack Marshall.

The freshman tight end was elite in high school

From the moment Michigan football offered Zack Marshall in July 2022, it was clear that he was ready to be a Wolverine. He committed to the program just a couple of weeks later and never waivered from his commitment, officially signing on with the maize and blue in December 2022.

Coming out of high school, he was rated as a three-star prospect out of California. According to 247Sports, he was the No. 541 player and the No. 33 athlete in the country. He was listed as the No. 45 player in California, a state known to consistently produce some of the best talent in the country each year. He’s currently listed at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds and consistently shows elite athleticism while on the football field.

In his junior season, he recorded 44 receptions for 1,012 yards and nine touchdowns at Santa Fe Christian. Unfortunately, his senior year was shortened as he transferred schools and was required to sit out his first four games. Despite this, he still recorded 23 catches for 284 yards, five touchdowns and one passing touchdown.

Jim Harbaugh had some high praise for Marshall

Every year, it comes as no surprise when coach Jim Harbaugh goes out of his way to talk about each of the incoming freshmen following National Signing Day. Still, when he goes as far as comparing an incoming to a current leader on the Michigan football team, it’s hard not to take notice.

“He’s one of these 17-year-olds that we — you just got to say if they’re 17 compared to somebody who’s 18 or 19, they’ve got another year man growth,” Harbaugh began while talking about freshman tight end back in December. “When they can be as good as somebody who’s a year older or two years older, because a lot of kids these days, they read that book by Malcolm Gladwell, I think, and I guess parents are smart to do that, but doesn’t mean we don’t have to be dumb and know that — we know their ages. And you know when a 17-year-old’s as good or better than 18 or 19 year olds, he’s gonna get better than that 18- and 19-year-old and it’s going to happen fast.”

“Because the year of man-growth comes around 18, 19 years old,” he continued. “And Rod Moore would be a terrific example of that. I mean, Rod Moore, three-star — what, you’re missing out on the five-star who’s 19 years old, I’m looking at and going I’ll take Rod Moore, because I know if he was gonna stay in high school for two more years, he probably be a five-star by the time he was a senior. But I know he’s gonna be — and as a matter of fact, Rod Moore started here as a freshman. So, it happens quick.”

Will Zack Marshall end up starting his freshman year? Likely, no. He didn’t get on the field for the spring game, and this probably comes due to depth in the tight end room. Still, he has the pieces to become a special player in a year or two. Only time will tell, but if Harbaugh is confident, I am too.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

FOOTBALL

2 new Michigan football transfer portal commits earn high praise from CBS Sports

Today, two Michigan football transfer portal pick ups were named Big Ten impact players.

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Michigan football transfer portal, Ernest Hausmann, Josaiah Stewart
Nov 18, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; An Michigan Wolverines helmet during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

This week, a list of the most impactful Big Ten transfers was released. On this prestigious list are two new Michigan football transfer portal commits — Ernest Hausmann and Josaiah Stewart — both of whom are expected to come in and boost the Wolverines’ chances of winning a national championship in their first year with the Maize and Blue. Alongside these two new Wolverines is an old one: Cade McNamara, who transferred to Iowa after losing the starting job to JJ McCarthy in 2022.

Michigan football transfer portal additions turning heads nationally

Since joining the Maize and Blue, two names have garnered significant attention: Josaiah Stewart and Ernest Hausmann. Both of these young men have shown immense talent and are expected to make a substantial impact on the Michigan football team this fall.

If they live up to expectations, they have a good chance of earning spots among the All-Big Ten selections and beyond. This week, a new CBS Sports report named both young men ‘impact’ Big Ten transfers, adding to the hype surrounding the Wolverines’ 2023 transfer portal class.

Ernest Hausmann named a Big Ten impact transfer portal commit

Ernest Hausmann has been one of the most talked about players in recent Michigan football history. The Wolverines needed a new linebacker, and at the time, Hausmann was the No. 1 player in the transfer portal. With that, Jim Harbaugh aimed high, and locked down the former Nebraska Cornhuskers for himself.

Since becoming a new Michigan football transfer portal commit, Hausmann has been turning heads in Ann Arbor, and is earning tons of respect among his peers in the Maize and Blue.

“His natural athletic ability. He’s smart, fast, can move,” said senior linebacker Michael Barrett earlier this year. “How fast he’s learning the defense, coming along with our guys, blending in, meshing together well with everyone. He’s gonna be a great player. I like his enthusiasm, the way he flies around at practice. He always has a smile on his face. He’s going to bring something to this team.”

Josaiah Stewart is hungry and ready to prove himself

Another significant addition to the Michigan football team via the transfer portal this offseason was Josaiah Stewart, a former standout pass rusher from Coastal Carolina. Despite being considered undersized for an edge rusher, Stewart has showcased his skills throughout his young college football career and is generating a great deal of excitement as he prepares for his first season with a Power Five school.

Despite concerns about his size, experience, and talent, Stewart remains focused and determined to prove himself on a national stage with one of the top programs in the nation. According to Stewart himself, he is fully committed to helping the Maize and Blue pursue a national championship in his very first year in Ann Arbor this upcoming fall.

“You can tell [Michigan football] is a winning environment,” Stewart said. “You can tell how seriously they take winning here, and we all know what the goal is — it’s not just the Big Ten Championship, it’s a national championship. And you can feel that as soon as you walk in the building.”



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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BREAKING: Full 2024 and 2025 Michigan football Big Ten schedules released

Here is the full 2024 and 2025 Big Ten schedule for Michigan football.

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Michigan football schedule, Big Ten

The 2024 and 2025 Michigan football Big Ten schedules have just been announced. With the addition of USC and UCLA to the Big Ten conference, the Maize and Blue’s schedules have undergone some changes. However, these adjustments have resulted in intriguing matchups for Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines. Let’s take a look at who Michigan will be facing now that UCLA and USC are members of the Big Ten:

2024 Michigan football schedule

Following this season, the Michigan football schedule for 2024 gets pretty exciting, including a road trip to LA to face USC, and a home game against the UCLA Bruins. Here is the full 2024 schedule as of right now (no order).

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  • Maryland
  • Michigan State
  • Minnesota
  • UCLA
  • Wisconsin

AWAY

2025 Michigan football schedule

For year two of the new-look Big Ten conference slate, here is who is on the 2025 Michigan football schedule (no order).

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FLEX opponents

Under the new Big Ten scheduling rules, each program will have three opponents that they must face at home and on the road, as well as two protected games. Here is who the Wolverines have as flex opponents in 2024 and 2025.

FLEX: Maryland

PROTECTED RIVALRY: Michigan State, Ohio State



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JUST IN: Michigan football will play USC and UCLA in 2024

New reports show that Michigan football will face both USC and UCLA in 2024.

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Michigan football, USC, UCLA, Big Ten
Jan 1, 2007; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback (7) Chad Henne is pressured by Southern California Trojans defensive end (96) Lawrence Jackson and defensive end (84) Kyle Moore in the third quarter of the Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2007 Mark J. Rebilas

Exciting news has emerged regarding the 2024 Big Ten football schedule, as some details have been revealed, highlighting two highly anticipated matchups for Michigan football. The latest information, leaked by Brett Murphey, discloses that the Maize and Blue will be taking on two of the conference’s newest additions — USC and UCLA — next season, with one game scheduled to take place in Los Angeles and the other in the iconic football town of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Although specific dates and times are yet to be announced, these games already hold great significance for both Michigan and their West Coast opponents.

New Michigan football opponents for the 2024 season

The Wolverines will embark on a journey to face the USC Trojans in the grand city of Los Angeles. This meeting between the two storied programs promises to be a historic matchup, reminiscent of their legendary battles in the revered Rose Bowl game.

As the Maize and Blue make their way to the West Coast, they will undoubtedly bring with them a rich football tradition, while also encountering the vibrant atmosphere and passionate Trojan fanbase. The clash between these two titans of the gridiron will captivate football enthusiasts nationwide, evoking memories of classic contests and igniting new rivalries.

On the other hand, the UCLA Bruins will venture into the heart of Big Ten country, stepping foot in the illustrious Big House in Ann Arbor for the very first time. This encounter carries special significance, as PAC-12 programs rarely venture into the traditional domain of the Big Ten.

The Bruins’ visit to Ann Arbor will not only test their mettle against a formidable Michigan squad but also expose them to the elements of a potential October or November game.

Cold weather may pose a threat to LA-based teams

With colder temperatures prevailing during those months, the Bruins, hailing from the sunny city of Los Angeles, will face an additional challenge adapting to the unforgiving climate of the Midwest. Consequently, this contest will be watched closely by fans across the nation, eager to witness how the LA-based program fares against a formidable opponent in a different environment.

As anticipation builds for the 2024 season, these matchups between the Michigan Wolverines and the newly added West Coast teams, USC and UCLA, have generated tremendous excitement.

Football enthusiasts eagerly await the announcement of specific dates and times, eagerly marking their calendars for these highly anticipated clashes. Whether it’s the clash between two historic powerhouses in Los Angeles or the Bruins’ inaugural visit to the Big House, these games will undoubtedly serve as major highlights of the upcoming season, showcasing the rich tapestry of college football and the enthralling competition that lies ahead.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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