This offseason, Michigan football brought in a lot of help via the transfer portal, with both sides of the ball getting attention. Though the offense needs more work than the defense, the depth of the defensive side of the ball has been certainly bolstered -- even at positions of strength.

If it’s true a positive performance in a bowl game can be a springboard into the next season, then Michigan’s defensive players must be feeling pretty good.

Michigan football started out spring ball on Tuesday and had its first of 15 practices (including the spring game on April 19) in preparation for the 2025 season. The deeper side of the ball between offense and defense definitely appears to be the latter as the majority of players who will either start or be in deep rotation dominated in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama in December.