Michigan names six captains ahead of 2025 season

On Thursday, the Michigan football team voted on and announced its captains for the upcoming 2025 season, which is now just over a week away. As always, the captains were selected via a player vote. This year’s Michigan team features a pair of two-time captains, marking just the second time in program history in which the Wolverines return at least two captains (Aidan Hutchinson, Andrew Vastardis and Josh Ross in 2020 and 2021).

[Sign up for Maize & Blue Review for $1 and get PLUS access for 7 days!]

Michigan’s four chosen captains will lead the Wolverines and Team 146 into what is an anticipated season of football in Ann Arbor. The Maize and Blue are just two years removed from winning the 2023 national championship, and despite finishing last season with a record of 8-5, fans feel as though a solid passing game will make a difference in getting Michigan back into the College Football Playoff discussion.

Let’s take a look at the six leaders Michigan players voted to be captains this season.

Max Bredeson, FB/TE, Senior

To no one’s surprise, Michigan fullback and tight end Max Bredeson is back for another season as captain in the winged helmet. Bredeson, a former high school quarterback, has long been one of the toughest players on the team, and his leadership is evident in more ways than one.

“Max was a captain last year and will be a captain again this year,” Sherrone Moore said at Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas earlier this offseason. “A guy that’s just tough, hard-nosed, blue-collar, that exemplifies everything you want — is a Michigan man.”

In his four-year Michigan career, Bredeson has 10 receptions for 121 yards and no touchdowns — and that’s just the way he likes it. Earlier this offseason, Bredeson said he prefers to keep his no-touchdown streak alive, allowing his teammates to enjoy the praise and attention that comes with finding the end zone.

Rod Moore, DB, Senior

Like Bredeson, fifth-year senior defensive back Rod Moore is back for a second year as captain for the Maize and Blue. Moore, who will change jersey numbers from No. 9 to No. 19 ahead of his fifth season, has been a focal point of the Michigan defense since his true freshman season in 2021.

Moore is a two-time All-Big Ten selection and has made 28 starts for Michigan in his career. After suffering a torn ACL and meniscus in the spring of 2024, Moore was forced to miss the entire 2024 season, which forced Moore to shift his role from an all-conference safety to a coaching and leadership role.

Despite not playing a single snap last season, Moore still fulfilled his duties as team captain, often being referred to as “coach Rod.”

This season, the fifth-year senior is still working his way back from injury. Sherrone Moore mentioned last week that Moore has “been in walk-throughs” and “looks like he’s slowly, steadily going to get into some practice stuff.”

Ernest Hausmann, LB, Senior

Hausmann is the only player on this list who began his career at another school. Transferring in from Nebraska after his freshman season in 2022, Hausmann was a key contributor for the Wolverines as a true sophomore in 2023, when Michigan won the national championship.

At Big Ten Media Days earlier this offseason, Sherrone Moore described Hausmann as “a guy who’s as selfless as anybody you could find — a guy that’s taken the reins as a leader in our program.”

In two years at Michigan, Hausmann has racked up 135 tackles with two sacks and an interception.

Derrick Moore, EDGE, Senior

Moore represented Michigan at Big Ten Media Days last month, and his presence and leadership up front for Michigan has been apparent for years now. Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, Moore has recorded at least two sacks in all three of his seasons in the winged helmet.

“Derrick Moore is just a guy that’s made an impact since the first day he came on campus, and he continues to do so on and off the field.”

Moore has registered 65 tackles, five pass deflections, and 11 sacks through his first three seasons at Michigan.

Giovanni El-Hadi, OL, Senior

Giovanni El-Hadi had an argument to be named captain last season, but with only four players being selected, Bredeson and Donovan Edwards earned the honor, with Kalel Mullings later being named an alternate captain.

This year, though, El-Hadi, a Sterling Heights, Michigan, native, has earned the honor of being named captain by his teammates. A fifth-year senior, the starting left guard will be a leader along the offensive line, which will prove to be the heartbeat of the football team this season.

Last week, Sherrone Moore confirmed that El-Hadi “would be a starter” at left guard.

Marlin Klein, TE, Redshirt Junior

Undoubtedly the most surprising name on this list, Marlin Klein has earned captaincy for the 2025 season. Klein, a 22-year-old from Cologne, Germany, has worked his way up the depth chart ever since arriving on campus.

At 6-foot-6 and 247 pounds, the tight end was named the team’s most improved player on offense in 2024. In his career, Klein has 14 receptions for 116 yards.

Earlier this offseason, tight ends coach Steve Casula called Klein “the best on-the-ball blocker as a tight end in college football.” 

Maize & Blue Review is a trusted source for fans and followers of Michigan Wolverines athletics. Dedicated to providing in-depth coverage, expert analysis, and up-to-date news, it serves as a comprehensive platform for everything related to Michigan sports. Whether you’re interested in football, basketball, or recruiting news, Maize & Blue Review offers insightful articles that keep fans informed and engaged.

The site also features interviews, opinion pieces, and multimedia content, making it a one-stop shop for true Wolverine enthusiasts.

For those wanting to stay even closer, consider subscribing here. Connect with us on social media: X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Whether casual reader or dedicated fan, Maize & Blue Review is the essential resource to stay connected with Michigan Wolverines athletics.