Michigan football WR room: Inside Andrew Marsh’s breakout, other developing freshmen

ANN ARBOR – The Michigan Wolverines came into the season with uncertainty at wide receiver in terms of who would step up and make plays. Grad transfer Donaven McCulley was somewhat of a known commodity, but snaps were up for grabs everywhere, even well into the start of the 2025 season.

During the first bye week between the Nebraska and Wisconsin wins, Michigan found a solution in true freshman Andrew Marsh, who has posted 17 catches for 267 yards and 2 touchdowns in October thus far. He has become a reliable and productive target in the U-M passing game a little more than halfway through his freshman campaign.

“He’s a fetcher,” wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy said on Wednesday afternoon. “The ball’s in the air, and he goes and gets it. For a young guy, he’s detailed and spends a lot of time perfecting his craft — film, jugs machine, footwork. He asks questions and always wants to know the why and the how. When a young man has that mindset, he’s going to be successful.”

For a passing that has struggled with drops throughout the season – 16 as a team, to be accurate – Marsh has not had any of them. And outside of a play in the season opener that would have been a touchdown if he knew the ball was coming to him, he has checked almost every box.

“It’s great,” Bellamy said. “He continues to chase details and work hard every day. He shows up with a smile and wants to get better. It’s my job to keep challenging him and make sure he plays with confidence, as we say, ‘in the backyard.’

Michigan has been adamant that its depth chart is a “living, breathing organism” that could always change. But it seems like its top two guys are set, despite the perpetual competition.

“Every day’s a competition. The guys saw Andrew move up and know they have to practice well to get their shot. Donaven and Andrew are playing well. We’re always creating competition.”

Having a true freshman standout can also help Michigan on the recruiting trail, but the staff has always sold a path to early playing time if the talent and execution is there.

“If you’re talented, you’ll play, freshman or not,” Bellamy said. “We don’t discriminate by class. You just have to be ready, confident, and detailed. We never want to rush a kid and risk losing confidence, so we make sure they’re ready before they play. From a recruiting standpoint, that’s a great message. We’re not afraid to play freshmen if they’re ready. Rod Moore did it in his freshman year [when Bellamy coached the safeties], and now Marsh and [Jamar] Browder are doing it too.”

Browder has been mentioned as a rising player who could earn more of an opportunity, but is currently playing the role of understudy to McCulley in the Michigan offense.

“Jamar’s been working hard and having great practices,” Bellamy said. “He’s young but very talented. He backs up McCulley, who’s been a great mentor. It’s only a matter of time before Jamar starts getting more snaps.”

One freshman who has not been mentioned much this year is Jacob Washington, another four-star signee in the 2025 class. His development has been more of a slow burn due to his late arrival, but he is coming along.

“Jacob’s going to be really good,” Bellamy said. “He’s 6-3, can run, makes plays. Right now, he’s on the scout team, just working and learning. He came in later than Marsh and Browder, but now he’s grasping things and building confidence. He’s coming along nicely.”

Latest on Donaven McCulley, Semaj Morgan

Michigan’s two most productive veterans, McCulley and Semaj Morgan, have still had big roles in the offense despite the breakout of Marsh. Morgan has drawn criticism due to a team-high 6 drops, but Bellamy still has faith he will continue to contribute and make plays.

With Marsh’s emergence, Morgan still fills a need at slot receiver for the Wolverines with no other clear-cut options. It is important for them moving forward to keep him confident.

“Semaj is confident,” Bellamy said. “We just keep reminding him that every ball is an opportunity. You can’t worry about outside noise, just keep chasing the ‘how.’ He’s staying on the jugs machine, working after practice with Bryce. We just keep building his confidence up.

“…He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands and a playmaker who makes things happen.”

McCulley’s presence in the Michigan passing game has given them a much-needed target down the field and along the sideline as someone who can grab a jump ball. Even with his experience, Bellamy says he is still learning the ins and outs of the position and developing a complete skill-set.

“At 6-5, he’s freakishly athletic,” Bellamy said. “You saw it on that sideline play against Wisconsin. He’s become a more detailed route runner. He was a quarterback in high school and early in college, so he’s still learning the position and the offense. You treat him like a young receiver, but his confidence keeps growing every week.”

Michigan gave him a chance to show off his arm on a trick play that was nearly intercepted last week against Washington. He was given grief about that.

“Trick play,” Bellamy laughed. “I told him, “What a throw… what a bad throw.” Just teasing him. He laughed. It’s something we tried and didn’t execute, but he gives us the ability to do things like that.”