Skip to main content
Michigan

Michigan football WR Donaven McCulley switching to iconic No. 1 jersey

clayton-sayfieby: Clayton Sayfie07/29/25CSayf23
Donaven McCulley
Michigan Wolverines football wide receiver Donaven McCulley in the coveted No. 1 jersey. (Photo by Michigan football)

Michigan Wolverines football graduate wide receiver Donaven McCulley teased it in a social media post in April, but it wasn’t confirmed. Now, though, it looks closer to a done deal that the 6-foot-5, 200-pounder will wear the iconic No. 1 jersey in 2025, with the official Michigan football social media accounts posting a video from the team’s media day featuring a shot of McCulley in the digit.

McCulley spent the first four seasons of his career at Indiana, before transferring to Michigan in January.

The Indianapolis, Ind., native has worn multiple jersey numbers throughout his career. He started with No. 0 as a quarterback in 2021, before moving to No. 1 for the 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons.

McCulley was listed at No. 13 during Michigan’s spring practices, making the move to No. 1 later in the offseason.

Michigan has one other No. 1, but on defense — senior linebacker Jaishawn Barham.

The No. 1 jersey was made famous for Michigan wide receivers by Anthony Carter from 1979-82. A three-time All-American, Carter totaled 141 catches for 2,681 yards and 33 touchdowns in his four seasons with the Maize and Blue.

The No. 1 jersey was made iconic by Carter and kept up by Michigan receivers in the following years. Greg McMurty (1986-89), Derrick Alexander (1989-93), David Terrell (1998-2000) and Braylon Edwards (2001-04) continued the legacy.

Some other Michigan wide receivers donned the digit in the next two decades, but it wasn’t until Roman Wilson‘s big 2023 season that it really returned, with the Hawaii native helping the Wolverines win their 12th-ever national championship.

Wilson was No. 14 his first three seasons but took the No. 1 jersey and ran with it, hauling in 48 catches for 789 and 12 touchdowns. The biggest moment of his senior campaign came in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Alabama, when Wilson hauled in the game-tying touchdown catch late in the fourth quarter.

Here’s a look at the last six Michigan wide receivers to wear No. 1 before McCulley.

SeasonsMichigan WR
2023Roman Wilson
2021-22Andrel Anthony
2016-17Kekoa Crawford
2014Devin Funchess
2003-04Braylon Edwards
1998-2000David Terrell

McCulley has generated plenty of buzz since arriving at Michigan. This spring, position coach Ron Bellamy — a former Wolverine wideout and quite the program historian — said McCulley has the best chance of the current group to become the next great U-M wide receiver.

Michigan players have praised the way McCulley has worked, led and produced during the Wolverines’ offseason program.

“He’s really what we needed — the missing part that we [didn’t] have last year,” senior tight end Marlin Klein told TheWolverine.com. “We needed a big, tall, fast receiver that’s gonna make plays for us, have that dawg mentality. So, that’s what I’m enjoying seeing from him.

“I wouldn’t want to be a DB [going against McCulley]. He’ll take that top off, he’s gonna make a play for you. Even if he’s covered — he’s 6-5, he’s almost as tall as me — he’ll go up and get a ball, make a big play and go up and talk some smack after.”

McCulley is getting more and more comfortable at Michigan.

“For me, the transition has been great, just meeting new guys, a whole new team,” McCulley said. “At first, you don’t really know anything or know anybody around. Marlin is definitely one of the guys that helped me get acclimated and made it easy for me. I’m just looking forward to working the rest of the year with these guys.”

You may also like