3 Michigan Football players with the most to gain this spring

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 22: A Michigan Wolverines cheerleader waves a flag after a touchdown during the Michigan Wolverines game versus the Maryland Terrapins on November 22, 2025 at SECU Stadium in College Park, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

As Michigan Football enters its final week of spring practice, here are some players to watch for that could boost their profile in the new staff’s eyes.

WR Salesi Moa

According to Zach Shaw of 247Sports, head coach Kyle Whittingham had this to say on the talented Moa:

“Salesi Moa, our freshman wide receiver that just got here a few months ago, has done some really good things. I’m not saying that’s a surprise, but he’s really made strides.”

A highly ranked athlete as a recruit, Moa appears to have solidified himself as an offensive weapon for Michigan. It makes sense; this program has long struggled to develop and produce elite perimeter talent. And, outside of sophomore Andrew Marsh, this is an unproven receivers room.

Either Jaime Ffrench or J.J. Buchanan (who played tight end at Utah last season) figures to slot into that WR2 role, and likely the other as WR3. But neither is a certified star at this point, leaving room for someone like Moa to ascend this spring.

Moa is a smooth route-runner and uses his agility well to create separation. Quarterback Bryce Underwood needs all the help he can get to take that sophomore leap. Do not be surprised if Moa becomes more than a depth piece this fall.

OL Evan Link

Link was the primary starting right tackle during his 2024 sophomore campaign before moving over to left tackle in 2025, each of which came with mixed results. While Link has had a bit of a whirlwind career so far, he is still a trusted upperclassman along the offensive line, and his expected transition to guard should make life a bit easier (compared to tackle’s demands).

Regardless of your thoughts on Link, he needs to have a big season with the departures of Giovanni El-Hadi and Greg Crippen from the interior. Whittingham does have a bevy of talented youngsters, such as redshirt freshmen Andrew Babalola and Avery Gach, and true freshmen Malakai Lee and Marky Walbridge.

But none of those players have experienced Big Ten play like Link, and this spring portion needs to be his crash course on excelling at guard. The one thing that may hold this one back is that Link has been hurt for most of this spring, so hopefully he is able to come back prior to the end of spring ball and make a name for himself at another new position.

S Rod Moore

We all know what a healthy Rod Moore can produce as a ballhawking, versatile, mobile safety in the Wolverines’ defensive backfield.

An ACL tear in April 2024, and a further setback in 2025, have derailed the end of his Michigan tenure, but he can still be a difference-maker on defense. His progression is crucial as he can serve as a type of liaison between the returning players and an almost exclusively new coaching staff.

According to 247Sports’ Alejandro Zúñiga, Moore has been “doing everything” in spring ball, including contact drills. No, he is not like Moa, who still seeks to carve out a legacy in Ann Arbor. However, Moore still has plenty to gain in the health department and if he has hopes of a professional career beyond this season for the Wolverines, he will need to continue on this upward, healthy trajectory.

Plus, even with Zeke Berry and Jyaire Hill back at cornerback, Michigan still has two projected transfer starters in the secondary (Chris Brady and Smith Snowden) and Moore should be able to help integrate them into their new home.