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Michigan was able to win eight games in 2024 with a minimal passing attack. The Wolverines had the 131st-ranked passing attack in college football, while rotating between three different QBs. Michigan finally settled on the Week 1 starter, Davis Warren, but the Wolverines still managed little through the air.
The Wolverines' leading pass-catcher was TE Colston Loveland, who had 582 yards receiving. The leading WR? Tyler Morris with 248 yards. Michigan knew heading into 2025, it had to shore up its passing attack. The Wolverines landed five-star QB Bryce Underwood, added three WRs in the 2025 recruiting class, and brought in a couple of transfers as well.
According to CBS Sports, the one transfer who make or break Michigan's College Football Playoff hopes is Indiana transfer WR Donaven McCulley.
No Michigan wide receiver hit the 250-yard barrier last season. Only one (Tyler Morris) even had 150 yards receiving. The Wolverines must get better at receiver, especially when you consider tight end Colston Loveland (56 catches, 582 yards, 5 TDs) is off to the NFL. That's what makes McCulley so important. McCulley was one of the best pass catchers in the Big Ten two years ago, reeling in 48 passes for 644 yards and six touchdowns. But he only played two games for Indiana last year before opting to sit out and transfer. There's a big question mark around whether McCulley can recapture his 2023 form. If he can, the 6-5, 203-pounder is exactly the type of go-to target Michigan lacked in 2024. If not ... Michigan will have to hope anyone can step up for an unproven quarterback room.
The 6-foot-5 playmaker played in just four games for Curt Cignetti last season in Indiana. After not gaining much of a role, McCulley opted to transfer. But he has shown he's capable of making plays. In 2023, he led the Hoosiers' passing attack grabbing 48 catches for 644 yards and six touchdowns.
McCulley, who started his college career as a QB, is the big body Michigan hasn't had at WR in quite some time -- going back to Nico Collins. Fans already had a glimpse of what he can do during his lone catch at Michigan's Spring Game.
With Underwood behind center, he will likely look McCulley's way when in need of a big play.
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Major college football coach says athletes, society 'softer'
West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez didn't hold back on what he thought of his team and the "society" of the United States in general following the Mountaineers' second day of practice on Thursday. "I'm not trying to go on a political rant or whatever but, generally, we're softer as a society," Rodriguez told reporters, via Chris Anderson of 247Sports. "We're softer as athletes...b/c everything they're around is 'How can we make it easier for them' instead of make it hard on them to learn to get through hard times." The comments came after a practice where only two of the Mountaineers' running backs completed practice, per Mike J. Asti. Rodriguez is in his first season in his second stint with WVU. Things were a little different when he last coached the Mountaineers in 2007. There was no NIL, and coaches had more power over players in their program. Rodriguez thinks coaches and players are spoiled in the modern era of college football, as shared by Anderson. "Have you been through this building? Have you seen how we eat? They got it pretty well," Rodriguez said. "They live in a fantasy world. Coaches do, too. We want for nothing. "You want food? You want medical health? You want job help? You want financial help? Cold tubs? Hot tubs? We even got an ice cream machine...free! Probably even got the sprinkles to put on it. They got it pretty good, and now they're getting paid." College athletes do have it better than ever, at least materially. Based on the lucrative TV contracts surrounding the sport, the product hasn't suffered despite the increasing entitlements for players. But that can easily change if the new generation refuses to practice.
Jeff Hafley hints at Lukas Van Ness growing into a problem
Luka Van Ness has been through two seasons in the NFL, but the Green Bay Packers linebacker hasn’t quite yet lived up to the hype that came with him when the team took him 13th overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. In his rookie season, the former Iowa Hawkeyes star played in 17 games and recorded four sacks. He took a step back in 2024, recording just three sacks in 17 games. His Pro Football Focus grade slid down from 64.0 in 2023 to 53.8 in 2024. But at least he’s been durable for Green Bay, having not missed a game thus far in his career. Availability is one thing, though. It’s what he does when he’s on the field that the Packers want to see improve. Year 3 for Van Ness could be where he truly breaks out, an exciting thought for the Packers, who were 12th in 2024 with a defensive sack rate of 7.42 percent. Packers DC shares 2025 outlook for Van Ness Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who is entering his second year in the role with the team, is feeling optimistic about Van Ness. Here’s what Hafley said about Van Ness, via Green Bay’s official website). “He’s a year older. He’s got another year in the scheme. I think he’s starting to understand the position, how to use his hands, how to set edges, some pass rush tools, some counter moves. It was a good offseason for him truthfully. He did a good job at OTAs and then he left here and he put in a lot of work. He came back in really good shape, he’s healthy. I think he’s starting to feel comfortable. DeMarcus (Covington) has done a really good job with him and that entire group, but again, it’s still early.” At just 24 years old, Van Ness likely hasn’t reached his peak yet, and if he does take a leap in 2025, that should be a huge plus for the Packers.
Report: Knicks made a signing based on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade belief
The New York Knicks aren't waiting for the offseason drama surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks to end before taking care of a key signing for their roster this summer. Per Shams Charania of ESPN, the Knicks signed Mikal Bridges to a four-year deal worth $150M on Thursday. "New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges has agreed to a four-year, $150 million contract extension with the franchise, agents Sam Goldfeder and Jordan Gertler of Excel Sports Management tell ESPN," Charania posted on X. "The new deal includes a player option for 2029-30 and a trade kicker." Bridges' extension might not have happened if the Knicks believed they had a serious shot to land an elite player in a trade this summer. Per Ashish Mathur of Hoops Wire, the Knicks made their decision to sign Bridges to a new deal after they learned Antetokounmpo plans to stay in Milwaukee. "The New York Knicks got intel that Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t request a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks before signing Mikal Bridges to an extension, an NBA source told Hoops Wire on Thursday," Mathur wrote. "...The Knicks would have pursued Giannis Antetokounmpo had the two-time MVP requested a trade from the Bucks. All signs point toward Antetokounmpo remaining in Milwaukee." Due to the player option Bridges has in his new deal, the guard cannot be traded for at least six months. Mathur's report signals the reality that New York wants to land another star to pair with Jalen Brunson. However, the Knicks might not make a big splash until the trade deadline next year. The Knicks need a big man who can score and play defense at a high level in the playoffs, something Karl-Anthony Towns was unable to do in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Terry McLaurin’s trade request somehow ends with the Cowboys getting clowned
There's no way of sugarcoating the Washington Commanders' contract standoff with Terry McLaurin. It is, in a word, unfortunate. Coming off of their best season in more than 30 years, the fan-favorite wide receiver is unhappy with contract negotiations and has now officially requested a trade. It's been a stunning, disheartening development that has derailed a significant chunk of the positive energy in D.C. this offseason. If it's any solace, there is one thing Washington can do — always. That, of course, is laughing at the Dallas Cowboys for managing to screw things up even worse with one of their superstars. Micah Parsons' drama makes Commanders' Terry McLaurin saga look like standard business Leave it to Jerry Jones to come through in the clutch by alienating one of his best players right as Washington's dysfunction had taken center stage. That's what has happened with Micah Parsons, who officially let it be known that he no longer wants to be in Dallas. This does not read as a negotiating tactic, the way McLaurin's situation can still be interpreted as. It doesn't read as if there's any chance Parsons' relationship with the Cowboys can still be repaired. It reads as "This is personal, and I'm out." There's also much less of a leg to stand on here from Dallas' standpoint. With McLaurin, at least the Commanders' front office can contend that he's a month away from being on the wrong side of 30 years old and is asking for more money than he may be worth a few years from now. Parsons, on the other hand, is only seeking his second NFL contract. In theory, it should take him through the peak of his career. The former Penn State standout, who is already a two-time All-Pro in only four seasons, should be getting the type of deal that's richer than any player at his position before him. Most teams in the NFL would have no problems ponying up the cash, but not the Cowboys. Jones has made a history of stringing players along when it comes to contract talks. CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott were the most recent examples last summer. That may work with some players, but Parsons is having none of it. The funniest outcome that could come from this, of course, is that Parsons ends up in Washington. It's doubtful that either team would trade their disgruntled star within the division, but if it reaches the point of no return with McLaurin, Adam Peters has a solid head start on a package for him. It's also worth noting that the 2021 first-round pick still maintains a close relationship with Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, his former defensive coordinator. Regardless, this was the best news any Commanders fan could have hoped for. Not only does the rest of the NFL move on from talking about McLaurin, but it comes at the expense of Washington's biggest rival. More Commanders news and analysis
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