Season Review: 2024 Michigan Football
1/24/2025 10:00:00 AM | Football
• Team Captains: Max Bredeson, Donovan Edwards, Rod Moore, Makari Paige
• Record: 8-5, 5-4 Big Ten Conference (T7th)
• Final Rankings: Unranked
• Postseason: ReliaQuest Bowl (19-13 Win vs. Alabama)
The 2024 season included its ups and downs for the University of Michigan Football program but was ultimately a success in the first season under head coach Sherrone Moore. The Wolverines compiled eight wins, won all their rivalry games and trophy game matchups, and secured a postseason bowl game victory.
The team saw five athletes gain All-America honors while several Wolverines set career and single-season program records. Fifteen athletes were recognized as All-Big Ten performers.
Team Highlights
• Four Straight Over Ohio State: Entering the game as underdogs against the No. 2-ranked Buckeyes, the Wolverines paid no mind to public opinion and earned a 13-10 win. It marked four consecutive victories for U-M in "The Game," the program's longest streak since 1988-91. The defense led the way, shutting out OSU in the second half after producing key interceptions from Aamir Hall and Makari Paige. Kalel Mullings topped 100 rushing yards (116) and Dominic Zvada converted 54- and 21-yard (game-winner) field goals to propel U-M to victory.
• Rivalry Trophies Stay in Ann Arbor: The 2024 schedule was loaded with rivalry and trophy games and the Wolverines took full advantage. First, U-M retained possession of the Little Brown Jug with a 27-24 victory over Minnesota at home. One month later, U-M bested Michigan State for the Paul Bunyan Trophy with a 27-24 victory, also at home. For Senior Day, Michigan retained the George Jewett Trophy with a 50-6 victory over Northwestern, and the team followed it up with a 13-10 win in "The Game" over Ohio State in Columbus.
• U-M Hosts First Stripe Out, Ushers in New Big Ten Era: Michigan Stadium is home to some of college football's best traditions, and U-M fans helped welcome in a new one with the venue's first-ever Stripe Out against Big Ten newcomer USC in September. More than 110,700 fans packed the Big House to see the classic matchup and take part in the section-based dress code. The result was a 27-24 victory for the Wolverines and a beautiful stadium setting.
• Wolverines Close With ReliaQuest Bowl Win: U-M qualified for the postseason and earned a bid to the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla., where they faced off against Alabama. The Wolverines battled their way to a 19-13 victory with freshman Jordan Marshall earning MVP honors after a 23-carry, 100-yard rushing performance. The U-M defense forced three first-quarter turnovers (two fumbles, one interception) with help from Derrick Moore, Hall(forced fumbles), and Wesley Walker (interception).
Individual Highlights
• Zvada Re-Writing Record Book: In his first year as a Wolverine, Zvada promptly vaulted his name up in the program record books. He converted 26 of 27 field goals (95.5 percent) with one block, including a perfect seven-for-seven from 50-plus yards. His performance set a single-season field-goal percentage record and a career mark for field goals made at 50-plus yards at Michigan. Zvada was rewarded as the Big Ten's Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year and picked up All-America honors.
• Loveland Lands Among All-Time Greats: Tight end is a decorated position in Michigan history, and Colston Loveland's 2024 season ensured his place in it. He set the single-season U-M record for catches by a tight end with 56 last fall. For his career, he finished third all-time in catches (117) and yards (1,466), and tied for second in touchdowns (11).
• Edwards Makes Big Ten History: Michigan fans grew used to the athletic feats of running back Donovan Edwards, but they may not know just how uncommon his accomplishments are. Edwards was recognized by the Big Ten Network as the league's only running back with multiple touchdown rushes, catches and passes in the 21st century. Edwards finished his career with 2,251 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns, 797 receiving yards with four touchdowns, and a four-for-four mark as a passer with 131 yards and two touchdowns.
• Stewart, Graham, Grant Propel Defensive Line to Top Numbers: The Maize and Blue defense was a force during the 2024 season and finished the year ranked No. 10 in total defense, No. 5 in rushing defense, and No. 18 in sacks per game. Josaiah Stewart led the team with 13 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks (0.77 per game, No. 2 Big Ten), posting a 24.6 percent pass-rush win rate (No. 2 NCAA). Mason Graham led all U-M defensive linemen with 46 stops, including seven for loss with 3.5 sacks. He graded as the nation's top run defender (92.4) among defensive linemen while Kenneth Grant finished 10th (87.5). Grant recorded 6.5 tackles for loss with three sacks, and also set the career record for pass breakups by a defensive lineman (12).
Honors and Awards
Mason
Graham
Dominic
Zvada
Colston
Loveland
Kenneth
Grant
Will
Johnson
All-America Honors
Mason Graham: Consensus first team (Walter Camp Football Foundation, American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News)
Colston Loveland: Second team (Football Writers Association of America)
Will Johnson: Second team (Walter Camp Football Foundation, American Football Coaches Association), Third team (Associated Press)
Dominic Zvada: First team (Sporting News), Second team (Associated Press)
Kenneth Grant: Third team (Associated Press)
Other National Awards
Mason Graham - Outland Trophy Finalist
Mason Graham - Bronko Nagurski Trophy Finalist
Mason Graham - Lott IMPACT Trophy Semifinalist
Mason Graham - Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalist
Will Johnson - Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist
Colston Loveland - John Mackey Award Finalist
William Wagner - Patrick Mannelly Award Finalist
Dominic Zvada - Lou Groza Award Semifinalist
All-Big Ten Conference (Coaches)
Offense
Second Team: Colston Loveland (tight end)
Honorable Mention: Kalel Mullings (running back), Donovan Edwards (running back), Josh Priebe (offensive line), Giovanni El-Hadi (offensive line)
Defense
First Team: Mason Graham (defensive line)
Second Team: Kenneth Grant (defensive line), Josaiah Stewart (defensive line)
Honorable Mention: Derrick Moore (defensive line), Ernest Hausmann (linebacker), Will Johnson (defensive back), Zeke Berry (defensive back)
Special Teams
First Team: Dominic Zvada (kicker), William Wagner (long snapper)
All-Big Ten Conference (Media)
Offense
Second Team: Colston Loveland (tight end)
Third Team: Kalel Mullings (running back), Josh Priebe (offensive line)
Honorable Mention: Giovanni El-Hadi (offensive line), Myles Hinton (offensive line)
Defense
First Team: Mason Graham (defensive line)
Second Team: Kenneth Grant (defensive line), Josaiah Stewart (defensive line), Will Johnson (defensive back)
Honorable Mention: Ernest Hausmann (linebacker)
Special Teams
First Team: Dominic Zvada (kicker)
Honorable Mention: William Wagner (long snapper)
Other Big Ten Honors
Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year: Dominic Zvada
Big Ten Sportsmanship Award: Max Bredeson
Big Ten Player of the Week
Offensive: Kalel Mullings (Sept. 29)
Defensive: Josaiah Stewart (Sept. 23)
Special Teams: Dominic Zvada (Sept. 2, Sept. 29, Nov. 11, Dec. 2), Tommy Doman (Sept. 23)
Academic All-Big Ten (46)
Raheem Anderson, Gr., Social Work
Stone Anderson, So., LSA Undeclared
Nico Andrighetto, Jr., Communication and Media
Brooks Bahr, So., LSA Undeclared
Jaishawn Barham, Jr., General Studies
Christian Boivin, Sr., Sport Management
Tristan Bounds, Sr., Business Administration
Evan Boutorwick, Jr., Movement Science
Cole Cabana, So., LSA Undeclared
Greg Crippen, Sr., Sport Management
Grayson Dee, So., Business Administration
Tommy Doman, Sr., Sport Management
Henry Donohue, Sr., Economics
Tavierre Dunlap, Sr., Sport Management
Logan Forbes, Jr., Sport Management
Andrew Gentry, Jr., Business Administration
Dominick Giudice, Sr., Business Administration
Liam Groulx, So., LSA Undeclared
Jason Hewlett, So., LSA Undeclared
Jalen Hoffman, So., LSA Undeclared
Noah Howes, Sr., Business Administration
Ike Iwunnah, Sr., Communication and Media
James Kavouklis, Jr., Communication and Media
Marlin Klein, Jr., General Studies
Joey Klunder, Jr., Business Administration
Alexander Lidback, Sr., Mechanical Engineering
Evan Link, So., Engineering
Colston Loveland, Jr., General Studies
Zack Marshall, So., Business Administration
Charlie Mentzer, Sr., Biomedical Engineering
Joel Metzger, Sr., Computer Science
Cole Morgan, So., LSA Undeclared
Semaj Morgan, So., LSA Undeclared
Peyton O'Leary, Sr., Communication and Media
Jeffrey Persi, Gr., Management
Josh Priebe, Gr., Social Work
Max Reyes, Jr., Business Administration
Jimmy Rolder, Jr., Business Administration
Adam Samaha, So., LSA Undeclared
Kaleb Schlecht, So., LSA Undeclared
Peter Simmons, Sr., Sport Management
Dan Taraboi, Jr., Communication and Media
Greg Tarr, Gr., Master of Management
Jack Tuttle, Gr., Social Work
William Wagner, Gr., Manufacturing
Davis Warren, Sr., Business Administration
John Weidenbach, So., LSA Undeclared
Bo Schembechler MVP: Mason Graham, Kalel Mullings
Humphries-Miller Scholarship Award: Henry Donohue
Robert P. Ufer Bequest: Max Bredeson
Roger Zatkoff Award: Ernest Hausmann
Woodley-Graham Award: Kenneth Grant, Josaiah Stewart (co-recipients)
Dierdorf-Hutchinson Award: Giovanni El-Hadi, Josh Priebe (co-recipients)
The above six are original team awards presented by the U-M Club of Greater Detroit
Toughest Player Award: Max Bredeson
Blue Collar Award: Ernest Hausmann
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Hogan Hansen
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Mason Curtis
Special Teams Rookie of the Year: Cole Sullivan
Offensive Player of the Year: Kalel Mullings
Defensive Player of the Year: Mason Graham
Special Teams Player of the Year: Joe Taylor
Offensive Skill Player of the Year: Colston Loveland
Defensive Skill Player of the Year: Zeke Berry
Specialist of the Year: Dominic Zvada
Most Improved Player (Offense): Marlin Klein
Most Improved Player (Defense): TJ Guy
Most Improved Player (Special Teams): Jason Hewlett
Scout Team Player of the Year (Offense): Logan Forbes
Scout Team Player of the Year (Defense): Dominic Nichols
Scout Team Player of the Year (Special Teams): Nico Andrighetto
