Michigan’s Week 1 win over New Mexico was about more than just the debut of Bryce Underwood.
While the true freshman quarterback drew headlines for his poised 251-yard performance, two other Wolverines showed they’re ready to become fixtures in the new-look offense: running back Justice Haynes and tight end Marlin Klein.
Both players gave Underwood the kind of balance and reliability a first-year starter desperately needs. Haynes, a transfer from Alabama, delivered an explosive ground game.
Klein, a veteran tight end who had yet to truly break through, finally looked like the big-bodied playmaker coaches have been waiting to unleash. Together, they helped Michigan lean on a steady formula in a 34–17 victory.
Justice Haynes Arrives in Ann Arbor
The Wolverines have built their identity on the run game, and Haynes wasted no time adding to that tradition. He erupted for 159 yards and three touchdowns on just 16 carries, including a 56-yard score on his first touch. His blend of vision, burst, and balance made the Michigan offensive line’s dominance count on every series.
FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt pointed to Haynes as one of the biggest standouts from the opener. “The run game was again back to the dominance that we know Michigan has,” Klatt said on The Joel Klatt Show. “Justice Haynes, their transfer from Alabama, he was terrific.”
For a team breaking in a freshman quarterback, that kind of performance is a luxury. Haynes consistently forced the defense to respect the ground attack, which opened clean opportunities for Underwood to work through the air.
Marlin Klein Becomes the Security Blanket
While Haynes set the tone on the ground, Klein changed the complexion of the passing game. The 6-foot-6 tight end caught six passes for 93 yards, working the middle of the field and flashing the athleticism that once made him a breakout candidate.
Klatt pointed out that Michigan coaches have long believed Klein could become a weapon. “They kept talking about this Marlin Klein and how athletic and fast he was,” Klatt said. “It seems like after this offseason and certainly through Week 1, he’s going to be a big part of their passing game.”
That’s good news for Underwood. A freshman quarterback’s best friend is often a tight end who can win matchups on play-action and third down. With Colston Loveland now in the NFL as a member of the Chicago Bears, Klein’s emergence fills a critical void and gives the Wolverines a target who can punish linebackers and safeties in space.
A New Core Takes Shape
Klatt also observed that Michigan “didn’t do a ton” offensively in Week 1, keeping things relatively straightforward. That left room for both Haynes and Klein to shine in roles that will only become more important as the season unfolds.
Haynes gave the Wolverines an explosive answer in the backfield, while Klein established himself as a reliable outlet through the air. For a freshman quarterback making his debut, those performances were critical.
They turned the pressure down on Bryce Underwood and gave him the chance to play within himself rather than carry the entire offense.
As Michigan builds forward, the presence of a feature back and a productive tight end creates a dependable foundation.
Haynes’ ability to flip the field in a single carry and Klein’s knack for working the middle give the Wolverines balance — and give Underwood the kind of support that can turn steady drives into winning football.