Shocking upsets, 5-star signings show Michigan's dip is done

"Mr. Brightside" had barely finished playing in the streets of Ann Arbor following Michigan's first national championship since 1997 before the mass exodus began.

Many championship teams lose numerous key contributors to the NFL, but few also have to deal also with the departure of the head coach and the majority of the staff. However, that's what the program faced following Jim Harbaugh's leap to the Los Angeles Chargers after the 2023 season.

The early results were so poor that questions began to surround new head coach Sherrone Moore's job status by the end of October. They grew stronger after a dismal stretch saw the Wolverines enter the Northwestern game still short of bowl eligibility - a staggering development given the success in recent years.

Fast-forward almost three months, and the vibe has completely changed in Ann Arbor. That was hammered home even further Wednesday as the Wolverines signed the final available five-star prospect in the class of 2025 to cap an incredible 75-day stretch that has Michigan firmly back in the conversation of the nation's best.

Here's the timeline on the maize and blue's rise back to prominence.

Nov. 21: Bryce Underwood flips from LSU

Michigan is perhaps fortunate the nation's top recruit for the class of 2025 grew up just 18 miles from the Big House. Despite the benefit of proximity, the Wolverines were initially unable to secure a commitment from Underwood early in the cycle. The five-star quarterback appeared headed to LSU to play for Brian Kelly, a decision he held for over 300 days.

However, Michigan flexed its financial and influential muscle to help flip Underwood and bring him home. Oracle founder Larry Ellison - and his net worth of $211 billion - stepped up, with his wife a passionate supporter of her alma mater. Add Tom Brady's help with the final push, and it's totally understandable why Underwood stayed local.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder has already drawn comparisons to Cam Newton and Josh Allen and could be an immediate fix for a team that ranked last in the Big Ten in passing.

Nov. 23: Beatdown on Northwestern

The Underwood news came two days before what many viewed as a must-win game at home against Northwestern. The Wolverines had lost four of their last five and needed one more win to become bowl eligible. With Moore's outfit set to be massive underdogs the following week at Ohio State to close the regular season, the matchup with the Wildcats appeared to be the only chance at making a bowl game.

The team labeled the buildup as "buy-in" week, and it was evident in a dominant 50-6 victory. A blowout of Northwestern isn't usually a big deal for Michigan, but this ended the potential embarrassment of missing a bowl game one season after a national title.

Nov. 30: Shocked Ohio State in Columbus

Turns out, the Northwestern win wasn't necessary for bowl eligibility because Michigan had an absolute stunner up its sleeve for the rivalry game. Despite entering as 20-point underdogs, the Wolverines somehow punked Ohio State on the road, 13-10, to deliver one of the most stunning upsets in the rivalry's storied history.

It was Michigan's fourth straight win over the Buckeyes but certainly the most eye-opening one. Ohio State went on to win the national title, but the Wolverines will always be able to hold the shocking result over their rivals.

Dec. 4: Early Signing Period activity

The on-field momentum carried over to the recruiting trail a few days later, as the Wolverines went to work to begin the Early Signing Period. Moore flipped four-star defensive tackle Nathaniel Marshall from Auburn and landed four-star linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng over Colorado to help secure a top-10 class.

The early-season struggles essentially disappeared from memory as the Wolverines closed the year in dominant fashion both on and off the field.

Dec. 31: Bowl win over Alabama

How's an upset of Alabama in a bowl game feel as the cherry on top of the Ohio State sundae?

The Wolverines delivered yet another surprise with a 19-13 triumph in the ReliaQuest Bowl despite a number of key contributors sitting out to begin draft prep. It was another defensive masterclass for Michigan, which won consecutive games despite quarterback Davis Warren failing to throw for more than 75 yards both times.

Feb. 5: Landed last 5-star recruit in 2025 class

All eyes in the recruiting world have shifted to the Early Signing Period in recent years, taking plenty of the shine off the traditional National Signing Day. Most of Michigan's work was done long before Wednesday, but there was one final bit of business for Moore to attend to.

Offensive tackle Ty Haywood was the only remaining five-star prospect in the class yet to sign. While it always looked likely to be Michigan for the nation's 16th-ranked player, we've learned that nothing is guaranteed until the name is signed. He put pen to paper early in the morning, joining four-star Andrew Babalola to give the Wolverines two of the top eight offensive tackle prospects in the country.

Moore has a reputation of being a dogged recruiter, and now the young coach is backed by significant NIL support. The on-field results to close out the season also show he's improved significantly as an in-game coach.

Add a very manageable conference schedule for 2025, and it'd be a surprise if the Wolverines didn't return to the College Football Playoff after a one-year absence.