The Michigan Wolverines finished 9-3 on the 2025 season and are training with an eye on the Texas Longhorns and the Citrus Bowl later this month.
The fallout from the Sherrone Moore saga has turned into a dark cloud above Schembechler Hall in Ann Arbor with Wolverines players and coaches working hard to erase the bad memories of the past eight days.
A win against Texas would go a long way toward achieving that goal. One key player expected to participate is tight end Marlin Klein, who was named one of the Wolverines’ captains before the season.
Klein made a bold statement on his future plans heading into this month’s matchup.
Klein Speaks on Future Plans
The tight end from Germany was Bryce Underwood’s favorite target at various points in the early going of the 2025 season before Andrew Marsh and Donaven McCulley wrested that distinction away from him.
The 6-foot-6, 250 pound Wolverines leader finished with 20 receptions for 209 yards and a touchdown and once again contributed strong blocking.
He said he will not transfer from Michigan, although he doesn’t know for sure where he will play football next season.
“Michigan TE Marlin Klein says he’ll never transfer from Michigan. He’ll either go pro or come back next year – decision is still TBD,” Brice Marich wrote on X.
“He’ll play in the Citrus Bowl against Texas.”
Wolverines Offense Faces Star-Studded ‘Horns Defense
The Wolverines will face a Texas Longhorns defense that landed safety Michael Taaffe and defensive tackle Colin Simmons on the All-SEC First Team.
The Longhorns shut down Michigan last year in Ann Arbor, albeit against former walk-on quarterback Davis Warren and an anemic Kirk Campbell-led offense.
This year’s Wolverines were superior on offense but faded down the stretch against Ohio State after failing to capitalize on opportunities in the first half of the game.
Michigan is a solid underdog heading into the bowl game but there is plenty of optimism, including with Klein, who played injured for much of the season and never quite reached the level most fans hoped he would during his time in Chip Lindsey’s offense.
Underwood’s rapport with Klein, the tight ends and wide receivers is critcial if Michigan hopes to win.
Klein’s rapport with the Wolverines program gives fans hope that loyalty emblematic of the ‘Michigan Man’ moniker so many fans treasure is far from dead.
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