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Apr 18, 2026; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Tommy Carr (14) runs the ball during the second half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images | Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images
Michigan’s 2026 spring game is in the books, and it gave us the first chance to see what this year’s team could look like under its new leadership. While the game might have been a bit more laid back than what we’ll expect to see in the fall, there were still a handful of nice plays from both teams that remind us that football is right around the corner.
Here’s a look at the top five plays from this year’s iteration of the Michigan Football spring game.
Bryce Underwood 16-yard completion to Eli Owens
We didn’t see much from Bryce Underwood in this game, as he only played one series for each team in the first quarter. His best play of the day though was the first pass he attempted, threading the ball through a tight window over the middle of the field to pick up 16 yards on third down, giving the Maize team a first down near midfield.
On the receiving end of that pass was second-year tight end Eli Owens, who will be continuing his work in the summer to crack the tight end rotation this season.
Tommy Carr 14-yard run on third-and-long
Surprisingly, Tommy Carr was probably the best of the Michigan quarterbacks on Saturday afternoon. We’d heard some great things about the freshman quarterback throughout the spring, and saw it come to fruition on Saturday. He made his best play on his first series leading the Blue team. On 3rd-and-12, he perfectly executed a zone read and kept the ball himself, zooming around the left side to pick up 14 yards and a first down.
That was far from the only play where Carr looked impressive in Saturday’s game, as he regularly showed that his pocket awareness is rather polished, especially for a freshman. Barring an injury or something drastic, we won’t be seeing him on the field much this fall, but his development will be something to monitor in the future.
Salesi Moa one-handed catch in the second quarter
Carr was involved in a pretty great passing play as well in the second quarter, only this time it was his wide receiver making the highlight. On first-and-ten in the final seconds of the half, Carr’s pass intended for fellow freshman Salesi Moa was a bit wide. But Moa stuck one hand out at the last second to reel it in for 11 yards and a first down.
The quarterbacks looked Moa’s way several times throughout the game on Saturday. He nearly reeled in another one-handed grab on the opening drive for what would’ve been about a 40-yard touchdown. Otherwise, he made some nice plays with targets close to the line of scrimmage as well, as his speed and shiftiness looked the part of someone who can contribute right away. He might not be a starter out of the gates, but he should be seeing the field plenty this fall.
Tommy Carr completion to Kendrick Bell
For all the good Carr did on the ground, he didn’t look too bad throwing the ball either. Granted, he didn’t have that many chances with the wide receivers struggling to get open, but his best throw of the day came un the third quarter with Kendrick Bell on the receiving end.
Bell was running a crossing route over the middle of the field, and Carr feathered the ball into his chest with perfect touch to pick up the first down for the Maize team. It likely wasn’t the most difficult throw he could’ve tried to execute, but it was still extremely impressive for the freshman to know just the amount of touch to put on the ball to make the completion.
Markel Dabney’s goal-line stop on fourth down
We’ve got to show some love to the defense as well, especially the Blue team’s group, which had its biggest play of the day with a big goal-line stop in the fourth quarter.
On fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line and trailing 6-0, the Maize team handed the ball to Tomas O’Meara for a run up the middle, but he was met in the hole by freshman linebacker Markel Dabney, who delivered a major thump to stop him in his tracks and force a turnover on downs. In a room full of young linebackers that will be looking to make an impact this season, a play like that – especially in a big spot can do Dabney some good will.
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