Senior quarterback Mikey Keene played four seasons for Fresno State and UCF before transferring to Michigan for 2025. An early-season upper-body injury sidelined him for the rest of the year, preventing him from supporting freshman Bryce Underwood as planned.
If fully healthy, Keene faces two options: end his college career and declare for the NFL Draft, or return to Michigan to finish what his injury interrupted, something head coach Sherrone Moore hopes for.
Sherrone Moore Wishes To Have Michigan QB Back for Next Season
With the Christmas season approaching and Michigan set to face Texas in the Citrus Bowl, Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore discussed backup quarterback Mikey Keene possibly returning next season.
Moore said on Monday that he wishes to have the signal-caller back next season to provide stability at the position and aid in the growth of first-choice quarterback Bryce Underwood, who is set to play his second season next year.
The Michigan coach also wants Rod Moore to return after the safety’s 2025 season was cut short by a reaggravated ACL tear, which will sideline him for six games. Rod Moore first injured his knee in March 2024 but recovered for the 2025 season.
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The Wolverines are keen on having Keene and Moore back next season, so they plan to file a petition to the league to grant them another year of eligibility.
“We would love to have both of them back,” Moore said. “We probably don’t plan on playing either Mikey or Rod in this game. We’ll see, but it’s something that we have to leave to the doctors and meet with the families about.”
Keene played 39 games in four seasons with UCF and Fresno State before transferring to Michigan. His two-year stint with the Bulldogs earned him the respect and opportunity to play this past season.
He completed a total of 560 passes for a 68.7% completion percentage and threw for 5,868 yards with 42 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in the 2023 and 2024 seasons for Fresno State. Overall, Keene has a 67.8% completion rate, 8,245 passing yards, 65 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions.
Michigan Wants To Give RB Justice Haynes a Chance for Redemption
Michigan is actively working to regain Keene and Moore while also focusing on retaining Alabama transfer running back Justice Haynes. Initially brought in via the transfer portal to play just one season, Haynes had his campaign cut short in October due to a foot injury sustained in the Michigan-Michigan State clash. He underwent surgery and is likely to return for the Bowl game.
Coach Moore confirmed reports of the school’s interest in retaining Haynes and said both sides are in talks. After 25 games at Alabama, Haynes played seven at Michigan, rushing for 857 yards and 10 TDs on 121 attempts. He had 13 catches for 50 yards before an injury ended a possible breakout season.
If cleared to play in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against Texas, Haynes will have three weeks to get fit before the December 31 game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The game airs on ABC.
