The Michigan Wolverines haven’t been the same ever since the Natty-winning coach Jim Harbaugh‘s exit in 2023. With the new head coach, Sherrone Moore, taking the reins, they failed to even make it to the playoffs last season. The players fell like dominoes on Harbaugh’s departure. But Moore is bringing the program firm on their feet. Amidst these tough times, some news gets the head coach moving and fighting for Ann Arbor. Just like now, their 205 lb star did something heroic outside the gridiron. The young chap went back to his roots in Africa, helping them fight a major crisis. And team Michigan couldn’t be anymore prouder. 

The player who has turned heads with his philanthropic drive is none other than Michigan linebacker Ernest Hausmann. Now in his third season with the program, Hausmann spent his freshman year at Nebraska before joining Michigan ahead of the 2023 season. Moore’s phenom started all 13 games for the Wolverines in 2024 and led the team with 89 total tackles. With this, there has been growing buzz for Hausmann being the next captain in Ann Arbor. However, as of now, he is put on a pedestal for his off-field antics. In this world of NIL, it’s a common sight to watch college football players taking lavish beach getaways. If not vacations, they are splurging on luxury cars for themselves or pampering loved ones with expensive gifts. That’s when Moore’s star stood away from following the crowd. 

Even though Hausmann stays in the US, his roots lie in Uganda. The linebacker flew off there during his Spring Break, supporting onemillionwells.org, an organization whose sole purpose is providing clean drinking water for those in areas without such an asset. As Moore’s star returned after 16 years, he had to make the visit special. In this trip, he trained 4 African teams while also providing an impoverished community with life-sustaining, clean drinking water. And he came home with a grand gift. “The joy on their faces was indescribable—a moment I will never forget.” On May 7, Hausmann came up with an IG post. The caption read, “Providing clean drinking water for my family and the community that raised me, has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember.” 

He continued, “With God’s grace, I stood on the soil of Ivukula not just as a visitor, but as a bearer of hope. This is more than just water. It’s health, a forever family, and a future for generations to come.” This definitely made his head coach, Moore’s heart swell with pride. Among the likes, one could find the head coach’s name. Not just this, Moore could not help but flex about Hausmann’s off-the-field milestone. So, he reshared the post on his IG story. Then came the love and support from his team buddies. Michigan OT Andrew Sprague commented,  “❤️🙏.” “this is amazing man,” wrote Michigan OL Blake Frazier. And guess what?

Hausmann has no intention of stopping his endeavor anytime soon. According to the 2022 WHO/UNICEF JMP report, 411 million people in Africa still lack basic drinking water service. So, he has announced his partnership with One Million Wells, a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) Non-Profit. The mission? To ensure communities no longer have to walk miles just to collect dirty water. Well, along with Hausmann, another star from Moore’s squad is driven towards a greater cause.

Sherrone Moore’s QB star is carrying the philanthropic flame forward 

The 2024 narrative in Ann Arbor is dominated by Moore’s big chase to land 2025 No.1 quarterback recruit, Bryce Underwood. While the young chap is yet to prove himself on the gridiron, he must have already secured in place in Moore and the Wolverines’ fans’ hearts. As per On3’s NIL valuation, the quarterback is ranked at No.12, holding a valuation of $2.9 million. Last season, he grabbed a $12.5 million NIL deal with Michigan.

While this has caught many side eyes, Underwood has also given away to society. Last year in December, Moore’s QB1 followed in the footsteps of Blake Corum. The former Wolverines running back was renowned in the Ypsilanti community for his Turkey Drives, funded by his NIL proceeds. He also hosted a Toy Drive at Somerset Mall. Underwood partnered with Champions Circle and Valor Strength and Performance to host a toy drive for the local youth. The toy drive is something that the children look forward to. It includes treats, festive outfits, and participants writing letters to the children who eventually benefit from the charitable event.

The 2024 National Champion team was lauded for using their NIL money and influence to support less fortunate members of the community. For instance, JJ McCarthy established JJ for the Kids. The sole purpose of the endeavor has been to assist the children in need, funding it with his own NIL. With JJ McCarthy and Blake Corum paving the way, Ernest Hausmann and Bryce Underwood are proving that the giving game is still strong in Michigan.