The transfer portal for college football just closed, so let’s take a look at what the Michigan Wolverines have done under new head coach Kyle Whittingham. The Wolverines made some bold moves, picking up top talent but also saying goodbye to a few key players.
This is a breakdown of Michigan’s transfer portal performance—who they’ve gained, who they’ve lost, and what all this might mean for the team as they move forward. It’s a lot to unpack, honestly.
Michigan’s Key Acquisitions
Michigan didn’t sit back during the transfer portal window. They went out and landed several high-profile players who could make a difference right away.
According to Maize n Brew, 247Sports actually ranks Michigan fourth in the Big Ten and 18th overall for incoming transfers. Not too shabby.
Notable Transfers
The Wolverines boosted their roster with some standouts from Utah, like:
- John Henry Daley – Edge Rusher
- Smith Snowden – Cornerback
- JJ Buchanan – Wide Receiver
If these guys stay healthy, they’ll probably start this fall. Michigan’s defense and offense just got a lot stronger, at least on paper.
Quarterback Room Overhaul
Michigan totally reshaped its quarterback room. Departures include:
- Jadyn Davis – Uncommitted
- Davis Warren – Stanford
- Mikey Keene – Arizona State
- Jake Garcia – Uncommitted
To fill those gaps, they brought in:
- Colin Hurley – LSU
- Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi – Colorado State
Hurley could be the starter once Underwood heads to the NFL. Fowler-Nicolosi looks like a solid option for 2026, especially if injuries hit.
Wide Receiver Room Upgrades
The wide receiver group got a serious boost with JJ Buchanan and Jaime Ffrench coming in from Texas. Keeping Andrew Marsh around doesn’t hurt, either.
By 2026, this receiving corps could be a real strength for Michigan. It’s looking a lot deeper than before.
Impact on Offensive Strategy
With these new faces, Michigan’s offense might look pretty different. A fresh quarterback room and upgraded wideouts open up more creative play-calling—maybe even a more explosive attack if things click.
Key Departures and Their Impact
Michigan made some nice additions, but they lost some important players, too. On3 actually ranks Michigan last in the Big Ten when you balance portal gains and losses.
Here’s who’s out:
- Justice Haynes – Running Back (Georgia Tech)
- Ty Haywood – Offensive Lineman (Alabama)
- Cole Sullivan – Linebacker (Oklahoma)
- Most of the 2025 secondary
Haynes, Sullivan, and defensive backs Brandyn Hillman and TJ Metcalf were all lined up as starters for 2026. Losing them stings, especially on defense.
Reasons for Departures
Why did they leave? It’s a mix—some for money, others for better opportunities. Either way, these exits give the coaching staff some headaches to solve.
Retention Successes
On the bright side, Michigan managed to hang onto a few key players who almost left. That includes:
- Andrew Sprague – Offensive Lineman
- Jake Guarnera – Offensive Lineman
- Zeke Berry – Cornerback
- Jordan Young – Safety
Keeping Sprague and Guarnera is huge. It’s tough to find quality offensive linemen in the portal, so holding onto them is a big win.
Final Thoughts
Michigan faced some tough time constraints and a brand new coaching staff, but their work in the transfer portal looks pretty solid. Sure, it wasn’t flawless, but honestly, the Wolverines have put themselves in a decent spot for what’s next.
The real test? It’ll be about how these new players actually mesh with the rest of the team. Can the coaches smooth over the bumps from all the departures? Guess we’ll see.
What do you think about Michigan’s moves in the transfer portal? Happy with the new faces, or feeling uneasy? Think this group can handle the losses? Let us know what you’re thinking in the comments.
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