The Michigan Wolverines are in the middle of a wild offseason. Players are hitting the transfer portal left and right. With new head coach Kyle Whittingham taking over, the roster’s getting a serious overhaul.
There’s a lot to unpack. If you want the latest, ever-changing list of Michigan football transfers, check out the Detroit Free Press.
Key Departures from the Offensive Line
Starting right guard Jake Guarnera jumping into the portal? Didn’t see that coming. He was an All Big Ten honorable mention his first year starting, racking up 710 snaps and earning the top offensive grade among Michigan linemen, per PFF.
Guarnera even had nice things to say about Whittingham’s approach—so this move is a bit of a head-scratcher. But, here we are.
Then there’s Andrew Sprague, the starting right tackle. He’s a redshirt freshman who started every single game this year and got his own All-Big Ten honorable mention.
Sprague even grabbed Co-Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after that Nebraska win. He missed the Citrus Bowl, which felt suspicious at the time—now we know why.
Additional Offensive Line Transfers
Senior tackle Connor Jones is leaving too. Jones played in 10 games on special teams and can fill in at tackle or guard.
With Guarnera, Sprague, and Jones all gone, Michigan’s offensive line is looking pretty thin. Not exactly ideal for Whittingham’s first year.
Defensive Losses
The defense isn’t escaping untouched either. Enow Etta, Michigan’s top-rated 2023 recruit, is out after logging 20 tackles, two pass breakups, and a sack.
Etta was supposed to take on a bigger role next year. His exit stings a bit more because of that.
Cole Sullivan is another tough loss. He wrapped up the season with 44 tackles, five for loss, three picks, two sacks, a fumble recovery, and a pass breakup.
He was everywhere in the Citrus Bowl—seven tackles, leading the team. Now, he’s off to new pastures.
Secondary and Special Teams Departures
Safety Devon Baxter and cornerback Jaden Dotson are both leaving as well. Baxter didn’t see game action in his two years, so he’s got four years of eligibility left.
Dotson, a freshman, actually got some run this season: 11 tackles, a QB hit, and an interception against Central Michigan.
And then there’s Jason Strayhorn. He stepped up in the bowl game when Greg Crippen went down. Strayhorn has four years left to play—other programs are probably already calling.
Offensive Skill Positions in Flux
The backfield and receiving group are shuffling too. Sophomore Jasper Parker is transferring after 25 carries for 93 yards and two scores as a freshman.
Even though his position coach, Tony Alford, stayed, Parker’s leaving because the backfield’s jammed. Justice Haynes, Jordan Marshall, and five-star Savion Hiter are all in the mix.
At receiver, Semaj Morgan is out after a junior year with 20 catches, 223 yards, and a touchdown. He flashed as a freshman but couldn’t shake the drops, so maybe this isn’t a total shock.
Quarterback Carousel
Quarterback is, well, complicated. Davis Warren started in 2024 and is now transferring with two years left. He was supposed to be the next guy after J.J. McCarthy, but his 1,199 yards, seven touchdowns, and nine picks over nine games didn’t exactly lock down the job.
Jadyn Davis is also on his way out. He came in with a lot of hype, ranked No. 9 at QB in his class, but only played four games in two seasons. Not much of a chance to prove himself, honestly.
Impact on the Team and Future Outlook
It’s a lot of change, and not all of it feels great. Michigan’s got holes to fill, and Whittingham’s got his work cut out for him.
Landing five-star running back Savion Hiter is a win, but the team needs more depth, especially on the offensive line and in the secondary. The next few months? They’re going to be interesting, to say the least.
The Michigan Wolverines are in the thick of a truly transformative offseason. Several key players have decided to enter the transfer portal, shaking things up in ways fans probably didn’t expect.
With new head coach Kyle Whittingham stepping in, there’s a mix of challenges and real opportunities. The team’s got a lot to figure out as they rebuild and get ready for the next season.
If you want a full rundown of all the Michigan football transfers, take a look at the Detroit Free Press. It’s worth keeping an eye on.
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