NCAAF · 1 year ago

Michigan Wolverines Top 8 Needs in the Spring Transfer Portal Window

Danny Mogollon

Host · Writer

Kicker
Then there's the kicker. James Turner was among the most underrated players and additions to the 2024 National Champs. During Michigan's three-year run, the kicking game has been a steady and reliable spot, with Jake Moody kicking at an elite level the previous two seasons before Turner's arrival. The current battle is between redshirt freshman Adam Samaha, one of the top kickers in the 2023 class, and Tommy Doman, better suited as the punter/kickoff specialist. Is either one a championship-level kicker?

Big Ten Championship Odds: +460 | Season Win Total: +152 OVER 9.5 Wins/-192 UNDER 9.5 Wins
Quarterback
The most significant loss from Michigan's roster is J.J. McCarthy, who declared for the NFL Draft following his junior season and is a possible top-ten pick. McCarthy had a fabulous season and led the Wolverines to the National Title. Not everyone appreciates all he did for the offense, but he lost one start in two seasons. While Michigan's passing offense wasn't high volume, McCarthy often threw in obvious passing situations with a high success rate.

There will be a drop-off at the quarterback position in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines have a deep quarterback room, but is there a 2024 starter in the group? Elite athlete Alex Orji is probably the favorite, followed by Jayden Denegal, but both are raw. Jack Tuttle is injury-prone, Davis Warren is a former walk-on, and Jayden Davis is a true freshman. Many have long believed the 2024 starter isn't on the spring roster. The concern is whether a high-quality quarterback will enter the portal in the spring window. The good news is there aren't many elite programs in the market for a starting-caliber passer.

Projecting the Top College Football Quarterbacks for 2024 | College Football Transfer Portal Rankings
Wide Receiver
In addition to their quarterback, Michigan loses its top two receivers from last season. Seniors Roman Wilson (team-high 48 receptions, 789 yards, 12 receiving TDs) and Cornelius Johnson (second with 47 receptions) are off to the NFL, leaving sophomore Semaj Morgan as their leading returning wide receiver. They lose a lot of production and big-game experience with the departures of Wilson and Johnson.

Morgan caught 22 passes for 204 yards and showed flashes of his playmaking ability as a true freshman. Tyler Morris was just outside the top 100 as a recruit and made a massive play against Alabama in the Rose Bowl (38-yard TD), but he still has much to prove. Even if the Wolverines believe in Morgan and Morris as starters, depth is needed, and they lack size (both are under 6'0). This group could use a big-bodied long receiver on the outside.

Projecting the Top College Football Wide Receivers for 2024
Cornerback
A year ago, cornerback was considered Michigan's most significant need in the transfer portal. They had five-star freshman sensation Will Johnson and converted wide receiver Mike Sainristil, coming off his first season on defense. Johnson would be CB1, and Sainristil would handle slot corner duties, but who would start opposite Johnson on the outside? This was considered a potential weakness of what was expected to be an elite defense. On May 25, UMass CB Josh Wallace entered May 25, and by June 7, he was committed to wearing Maize & Blue.

Fast forward to the spring of 2024, and the Wolverines must replace CB2 (Wallace) and Sainristil, who many viewed as the defensive MVP on their National Championship-winning team. Safety Rod Moore was a potential slot coverman option; however, he went down with an injury. They also lost depth pieces Amorion Walker and Cameron Calhoun to the portal. There are high hopes for four-star redshirt freshman Jyaire Hill and true sophomore DJ Waller. Ja'Den McBurrows also has experience and can play inside, but experience and depth would significantly boost the position.

Projecting the Top College Football Cornerbacks for 2024
Offensive Tackle
I haven’t seen offensive tackle isn’t listed as a need, but hear me out. They lose starting left tackle LaDarius Henderson, starting right tackle Karsen Barnhart, and sixth offensive lineman/backup Trente Jones. Last offseason, the Wolverines were returning two offensive tackles with starting experience in Barnhart and Jones, and they added two more through the portal with Henderson and Myles Hinton.

Hinton is back and is penciled at left tackle. He’s very talented but injury-prone, and consistency has been an issue, leaving some to wonder if he’s the answer. Right tackle is expected to come down to Jeffrey Persi, who has had some spot starts, and former top-100 recruit Andrew Gentry. They might be fine, but an offensive tackle addition wouldn’t be a surprise.

Biggest Spring Transfer Need for College Football’s Top 10 Programs
Safety Depth
When the offseason began, safety looked to be the deepest position on the roster. All-American caliber FS Rod Moore and All-Big Ten level SS Makari Paige were back as starters, with Keon Sabb coming off a strong National Championship Game, ready to grow into a significant role. There was talk of getting all three on the field simultaneously. Since then, Sabb transferred to Alabama, and Moore suffered a significant knee injury. Suddenly, there are question marks abound.

The answers may be on the roster. While not as talented as Moore or Sabb, Quinten Johnson decided in March to return to Ann Arbor for a sixth season, providing much-needed experience. He will likely compete with former top-100 recruit Zeke Berry, a redshirt sophomore who recently said, "I'm going to run with this opportunity." True sophomore Brandyn Hillman joins Berry as an elite athlete who flashed on special teams and could be ready to break out in 2024. How much Berry is viewed as a nickel could decide how aggressively Michigan will look for safety help.

Projecting the Top College Football Safeties for 2024
EDGE Depth
Michigan's defense is set with EDGE rushers Derrick Moore and Josaiah Stewart back and ready to take on starting roles. They are expected to be two of the top pass rushers in the Big Ten, if not in the country. Stewart was second on the team in sacks with 5.5, and Moore is a potential 2025 first-round pick.

However, they lose leading sacker Jaylen Harrell and significant contributor Braiden McGregor. The depth was ridiculous in 2023. Who replaces them? We've heard positive things about TJ Guy and Kechaun Bennett in the past, but neither has proven much. With a deeper group last season, they added Stewart from the portal. A similar addition this spring would make this one of the best groups in the country.

Who Are the Top 19 Grad Transfers in the CFB Transfer Portal?
Linebacker Depth
Where else could Michigan add a player through the transfer portal? We're hearing linebacker depth is a possibility. They already added Jaishawn Barham from Maryland, who will join Ernest Hausmann, a significant portal addition from last season, as the starting linebackers. I like the potential of former four-star recruits Jimmy Rolder and Jaydon Hood, who have the talent to contribute to the second unit. Former Wolverines starter Nikhai Hill-Green is on campus and could return as a grad transfer.

Michigan Championship Odds: +2000 | Odds to Make the CFP: -110 Yes/-110 No
Kicker
Then there's the kicker. James Turner was among the most underrated players and additions to the 2024 National Champs. During Michigan's three-year run, the kicking game has been a steady and reliable spot, with Jake Moody kicking at an elite level the previous two seasons before Turner's arrival. The current battle is between redshirt freshman Adam Samaha, one of the top kickers in the 2023 class, and Tommy Doman, better suited as the punter/kickoff specialist. Is either one a championship-level kicker?

Big Ten Championship Odds: +460 | Season Win Total: +152 OVER 9.5 Wins/-192 UNDER 9.5 Wins
Quarterback
The most significant loss from Michigan's roster is J.J. McCarthy, who declared for the NFL Draft following his junior season and is a possible top-ten pick. McCarthy had a fabulous season and led the Wolverines to the National Title. Not everyone appreciates all he did for the offense, but he lost one start in two seasons. While Michigan's passing offense wasn't high volume, McCarthy often threw in obvious passing situations with a high success rate.

There will be a drop-off at the quarterback position in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines have a deep quarterback room, but is there a 2024 starter in the group? Elite athlete Alex Orji is probably the favorite, followed by Jayden Denegal, but both are raw. Jack Tuttle is injury-prone, Davis Warren is a former walk-on, and Jayden Davis is a true freshman. Many have long believed the 2024 starter isn't on the spring roster. The concern is whether a high-quality quarterback will enter the portal in the spring window. The good news is there aren't many elite programs in the market for a starting-caliber passer.

Projecting the Top College Football Quarterbacks for 2024 | College Football Transfer Portal Rankings

Michigan Wolverines Top 8 Needs in the Spring Transfer Portal Window

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