Michigan football is wrapping up spring practice with the annual Mays vs. Blue Spring game on Saturday, April 20th. This year brings yet another wrinkle of intrigue to the spring transfer portal window.
Starting April 16, players will have 15 days to access the transfer portal and remain eligible for the 2024 season. Additionally, the one-year exemption limit for multiple transfers has been removed, making it possible for players who have transferred in the past to enter and play again this season.
Sherone Moore's new staff had a chance to evaluate their roster and began charting depth. What potential needs can we look at during this period to close the gap or increase competition?
quarterback
The player has been a topic of conversation for the 2024 roster since JJ McCarthy declared for the NFL Draft in January.
Alex Orge, Jayden Denegal, Davis Warren and Jadyn Davis have been in the rotation throughout spring practice. Experienced reserve Jack Tuttle has been rehabbing an injury throughout the spring, but he is expected to compete for the job.
Josh Henschke of Maize & Blue Review suggests that while each player had moments to shine, they also had down days. With Michigan's late-season finish and McCarthy's second-half appearance, many of the top QB options were already in their new spots if Michigan wanted to look into that portal this winter.
Who knows what type of QB might enter that portal in the spring transfer window? But with no one having complete control over the competition, it's hard to imagine Michigan State not taking notice if a QB comes in with experience or at least the potential to challenge for the job.
wide receiver
Another position of need since the winter that Michigan has tried to address but was unable to get a commitment is wide receiver. The Wolverines offered three bigger-bodied receivers early in the offseason, with Cornelius Johnson going to the NFL and Darius Clemons going to Oregon State.
Things have faded for the University of Michigan since redshirt freshman Carmelo English left the team just before the start of spring.
Leading the way as wide receivers for the University of Michigan are junior Tyler Morris and sophomore Semaj Morgan. Both players have the skills to lead this group and have performed well in camp. Fred Moore is expected to be a heavy rotation, likely starting at the X spot. The concern is experience and depth.
Michigan will once again be looking for a big-bodied receiver and another speedy Z-type receiver to fill the void left by English. Peyton O'Leary, Kendrick Bell, Christian Dixon and freshmen Imarion Stewart and Channing Goodwin will have a chance to carve out bigger roles. Still, the program would like to add experience and competition if needed.
linebacker
Michigan has no question about starting at linebacker despite Junior Colson and Michael Barrett heading to the NFL. Ernest Huisman returns, and Michigan added Jayshawn Barham, who was acquired from Maryland in the winter transfer window.
Barham was definitely the talk of the spring, praising the information gleaned from Mike's linebackers and Josh Henschke and Jim Scarcelli among players and coaches.
Again, depth may be a concern for Michigan. Jadon Hood had a strong spring and fall heading into the 2023 season, but that didn't translate into a season. He and Jimmy Rolder are expected to be leaders in the top rotation roles this year, but they don't have much experience.
Behind them are some very talented sophomores, freshmen, and a number of breakout candidates. Still, Michigan could look to gain experience to help the underclassmen develop, and it also had a safety blanket in case Huisman or Barham were sidelined.
One name to keep an eye on already in the portal is former Michigan linebacker Nikai Hill-Green. After a strong season with Biff Poggi in Charlotte. He recently attended Michigan practice before entering the portal, so there is at least a chance of a reunion.
defensive back
What a strange offseason it's been for Michigan's secondary.
First, Rod Moore and Macari Paige opted not to enter the NFL Draft and instead chose to return to Ann Arbor. Defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale told his players he would remain at Michigan before accepting a job with Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers a few days later. Keon Sabu was Michigan's only significant loss during the period opened when Harbaugh left for the NFL. Quinten Johnson declined the draft and returned to Ann Arbor. Rod Moore tore his ACL during spring practice, but there are currently no plans to return.
Michigan knows what it can do in the secondary, starting with Will Johnson, perhaps the best corner in the nation. There will once again be a battle for CB2, with DJ Waller, Gyre Hill, and Keshawn Harris once again earning reps. Jaden McBurroughs is looking to get nickel and reps at cornerback, along with Cody Jones. Two safeties, Zeke Berry and Brandin Hillman, are poised for breakout seasons due to the departure of their secondary and injury to Moore.
Again, this is a talented group, but Michigan State looked to the portal of a nickel/safety hybrid in the winter portal window, and that was before the subs left and Moore got injured. The goal will be experience and, ideally, the kind of leadership that Michigan added Josh Wallace after spring practice last offseason. Given how versatile this secondary is, Michigan could be targeting players who can enhance the room and provide depth rather than a specific skill set.
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