Breaking: Michigan Football Set To Land Former Big Ten LB In Transfer Portal

The Wolverines have had success the past two seasons adding players from the portal and they are hoping to continue that trend this year.

Michigan had success adding talent from the transfer portal the past couple of cycles and the Wolverines are hoping to continue that trend once again in this cycle.

The Wolverines are familiar adding former Big Ten players via the portal. Last year Michigan added Nebraska LB Ernest Hausmann, Indiana TE AJ Barner, and Indiana QB Jack Tuttle.

Fast forward an offseason and it looks like Michigan is trending toward another player who started in the conference.

Back on Dec. 4 Maryland starting linebacker Jaishawn Barham entered the transfer portal and on Monday, Michigan received a Crystal Ball prediction to land Barham. The Michigan Insiders’ Steve Lorenz put in the prediction.

The former four-star recruit from St. Frances Academy (MD) signed with Maryland in the 2022 cycle.

He immediately became one of the top defensive players on Maryland’s roster during his freshman season. He had 58 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, and four sacks. Barham was named a Freshman All-American in 2022.

In 2023, his production dipped a little, but Barham was still a top player on the Terps’ defense. He had 37 tackles, three TFLs, and three sacks in 11 games this year.

In the two seasons with Maryland, Barham started in 23 games.

Michigan will be losing starter Michael Barrett to graduation and possibly Junior Colson if he chooses to leave for the NFL. The Wolverines will return Hausmann who played a ton for the Wolverines, but Michigan might need to find some production to replace the starters in 2024.

 

 

 

Running back becomes first Michigan football player to enter transfer portal

CJ Stokes, a sophomore running back, became the first Michigan football player to enter the transfer portal

The first Michigan football player to enter the transfer portal is running back CJ Stokes. Stokes made the announcement on X (formerly Twitter) Monday.

“First I’d like to thank God my Lord and Savior for His work in my life,” Stokes wrote. “I’d like to not only thank Coach Harbaugh and Coach Hart, but the whole athletic and academic staff for making my 2 years in Ann Arbor enjoyable. I was awarded the opportunity of a lifetime to attend the great university and I am forever grateful.

“With that being said I’d like to announce I’ll be entering the transfer portal.”

Michigan football holds a 13-0 record. They are currently preparing for the College Football Playoff. Nevertheless, Stokes’ presence will be missed by the Wolverines.

CJ Stokes’ Michigan football career

Stokes received more opportunities in 2022. He ultimately finished the ’22 campaign with 55 carries. Stokes recorded 273 yards and one touchdown on those attempts.

He also added one reception for 15 yards in 2022.

In 2023, however, Stokes finished with just four total carries for eight yards. He is likely seeking an opportunity where he will be utilized on a more consistent basis. It should be noted that injuries played a role in his lack of playing time this past season, but he was also on a depth chart with other star running backs.

Stokes originally committed to Michigan football in 2021 amid a strong high school football career. He enrolled in the school in 2022 where expectations were high.

Blake Corum was the starting running back, however. Corum dealt with injury trouble in 2022 and decided to return in 2023. And once again, Corum enjoyed a fantastic year. Stokes’ playing time was scarce, as aforementioned.

It will be interesting to see what the future holds for CJ Stokes.