Michigan lands wide receiver C.J. Charleston from the portal
Michigan coaches have been searching for more wide receivers since the transfer portal opened, and they landed one Wednesday. Youngstown State’s C.J. Charleston joined the Wolverines after receiving an offer earlier in the week. Mercer was the other offer he reportedly received after entering the NCAA transfer portal April 26.
A 6-foot, 190-pounder, Charleston spent five seasons at Youngstown State. He still has two years of eligibility remaining, however, after redshirting in 2019, dealing with the COVID season in 2020, and missing the entire 2022 campaign with an Achilles injury. The Gates Mill, Ohio, native caught 33 passes (third on his team) for 503 yards (also third) and 4 touchdowns (tied for second) in 2023 for the FCS Penguins.
Michigan offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell said after the spring game the Wolverines would be targeting receivers. The Wolverines are also reportedly in position to bring Amorion Walker back from Ole Miss to play the position.
“I think we’ve got some explosive guys, and I think it’s a top loaded room,” Campbell said. “We need to get some guys to help out there. We probably will look at some guys in that position — how many, I’m not sure.
“We just don’t even have numbers. You look at the roster depth, you need enough guys. Hamstring injuries are going to happen, quad injuries. So, we’ve just got to make sure we have enough guys to field the roster.”
Charleston notched 10 multi-catch outings, setting a season-high with 6 grabs for 119 yards in a 48-28 win over Robert Morris. Youngstown State played against one FBS opponent last season — Big Ten rival Ohio State — and Charleston racked up 1 catch for 7 yards in that 35-7 loss in Columbus. Charleston tallied 3 receptions for 18 yards in a 42-14 loss to a Michigan State in 2021, marking his only other appearance versus an FBS squad.
Watch for more on Michigan portal developments in the days to come …
