Michigan football: Running down who stayed, who's off to the NFL Draft, transfer portal

The Michigan Wolverines are into the offseason after winning a national championship and now the roster turns over heading into a new era of program history. Most players who had decisions to make elected to go out on a high note and enter the 2024 NFL Draft, but a handful of other guys decided to return.

Here, we run down the guys who stuck around, who is headed to the draft and more.

Those who stayed (4)

Running back Donovan Edwards
Edwards had a huge performance in the national championship game and now gets a crack at being one of the offense’s key playmakers and his first opportunity as RB1 at Michigan.

EDGE Josaiah Stewart
The former Coastal Carolina transfer acquitted himself nicely in the Michigan pass rush rotation, racking up 38 total tackles and 5.5 sacks.

Safety Rod Moore
Moore was considered a potential day-two NFL Draft pick, but elected to run it back using the end of his 2023 season as a springboard into 2024. He finished the year with 38 total tackles, two interceptions and three passes defended.

Safety Makari Paige
The West Bloomfield native is back for a fifth season in Ann Arbor after 41 total tackles, two passes defended and a fumble recovery during the 2023 campaign.

Transfer portal additions (2)

Offensive lineman Josh Priebe
Priebe started 12 games this season at Northwestern at left guard and could compete for a spot there next season with both Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter moving on to the 2024 NFL Draft.

Linebacker Jaishawn Barham
He was slowed by injury in 2023, seeing time in 10 contests, but still recorded 37 stops, 3 sacks, 1 pass breakup and an interception that came at the goal line in a 31-24 loss to Michigan Nov. 18.

Michigan’s NFL Draft entrees (17)

Quarterback J.J. McCarthy
McCarthy is taking his talents to the NFL after a 27-1 record as Michigan’s starting quarterback with 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions this season. Most outlets have him as a first or second-round pick.

Running back Blake Corum
The Michigan legend could have been in the NFL during the 2023 season but decided to return for one more year, rushing for 1,245 yards and a program-record 27 rushing touchdowns in 2023.

Wide receiver Roman Wilson
Wilson is off to the Senior Bowl after four seasons in Ann Arbor, closing out the 2023 campaign with 48 catches for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Tight end AJ Barner
Barner racked up 22 catches for 249 yards and one touchdown this season playing in tandem with Colston Loveland.

Offensive tackles Karsen Barnhart and Trente Jones
Michigan is losing a pair of starting offensive tackles who could have returned for sixth seasons in Ann Arbor, but elected to call it a career.

Guards Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter
Keegan and Zinter could have returned for sixth and fifth seasons, respectively, but are going out on the highest note possible. Zinter is expected to fully recover from his broken leg in time for NFL training camp this summer.

Center Drake Nugent
Nugent was a Rimington Trophy Finalist and a first-team All-Big Ten performer this season, making all 15 starts this season at center after transferring in from Stanford.

EDGEs Jaylen Harrell and Braiden McGregor
Two of Michigan’s experienced pass rushers are heading to the Senior Bowl to show off for NFL teams, turning down fifth seasons in Ann Arbor.

Defensive tackle Kris Jenkins
Jenkins was considered by some to be a top-100 prospect last year before deciding to return. Now, he has a chance to be Michigan’s highest-drafted player in this class.

Linebackers Junior Colson
Colson was a second-team All-Big Ten selection and decided to call it a career after three seasons. He had 95 total tackles with two passes defended this year and is considered a potential day two/early day three NFL Draft prospect.

Cornerbacks Josh Wallace and German Green
Wallace came to Michigan from UMass last offseason and slid right into the No. 2 cornerback job on the other side of Will Johnson. Green, the twin brother of former U-M corner Gemon Green, played primarily as a special teamer this year.

Out of eligibility (6)

Wide receiver Cornelius Johnson
Johnson declared for the 2024 NFL Draft but is out of eligibility at Michigan regardless. The starting wideout is not currently on any notable prospect boards.

Offensive tackle LaDarius Henderson
Henderson appeared in all 14 games this season with 10 starts on the offensive line, earning a first-team All-Big Ten nod from the coaches and second team from the media.

Defensive tackle Cam Goode
Goode spent six seasons in college between Auburn, UCF and Michigan, primarily as a depth piece in U-M’s defensive line rotation.

Linebacker Michael Barrett
The sixth-year senior had 65 total tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two passes defended this year and appeared in 64 games with 35 career starts at linebacker.

Defensive back Mike Sainristil
The converted wide receiver was incredible at nickel over the last two seasons with 2023 being his best. He recorded 44 total tackles with two sacks, two forced fumbles and a team-high six interceptions, two of which went for touchdowns. He was a first-team All-American and is expected to be a mid-round draft pick.

Kicker James Turner
The Lousiville transfer did the job well for Michigan in 2023, making 18 of his 21 field goal attempts and hitting 65 of 66 extra points this season.

Transfer portal exits (5)

Running back CJ Stokes
Stokes decided to enter the portal after two seasons in Ann Arbor and has committed to play for Charlotte next season.

Wide receiver Darrius Clemons
The Oregon native and former four-star recruit moved on after four receptions over two years and will play next season at Oregon State.

Linebacker Joey Velazquez
The two-sport player did not play in a game for the Wolverines this season while also making an impact on the baseball team. He has not picked a new school as of this posting.

Cornerbacks Amorion Walker and Cameron Calhoun
Michigan’s cornerback room thinned out a bit with two promising young talents electing to move on from the program. Walker has not picked a new school, while Calhoun will head to Utah next season.