Michigan football: Transfer portal needs for 2023 offseason

Michigan football still has as many as 3 games left to play this season as it searches for a national championship, but it is never too early to look ahead to the 2023 off-season. In the transfer portal era of college football, the Wolverines might not be as well-positioned as others to completely flip their roster, but there are opportunities to add to the team.

Michigan was able to add a handful of transfers this offseason in center Olu Oluwatimi, EDGE Eyabi Okie and defensive tackle Cam Goode, so the Wolverines have shown a propensity for backfilling roster needs through the portal.

Here are positions that the Wolverines might be looking at before the start of the 2023 campaign in no particular order.

Quarterback

Michigan is set at quarterback with J.J. McCarthy through at least next season. It feels good about what it has in Davis Warren as his backup. From there, things get a little dicey. Alex Orji and Jayden Denegal are still raw, and Orji could very well have a football future at a different position.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh has dipped into the portal for quarterbacks plenty of times, whether it be Jake Rudock, John O’Korn, Shea Patterson and Alan Bowman. They will likely see if a Bowman-type – a player with starting experience to compete for the backup job – is available. This is an even bigger priority given that it appears they will not take a quarterback during the 2023 recruiting cycle. Michigan needs an arm.

Running back

Blake Corum could return for another season, but the NFL is a real possibility even with his knee injury. If he decides to move on, Michigan should look seriously at adding a back to pair with Donovan Edwards. CJ Stokes has looked capable at times as a true freshman, but it remains to be seen if he can take the steps forward his predecessors have during their sophomore campaigns. Even if he is ready, Depth at running back is critical given how much the Wolverines are still committed to running the football. Michigan could use some extra punch there.

EDGE

Michigan will likely lose Mike Morris to the NFL and Taylor Upshaw to graduation. It remains to be seen if Eyabi Okie returns, too. There would be plenty of contributors left in the room with Jaylen Harrell, Braiden McGregor, Derrick Moore and TJ Guy. Getting Okie back would be huge for the depth at the position.

The Wolverines are set to bring in Enow Etta and Aymeric Koumba in via the 2023 recruiting class, but it remains to be seen how ready either will be. Okie’s decision could be the difference between searching the portal or not for more EDGE help. Plus, there are never enough quality pass rushers on the roster. If there is a fit there they should find a way to make it happen.

Linebacker

This is another group where a decision from an upperclassman could affect the outlook. Mike Barrett could opt back in for a 6th season, which could add another layer of security to the room. Junior Colson will be back for a 3rd year, while Nikhai Hill-Green could return from injury and retake his starting spot. The Wolverines also have a young backer they like in Jimmy Rolder, who has gotten his feet wet at times in 2022.

Linebacker does not rank highest among needs. It would be another situation where if a fit was there and an upgrade was on the table, it would not hurt to kick the tires.

Cornerback

Gemon Green and DJ Turner could both be back in 2023, or they both could move on to the NFL. Or one of them could return. All options are on the table right now for both players. Michigan feels good about what it has in Will Johnson regardless, who is a lock to be a starter in 2023. The safest bet might be to expect one of Turner/Green to return, but losing both is a real possibility. That creates a big need on the roster without clarity on who might be next up if Johnson is the team’s top cornerback.

Mike Sainristil could also be someone to keep an eye on at the nickel spot. He could also elect to return for another season. Whether he does or not, there is not a whole lot of proven depth to speak of. Ja’Den McBurrows, Kody Jones and Myles Pollard would be next up on the list. Michigan would like to have a plug-and-play starter if it needs one.