Michigan football transfer portal tracker (Dec. 23): Needs, targets, roster movement

The Michigan Wolverines are preparing for the 2024 season by backfilling needs via the transfer portal, which we have seen them attack with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind over the last few offseasons.

Last year, the Wolverines brought in nine players via the portal to help augment a championship-contending order this year. We should expect more of the same from a group that hopes to keep its window of contention open.

Here we track all of Michigan’s targets and incoming and outgoing players via the portal, along with a look at the team’s biggest needs.

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.

Transfer portal needs

• Quarterback: J.J. McCarthy may or may not leave for the NFL, but a quality backup/succession plan may not currently be on the roster.
• Wide Receiver: Regardless of who returns at quarterback, U-M could lose both Cornelius Johnson and Roman Wilson this offseason. A proven playmaker would go a long way in setting up next year’s passing attack.
• Defensive Line: The way Michigan rotates its defensive line, there are never enough bodies up front. Kris Jenkins and Cam Goode will be gone after this year at defensive tackle with Braiden McGregor and Jaylen Harrell candidates to move on at EDGE.
• Cornerback: There will be similar conversations had about the No. 2 cornerback job that we had this offseason. Michigan needs a body or two here, especially with Mike Sainristil heading out the door.

Reported Michigan targets

Wake Forest WR Jahmal Banks
This season, Banks caught 59 passes for 653 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Demon Deacons in both catches and yards. During the 2022 campaign, he grabbed 42 receptions for 636 yards and nine touchdowns. Banks hails from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland, home to Michigan stars Blake Corum, Derrick Moore and others. As a recruit, Banks was the No. 1,190 prospect in the 2022 class and 197th-ranked wide receiver. He is set to visit after the dead period ends, per our Clayton Sayfie.

Tulane WR Chris Brazzell –> Tennessee
Brazzell was named a third-team Freshman All-American by College Football News for his breakout 2023 campaign as a redshirt frosh. He competed in two games as a freshman in 2022, hauling in 1 catch for 11 yards. He broke out as one of the top pass-catchers in the American Athletic Conference in 2023, leading the Green Wave in receptions (44) and receiving yards (711), adding 5 touchdown grabs (tied second on the team).

USC CB Domani Jackson
Jackson started all 11 games in which he played for USC this fall, totaling 668 defensive snaps, primarily as an outside corner. He was targeted 31 times in coverage, allowing 20 receptions for 411 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jackson totaled 33 tackles and 3 pass breakups but did not have an interception. He made 2 tackles in seven games as a freshman in 2022. Jackson is friends with Michigan corner Will Johnson.

UConn CB Mumu Bin-Wahad
Bin-Wahad led UConn with an 81.4 PFF coverage grade in 2023, allowing 26 receptions for 192 yards and no touchdowns on 45 targets down the field. He gave up a reception on just 57.8 percent of the times he was targeted and allowed 7.4 yards per reception.

UCLA QB Dante Moore –> Oregon
The Detroit native and former Five-Star Plus+ recruit struggled after being thrown into the fire as a true freshman this season, throwing for 1,610 yards with 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions while completing 53.5% of his throws. He was also sacked 25 times on the year. He committed to Oregon, the school he initially pledged to out of high school, on Dec. 19.

Indiana WR Donaven McCulley –> Indiana
Michigan had an offer out to the former Indiana quarterback/wide receiver, who led the Hoosiers in catches (48), yards (644) and touchdowns (6) by a wide margin this season. McCulley (6-5, 200) also threw a 44-yard touchdown in the 52-7 loss to the Wolverines. He removed himself from he portal to return to IU in late December.

Penn DL Joey Slackman –> Florida
Over the last three seasons at the FCS level, Slackman racked up 115 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 3 pass breakups, 2 forced fumble and a blocked kick. He committed to Florida on Dec. 17.

Western Kentucky DB Upton Stout –> Western Kentucky
Stout became a prominent part of the Western Kentucky defense the last two seasons, playing 612 snaps in 2022 and 418 this past season after missing six games in the middle of the season. He allowed 37 receptions on 65 targets for 494 yards with two touchdowns allowed and five interceptions over the last two years. Stout removed himself from the portal on Dec. 22.

Additions

Maryland linebacker Jaishawn Barham
As a freshman, Barham tallied 58 total tackles and four sacks en route to earning Freshman All-American honors and honorable mention All-Big Ten consideration. His production dipped this season, but he still held a prominent role on the Maryland defense. He finished tied for second on the team in sacks with three and was first in quarterback hits with three. Barham had 37 tackles this season and recorded his first-career interception in Michigan’s 31-24 win over the Terrapins in College Park, which he grabbed in the endzone on an errant pass from J.J. McCarthy. He committed to Michigan on Dec. 20.

Departures

Sophomore RB CJ Stokes
The South Carolina native leaves Ann Arbor after recording 59 carries for 281 yards and a touchdown in his career. He competed for time behind Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards in the running back rotation but ultimately was supplanted by Kalel Mullings and had a hard time staying on the field due to injuries and ball security concerns. Stokes will stay with Michigan through the rest of the reason.