Michigan opt-outs: Who is in, out of ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Alabama

The Michigan Wolverines are putting the finishing touches on their prep for the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama on New Year’s Eve in Tampa and will do so with a new-look roster.

Between NFL Draft declarations, injuries and transfers, the Wolverines are going to be a bit shorthanded compared to what it had the rest of the season. Here is a full rundown of who will not be out there on Tuesday afternoon for Michigan

QUARTERBACK

Junior Jayden Denegal
A 6-5, 235-pounder, Denegal played in one game during mop-up duty in 2022 and six more last season, completing 4-of-5 passes with one touchdown. He also ran four times for 10 yards to earn his second varsity letter, but he didn’t register any statistics this year.

RUNNING BACK

Senior Donovan Edwards
Edwards said a few weeks ago that he had decided to opt out of the game, bringing an end to the career of a player with some of the most clutch runs in Michigan history. Remember, he was injured in the Ohio State game.

Graduate Kalel Mullings
Michigan’s offensive MVP – at least, arguably – declared for the NFL Draft this week and will focus his efforts on preparing for the Senior Bowl.

Senior Tavierre Dunlap
Dunlap had 22 carries for 138 yards in his career, one of which came for 20 yards and his only touchdown in the Maize and Blue this season. He will have one season of eligibility remaining at Eastern Michigan.

Sophomore Cole Cabana
During the 2023 season, the Dexter, Mich. native only saw two carries on the season, amassing six yards for the Wolverines. He didn’t see the field in 2024 and transferred to Minnesota.

WIDE RECEIVER

Junior Tyler Morris
The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder has one year of eligibility remaining, after playing three seasons at Michigan. He appeared in 35 games with 12 starts as a Wolverine.

TIGHT END

Junior Colston Loveland
Loveland set the program record for receptions by a tight end in Michigan history this season with 56 grabs for 582 yards and 5 touchdowns in 10 games played. The third-year pass catcher missed the USC and Ohio State games – both Michigan victories – due to injuries. He declared for the NFL Draft.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Graduate Myles Hinton
Hinton does not have any eligibility remaining, but has declared for the draft and is not expected to suit up fort he Reliaquest Bowl after starting most of the season at left tackle.

Junior Andrew Gentry
The 6-foot-7, 327-pounder out of Littleton, Colo., appeared in 26 games with two starts in three seasons in Ann Arbor. The 23-year-old has two years of eligibility remaining and is heading to BYU.

Senior Tristan Bounds
The 6-foot-8, 305-pounder saw action in two contests this season, at Indiana Nov. 9 and against Northwestern Nov. 23. Bounds played in one game in 2023, three in 2022 and one in 2021. He transferred to Arizona.

Senior Dominick Guidice
The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder spent four seasons with the Wolverines, playing in 18 games with five starts at center. He will play next season at Missouri.

Senior Raheem Anderson
Anderson played in 16 career games as a Wolverine, mostly as a reserve before having a special teams role this season. He was in the battle for the starting center job in fall camp, but fell behind classmates Greg Crippen and Dominick Giudice in the pecking order. Now, he has transferred to Western Michigan.

EDGE

Senior Josaiah Stewart

Sophomore Breeon Ishmail

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Junior Mason Graham
Graham has appeared in 39 games at Michigan with 27 starts at defensive tackle, earning a starting role in base packages his freshman season in 2022 while emerging as a stalwart up front for the Wolverines. He was the first to declare for the NFL Draft.

Junior Kenneth Grant
Grant appeared in 41 games in a Michigan unform along the defensive line, making 17 starts and getting the opening nod in all 12 games this season. He was a third-team All-American selection this year and a two-time All-Big Ten honoree (second team, coaches, 2023-24; second team, media, 2024; third team, media, 2023). Like Graham, he could be a first round pick this spring.

LINEBACKER

Junior Micah Pollard
This year, Pollard was limited to two contests – the Fresno State and Texas games – before appearing on the availability report the rest of the season with an undisclosed injury designation. He will play next season at Liberty.

CORNERBACK

Junior Will Johnson
Johnson played in 32 games with 22 starts over three seasons at Michigan. The former five-star recruit is a two time All-Big Ten selection (consensus first team in 2023 and second-team by the media in 2024) and is off to the NFL Draft.

Junior Myles Pollard
Pollard appeared in just 10 outings over the last three seasons, playing a reserve role throughout the entirety of his career. He will transfer to Memphis.

SAFETY

Senior Rod Moore
Moore has not played all season while coming off of a torn ACL in spring ball. No official word is in on a return for the 2025 season but they will not risk it with him on Tuesday.

Graduate Makari Paige
Paige has not been spotted at practices, so it is safe to assume he will sit out of the game.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Junior kicker Adam Samaha
In two seasons with Michigan, Samaha saw limited playing time and took a redshirt for the 2023 season, making an extra point in his appearance that season. He has not yet attempted a field goal and will get his shot at North Carolina.

Senior punter Tommy Doman
Doman has served as the primary punter for Michigan the past two seasons, winning a national title with the Wolverines in 2023. He has a career punt average of 43.4 yards. Doman committed to Florida this cycle.