Michigan trending down for transfer portal QB Billy Edwards
The Michigan Wolverines have been transparent about the desire to add depth and competition at quarterback, but it looks like one of their major targets could be trending elsewhere. Billy Edwards Jr., who is transferring out of Maryland, is now trending towards Wisconsin, according to On3’s Pete Nakos and Steve Wiltfong.
The updated picks were made with 50% confidence.
Michigan quickly became the Edwards favorite upon his entry last week, with previous picks being placed on the former Terrapin to land in Ann Arbor. However, reports from Monday state that the weekend visit to Wisconsin went very well and that a visit to Michigan on Monday was no longer happening.
Kentucky, Missouri, Vanderbilt and Virginia are the other contenders, and it appears he made it to Charlottesville on Monday morning.
Standing at 6-4, 219, Edwards threw for 2,881 yards with 15 touchdowns and 9 picks this season with the Terps, completing 65% of his passes. He added 150 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns this past season.
The elephant in the room is the looming presence of Five-Star+ quarterback Bryce Underwood and his potential candidacy to start as a true freshman. Michigan has wanted to add a potential veteran bridge guy, but Edwards was the only player publicly reported in the mix to this point as the portal period enters its second week.
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“There are a lot of positions that we’re going to add in depth and add spots to help fill,” head coach Sherrone Moore said last week. “So, the specifics of that, I guess you guys will have to see, but we’re definitely looking for a quarterback in the portal and we’ll go from there.
[We want] experience, a guy that’s going to be a great leader, great teammate, obviously have the ability to play and yeah, got to be a great fit. That’s going to be that one piece.”
Michigan has landed one commitment in the transfer portal thus far in the form of Indiana wide receiver defection Donaven McCulley, who was limited to 2 catches for 21 yards this season while playing in four games and dealing with injuries. They offered the former Indiana quarterback/wide receiver during last winter’s portal cycle. During the 2023 season, he led the Hoosiers in catches (48), yards (644) and touchdowns (6), which would have led the Wolverines at WR by a wide margin this season.
The coaching staff has been working on several targets in the portal, including Alabama running back Justice Haynes, Vanderbilt offensive tackle Gunnar Hansen, FCS All-American Cal Poly tackle Brady Norton, Kentucky defensive tackle Keeshawn Silver and more. Keep it locked here for the latest on U-M’s portal pursuits.
