Michigan football offers Grand Valley State DT transfer Jay'viar Suggs, who will visit
Michigan Wolverines football is looking to add defensive line depth through the NCAA transfer portal, and D-II Grand Valley State defensive tackle Jay’viar Suggs is the latest target. He announced on social media Wednesday that the Maize and Blue sent him a scholarship offer.
Michigan is one of nearly 40 schools to offer Suggs, who entered the portal April 22. Suggs has already visited Arkansas, Wisconsin, Florida State and Kentucky, and is scheduled to see Michigan State Sunday (May 5). Suggs told TheWolverine.com he also has plans to take a Michigan visit.
Suggs is the 38th-best available defensive lineman in the transfer portal, according to the On3 Industry rankings.
The Flint, Mich., native is a graduate transfer and has two years of eligibility remaining after spending five seasons at Grand Valley State, which is located on the west side of Michigan in Allendale.
RELATED
• What C.J. Charleston’s addition, Amorion Walker return means for Michigan’s wide receiver room
• Ole Miss transfer Amorion Walker set to return to Michigan
Michigan is currently hosting Kent State defensive tackle transfer CJ West on a visit. Defensive line coach Lou Esposito made it clear this spring that the Maize and Blue will add talent that fits.
“You’re always looking to upgrade the roster, in recruiting at any level, whether it’s a high school kid or a transfer kid,” Esposito said. “If you feel that he’s going to help you win, and there’s room for them, you want to upgrade your roster as much as you can.”
The 6-foot-3, 282-pounder has been disruptive the last two seasons, after redshirting in 2019, having his 2020 season canceled and not playing due to injury in 2021.
In 2023, Suggs tallied 21 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 5 sacks to go along with 4 pass breakups and a forced fumble. He had at least a half-tackle for loss in eight of 11 appearances.
Suggs helped the Lakers finish the season 11-2 overall and 6-0 in GLIAC play. They won two games in the NCAA D-II playoffs (over Ferris State and Pittsburg State) before falling to Harding in a quarterfinal showdown.
The Michigan transfer target posted 21 stops, 7 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 5 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble in 2022.
Suggs was an unranked recruit out of Clarkston (Mich.) High in the 2019 class. The Wolverines have one player on the current roster from Clarkston in junior walk-on wide receiver Logan Forbes.
