Meet the transfer signees: A breakdown of Michigan's nine additions

Michigan Wolverines football has nine transfer signees and ranks No. 4 in the nation in the On3 transfer portal index, which factors in additions and departures. Here’s a look at the Wolverines’ nine pledges.

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RB Justice Haynes

Previous school: Alabama
Hometown / high school: Buford, Ga. / Buford
Height, weight: 5-11, 200
Eligibility remaining: Two years
On3 ranking: No. 19 overall, No. 3 running back
On3 Industry ranking: No. 22 overall, No. 2 running back

Justice Haynes chose Michigan over Ole Miss, South Carolina and others, and his relationship with running backs coach Tony Alford was a big factor. Alford recruited Haynes when he was a prep prospect out of powerhouse Buford (Ga.) High. Haynes took an official visit to Ohio State June 24, 2022 and also visited on an unofficial basis.

Haynes is coming off a solid 2024 season, currently ranking eighth in the SEC with 5.7 yards per carry. He rushed a total of 79 times for 448 yards and 7 touchdowns, splitting time with teammate Jamarion Miller.

OL Brady Norton

Previous school: Cal Poly
Hometown / high school: Mission Viejo, Calif. / Mission Viejo
Height, weight: 6-3, 275
Eligibility remaining: Three years
On3 ranking: No. 50 overall, No. 7 interior offensive lineman
On3 Industry ranking: No. 194 overall, No. 16 interior offensive lineman

Brady Norton cited wanting a step up in competition and stage as a big reason why he chose Michigan, and he “fell in love” with the campus, the facilities and the area. He also believes the Wolverines’ track record developing and sending offensive linemen to the NFL will benefit him.

He started at left tackle all 11 games in which he played during the 2024 regular season, posting a 73.5 overall PFF grade and 90.6 pass-blocking rating, which ranked tops in the FCS. He allowed 3 pressures — never more than 1 in a single game — and no sacks.

While Norton is listed at 275 pounds, he said he’s currently up to 295 pounds. He can play any of the spots along the offensive line. And Michigan fans loved to hear his quote to The Wolverine: “Long-terms goals are to be a two-year starter and beat the **** out of Ohio State.”

S TJ Metcalf

Previous school: Arkansas
Hometown / high school: Birmingham, Ala. / Pinson Valley
Height, weight: 6-2, 200
Eligibility remaining: Two years
On3 ranking: No. 108 overall, No. 7 safety
On3 Industry ranking: No. 325 overall, No. 29 safety

A 6-foot-1, 200-pounder, TJ Metcalf committed alongside his younger brother, cornerback / nickel Tevis Metcalf, in December.

He racked up 57 tackles, including 1 for loss, 7 pass breakups and 3 interceptions as a sophomore, appearing in 12 games with 11 starts for the 6-6 Razorbacks. He is one of 35 Power Conference safeties with 3 or more interceptions this season. He saw action in 12 outings as a freshman in 2023, posting 15 tackles.

DT Damon Payne Jr.

Previous school: Alabama
Hometown / high school: Belleville, Mich. / Belleville
Height, weight: 6-4, 313
Eligibility remaining: One year
On3 ranking: No. 18 defensive lineman
On3 Industry ranking: No. 160 overall, No. 15 defensive lineman

Damon Payne Jr. was a top-50 recruit in the class of 2021 and chose Alabama out of high school, but he’ll return much closer to home for his fifth season of college football.

He recorded 14 tackles and a fumble recovery in eight games in 2024. He redshirted in 2021 before playing in six games in 2022, and then tallied 8 tackles and a half-sack in 2023.

WR Donaven McCulley

Previous school: Indiana
Hometown / high school: Indianapolis, Ind. / Lawrence North
Height, weight: 6-5, 200
Eligibility remaining: One year
On3 ranking: No. 273 overall, No. 50 wide receiver
On3 Industry ranking: No. 190 overall, No. 42 wide receiver

Donaven McCulley started a game at quarterback against Michigan in 2021 and wide receiver in 2023. He was also recruited by the Wolverines after he entered the portal last spring but chose to return to Indiana. He was passed up on the depth chart, though, and left the team early in the season, preserving another year of eligibility. Michigan reconnected with him early on in that process, hosted him for a visit in December and locked up his commitment weeks later.

McCulley notched 48 receptions for 644 yards and 6 touchdowns as Indiana’s leading receiver in 2023, before being passed up on the depth chart and dealing with an injury before leaving the team in 2024.

QB Mikey Keene

Previous school: Fresno State
Hometown / high school: Chandler, Ariz. / Chandler
Height, weight: 5-11, 200
Eligibility remaining: One year
On3 ranking: No. 51 quarterback
On3 Industry ranking: No. 614 overall, No. 49 quarterback

Mikey Keene is 22-12 as a college football starter, and had familiarity with the staff coming in. Not only did Keene start against Michigan to open the 2024 season, but he was also coached by new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey at UCF in 2022. That relationship, his winning pedigree and long track record of accuracy went a long way in earning him a spot on the Wolverines.

He has appeared in 39 games with 34 starts over the last four seasons — two at UCF (2021-22) and two at Fresno State (2023-24). In 2024, Keene, completed 70.5 percent of his passes for 2,892 yards and 18 touchdowns with 11 interceptions.

LB Troy Bowles

Previous school: Georgia
Hometown / high school: Tampa, Fla. / Jesuit High School
Height / weight: 6-0, 220
Eligibility remaining: Three years
On3 ranking: No. 24 linebacker
On3 Industry ranking: No. 290 overall, No. 19 linebacker

As a 2023 recruit, Troy Bowles was recruited by not just Michigan but current linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary when he was at Tennessee, so the relationships were there to circle back to.

The 6-foot-0, 220-pound Bowles saw action in two games this season, totaling 12 defensive snaps. He preserved his redshirt by making less than five game appearances. The Tampa, Fla., native saw action in five games, totaling 5 tackles as a true freshman in 2023.

DT Tré Williams

Previous school: Clemson
Hometown / high school: Windsor, Conn. / St. John’s College (Washington D.C.)
Height, weight: 6-2, 315
Eligibility remaining: One year
On3 ranking: No. 46 defensive lineman
On3 Industry ranking: No. 513 overall, No. 33 defensive lineman

Tré Williams is close with former Michigan safety Quinten Johnson, who just ran out of eligibility after this season, and wrapped up his transfer recruitment very quickly. He entered the portal Jan. 1, visited U-M a couple days later and committed on his visit Jan. 4.

Over his five-year career that spanned 44 games with four starts, Williams totaled 35 tackles, 10 stops for loss, 4 sacks and 2 pass breakups. Williams collected 14 tackles, including 3 for loss and 2 sacks, adding 2 pass breakups in 14 games this season. Williams was a backup for most of the season but did earn starts in three outings — against Stanford, Louisville and Virginia Tech.

Williams had some success as a pass rusher, notching 8 pressures. He registered a 6.7-percent pass-rush win rate, per PFF, ranking third on the team among defensive tackles with over 190 snaps.

CB Tevis Metcalf

Previous school: Arkansas
Hometown / high school: Clay, Ala. / Clay-Chalksville
Height, weight: 5-10, 192
Eligibility remaining: Two years
On3 ranking: No. 70 cornerback
On3 Industry ranking: No. 960 overall, No. 115 cornerback

Tevis Metcalf is the younger brother of TJ, and both will join the Michigan team this month. He didn’t earn a U-M offer as a high school recruit, but did develop strong bonds in his recruitment this time around.

He played just 15 defensive snaps in two games as a freshman, but the 5-foot-10, 192-pounder did play in all 12 contests on special teams, featuring on the kick return, kick coverage and punt return units, among others.