Michigan's 30-day transfer portal window set to close

The 30-day transfer portal window that opened when Jim Harbaugh left Michigan for the NFL is entering its final hours.

The former Wolverines’ quarterback brought the program back to prominence in his nine seasons as a head coach in Ann Arbor. He beat Ohio State three consecutive times while coasting to a trio of Big Ten championships. And in January, crossed off the biggest item on the checklist — delivering Michigan’s first national championship since 1997.

Harbaugh decided to continue his pursuit for a Lombardi Trophy following the historic season, leaving Michigan for the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers. With his departure, the 30-day portal window opened for players to decide their future. With the one-time transfer rule, athletes can play immediately at new schools.

According to the NCAA, the 30-day window lasts from Jan. 25 to Friday, Feb. 23 – the final day athletes can file paperwork to enter the portal. Michigan’s compliance department has 48 hours to formally enter names into the portal.

The Wolverines saw just two players enter college football’s free agency since Harbaugh left for the NFL. The most notable was safety Keon Sabb, who entered the portal last week and has since committed to Alabama. The former four-star recruit played in 18 games with the Wolverines, tallying 28 career tackles and one tackle for a loss, along with two interceptions.

Keeping the roster intact was a major win for new head coach Sherrone Moore, who enters spring ball with plenty of returning talent. Rumors supposedly surfaced that Michigan star cornerback Will Johnson was entering the portal and headed to Alabama, too, but his family cleared that up earlier this week.

“Alabama… As William, put it to me, ALL CAP,” Deon Johnson, Will’s father, said to EJ Holland of On3’s The Wolverine.

Michigan could be aggressive in spring portal window

Michigan will have to deal with another portal period before the start of the season, though. The Wolverines are slated to start spring ball on March 18 with their spring game scheduled for April 20. The NCAA’s 15-day spring portal window is scheduled from April 16 to April 30.

Moore and his program could be looking to add talent in the spring, too. With J.J. McCarthy off to the NFL, Michigan does not have a returning starting quarterback. Junior Alex Orji is the presumed favorite, known for his ability to run the ball. Four-star quarterback Jadyn Davis enrolled early and will go through spring ball, too. If the Wolverines leave spring practice without a starter, they’re expected to test the waters in the portal.

Another position to watch will be at wide receiver. Colston Loveland is the top returning tight end in the country, finishing second on the team this past season with 649 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns on 45 catches. But the Wolverines lose Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson – their two top-producing wide receivers – who combined for 1,393 receiving yards and 97 receptions. Freshman Semaj Morgan will be expected to grow off his 22 catches for 204 yards.

There’s no questioning the talent returning on defense, with linebacker Ernest Hausmann, EDGE Josaiah Stewart, defensive linemen Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant and Johnson all back.