Michigan, the defending national champions, is having itself quite the offseason. Jim Harbaugh left the program after winning the national championship — the first head coach to leave the program after winning a national championship since Tom Osborne retired from Nebraska in 1997 after sharing with Michigan.
The Wolverines elevated Sherrone Moore to head coach, but Moore is left to fill some key positions like replacing Jesse Minter, Ben Herbert, and Jay Harbaugh. On top of filling out his staff, Moore has some key positions on his roster to address. Star QB J.J. McCarthy, RB Blake Corum, two starting WRs, the entire offensive line, and several key defense players are all headed to the NFL.
The cupboard isn’t bare in Ann Arbor, but the other key for Sherrone Moore is to retain his roster and not to lose any key players to the dreaded transfer portal.
Speaking of the transfer portal, ESPN writer Tom VanHaaren listed Michigan as the team who needs to address the most questions this spring in the transfer portal.
Michigan. Speaking of Downs, given all that Ohio State has added recently in the transfer portal with Downs, quarterback Will Howard and Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins, it begs to ask where Michigan will stack up in 2024. The Wolverines are losing starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy; star running back Blake Corum; offensive linemen Zak Zinter, LaDarius Henderson and Trevor Keegan; as well as linebacker Junior Colson, corner Mike Sainristil and a handful of other impact players. The staff doesn’t have a clear replacement at quarterback at the moment and has utilized the transfer portal in the past to fill holes along the offensive line. As it stands, Michigan has added Northwestern guard Josh Priebe and Maryland linebacker Jaishawn Barham, but more is going to be needed to compete at the highest level again in 2024.
The transfer portal isn’t exactly populated with big names at the moment, but once spring practice begins, there are always big names who enter the portal. That will give Moore and his staff plenty of time to look at what the Wolverines are in need of. Does Moore think Michigan needs a veteran QB to compete? Is there more offensive line depth that is wanted? Will there be a big-bodied WR that enters the portal? A defensive veteran like Josh Wallace? Those will be some of the questions Coach Moore entertains this spring.
