The Michigan Football program has become a shining example for utilizing the transfer portal the right way in recent years.
In recent years, the Michigan Football team has emerged as a model program for effective use of the transfer portal. Michigan recruited nine incoming transfers in the most recent recruiting cycle alone, and all of them had a big impact on the program in 2023.
It’s evident from their recent conversations regarding their transfer experience to Michigan that they all believe they made the proper choice.
“It definitely wasn’t easy to leave a situation and come here,” AJ Barner said. “However, I believe that the way they’ve helped me improve both on and off the field—my technique, my strength in the weight room, our culture, and the opportunity to practice against my teammates every day—has made me such a better player.”
After playing for three seasons as an Indiana Hoosier, Barner switched to Michigan and is currently a senior for the Wolverines. Along with his Indiana colleague Jack Tuttle (QB), he moved to Michigan. Regarding advice to prospective athletes considering transferring to Michigan, Barner advised them not to anticipate a simple experience.
“If you’re looking for something that’s going to be easy and something that’s going to be giving to you, then don’t come here,” Barner stated. “But if you’re looking for some place that, if you’re a tough kid that wants to be great at football, and wants to play at the next level and win a lot of football games, then this is the place for you.”
Other transfers echoed Barners sentiments, including Stanford transfer Drake Nugent. The 6-2, 301 pound center has been a starter for the Wolverines all season long, recently earning first-team All-Big Ten by both coaches and media. For Nugent, the power of the Michigan brand – being a blue blood of college football – was just too good to pass up.
“A lot of it was just reputation that the offense and the o-line had, and generally the team,” Nugent stated. “Obviously Michigan itself is like a blue blood of college football and has a very big brand, that’s kind of what I wanted.”
Josaiah Stewart, a junior edge rusher from Coastal Carolina who transferred, believes that Michigan offers the ideal environment for athletes who aspire to reach high standards.
“If you want to win big games on the biggest stage of them all, and you have high hopes and high goals, this is the place to do it and achieve it,” Stewart stated.
LaDarius Henderson, an offensive lineman who transferred from Arizona State, claims that his time at Michigan has changed his life.
Henderson remarked, “This has been worth it just to experience.” “Life-changing.”
The top-ranked Michigan Wolverines are getting ready to play No. 4 Alabama in the Rose Bowl on January 1. When Michigan last participated in the Rose Bowl, the Wolverines faced off against USC in 2007 and lost 32–18.
