3 Michigan football transfer portal additions that should earn starting roles this season

The 2023 Michigan football transfer portal class is one of the best in the nation, and with a new season approaching fast, there is a good chance that many of these new faces will see plenty of game action. That said, there are a few whom we feel particularly good about heading into the year; these three new Wolverines should earn starting roles during the coming season.

Honorable mentions from the 2023 Michigan football transfer portal class

Before I delve into our top three transfer portal additions who could earn starting roles, here are a few names that Wolverines fans should be familiar with.

• Myles Hinton

The younger brother of a former Michigan football player, Myles Hinton comes to Ann Arbor after previously playing for the Stanford Cardinal. As a former five-star recruit, Hinton possesses the necessary skills and physique, although he has yet to fully showcase his potential at the college level. While he may not secure a starting role this year, there is tremendous potential for Hinton to excel in the Maize and Blue.

• Josaiah Stewart

This four-star transfer portal defensive end has proven to be a valuable addition to the Michigan football defense in preparation for the upcoming season. With the departure of their top two edge rushers from last year’s team, the Wolverines needed new talent to step up, and Stewart is expected to play a significant role. However, I do not foresee him becoming the Wolverines’ primary option off the edge, at least not in the coming year.

AJ Barner — tight end

Following Michigan’s 2022 season, former team captain and top tight end, Erick All, entered the transfer portal and joined Iowa. Furthermore, last year’s TE1, Luke Schoonmaker, decided to pursue a career in the NFL, leaving Michigan football with only one true tight end threat: rising sophomore Colston Loveland. To address this, Jim Harbaugh brought in former Indiana standout tight end, AJ Barner, who should seamlessly fit in with the Wolverines.

Barner is known for his receiving abilities, but his valuable attributes lie in his Big Ten experience and his substantial frame weighing over 265 pounds. Given that he will likely be involved in blocking duties more frequently than not, the Maize and Blue will greatly appreciate his presence on the offensive side of the football this coming fall.

Ernest Hausmann — linebacker

Last year, Ernest Hausmann had an exceptional game in the Big House, but it was not as a Wolverine; rather, it was as a Cornhusker. He made a significant impact against Michigan football in 2022, recording 10 tackles and a sack during Nebraska’s 31-point loss in Ann Arbor. After the 2022 season, Hausmann entered the transfer portal and committed to playing under Jim Harbaugh.

Despite being a rising sophomore, Ernest Hausmann is already regarded as one of the nation’s top transfer portal players and is expected to play a crucial role in the Michigan football defense this upcoming year. It will be worth keeping an eye on this talented linebacker, as he undoubtedly aims to make a substantial impact during his debut season with the Wolverines.

Drake Nugent — center

Last year, Olu Oluwatimi, a member of the 2022 Michigan football transfer portal class, played a pivotal role as the centerpiece of the Wolverines’ offensive line, which won the prestigious Joe Moore Award for the second consecutive year. In just one season, Oluwatimi achieved remarkable success, becoming the most decorated lineman in program history. He received numerous awards and left a lasting impact on the program’s record books before moving on to the NFL through the 2023 Draft, where he landed with the Seattle Seahawks.

Now, the Wolverines have found a new center through the transfer portal. Drake Nugent, a former standout at Stanford, is set to join the elite Michigan football offensive line this fall; in fact, he is already considered one of the top offensive transfer portal additions in the entire Big Ten. Nugent has been generating significant hype at both the national and local levels, and he is expected to make a significant difference for the Wolverines throughout the upcoming year.

Editor’s note: This list is not exclusive — it is likely that more transfers will start for Michigan this year — but these three are our best bet.

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