Big Ten Program Targeting Michigan Football Transfer Portal Loss

On Monday morning, CJ Stokes — a running back — became the first Michigan football transfer portal loss in the 2024 cycle. His departing announcement came exactly three weeks before the Wolverines are slated to face Alabama in the Rose Bowl game on January 1 for a shot at the national title game. Not long after he said farewell to U-M, fellow Big Ten East program, the Indiana Hoosiers, started targeting the sophomore running back, per an announcement on his Twitter.

Michigan football transfer loss CJ Stoks announces departure on Monday morning

CJ Stokes was beloved by Michigan fans during the moments that he got to play, which, unfortunately, did not come too often, seeing as Michigan’s running back room has been absolutely loaded over the past few seasons. Through two seasons in Ann Arbor, the ex-Michigan running back appeared in 13 games, carrying the ball 59 times for over 280 yards and a touchdown.

This fall, with Blake Corum, Donovan Edwards, Benjamin Hall, Kalel Mullings, and more on the depth chart, Stokes only had four carries across two games, prompting him to — understandably — hit the transfer portal.

Big Ten program, Indiana Hoosiers, targeting Stokes in the transfer portal

Just hours after CJ Stokes announced that he would be hitting the transfer portal, the Indiana Hoosiers became the first school to offer him a scholarship to transfer. Of course, Indiana was where U-M hired Mike Hart — Michigan’s current RB coach — from, so there are some vague ties there.

Indiana Offered #GoHoosiers pic.twitter.com/Nr0tt2YQaP

— “CJ” STOKES (@CapersStokes) December 11, 2023

It’s a shame to see CJ Stokes go, and a lot of Michigan football fans would hate to see the Wolverines have to play Stokes; however, at the end of the day, everyone wishes him the best as he searches for a new home.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at [email protected]. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!