Former 5-Star Michigan Football Quarterback Target Hits Portal

A few years ago, Dante Moore was a major Michigan football quarterback target for Jim Harbaugh and his coaching staff. While Moore ultimately picked Oregon… and then UCLA, things have clearly not been working out with him in PAC-12 country, as he now plans on entering the transfer portal. With the future of JJ McCarthy at U-M quite uncertain right now, with most assuming that he will leave Michigan after the 2023 season, could this former five-star become a transfer target for the Wolverines?

Ex-Michigan football quarterback target Dante Moore plans to hit the transfer portal

The transfer portal window isn’t even open yet, though a lot of the top names in college football are already announcing their intention to explore what else is out there. Among the most notable prospects, especially for Jim Harbaugh and his coaching staff, appears to be former five-star quarterback target Dante Moore of the 2023 recruiting class.

As I mentioned, Moore was a five-star high school recruit — he was also ranked as the No. 3 player in the country, the No. 2 quarterback in his class, and the No. 1 player in the state of Michigan. When Dante Moore decided to go west, it felt like a massive blow for Harbaugh’s Wolverines on the recruiting trail, especially since he was so close to Ann Arbor at the time.

Could Jim Harbaugh and the staff make a pass at Dante Moore?

Now, if Michigan wants to loop around and make another run at Moore’s recruitment, it certainly could, though that could get messy right now.

Firstly, JJ McCarthy is currently a junior quarterback with Michigan football, and while it is unlikely that he will come back to Ann Arbor next fall, seeing as he is a projected top-10 pick, there is still a chance that he does. Until JJ makes a final call, the staff will not be looking for a new quarterback — this could take a while, seeing as McCarthy and Michigan are playing in the Big Ten title game tomorrow with a shot at the CFP on the line.

Additionally, rising star quarterbacks like Alex Orji and Jayden Denegal are still in the room, as well as four-star QB prospect Jadyn Davis, who will be joining the Maize and Blue when he signs with the 2024 recruiting class.

Michigan State is currently a top-team for Moore

Seeing as ex-UCLA quarterback Dante Moore is a Detroit, MI, native, it sounds like the Michigan State Spartans are currently a top team to watch in his transfer portal recruitment. Like Michigan football, MSU wanted Dante Moore badly out of high school and needs a new quarterback for the 2024 season.

'Keep an eye on Michigan State' after UCLA QB Dante Moore enters the NCAA Transfer Portal, @BruceFeldmanCFB reports👀https://t.co/6nBmH2oWjH pic.twitter.com/fLxRHL6ijN

— On3 (@On3sports) November 30, 2023

For the time being, likely until Michigan’s season ends and JJ McCarthy makes a final call on his NFL Draft hopes, Michigan State will be the in-state school to beat here. That said, Jim Harbaugh has been known to use the transfer portal a lot — especially as of late (see 2023’s class) — so this is something to at least keep an eye on.

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