Michigan Football: 5-star Alabama wideout hits transfer portal

We are just a little over three weeks out from the Rose Bowl (College Football Playoff semi-final) between No. 1 Michigan football and the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide. As the matchup approaches, Nick Saban is losing a notable piece who has been up and down with some nagging injury concerns this season: former five-star wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks, who has entered the transfer portal as of Thursday evening.

MUCH LOVE🤟🏾🐘 RTR … pic.twitter.com/wf6AUIdXvw

— JA’COREY “C7” BROOKS (@c7_brooks) December 8, 2023

Alabama wideout Ja’Corey Brooks hits transfer portal ahead of Michigan football matchup in the CFP

Ja’Corey Brooks, a member of the 2021 recruiting class, was a major difference-maker for the Crimson Tide and one of Bryce Young’s favorite receivers during his years in Tuscaloosa. The former five-star wide receiver, who ranked as the No. 2 wideout in his class and the No. 5 player in the state of Florida, has been dealing with some injury issues (shoulder) throughout the 2023 season, hindering him from seeing meaningful time, though he did appear in nine games for Alabama this fall.

He is perhaps best known at Bama for his marvelous catch against Auburn in 2021 (below).

I can’t thank Ja’Corey Brooks enough for what he’s done for the University. Go be great young man. pic.twitter.com/CVvcGzGpfO

— Barstool Bama (@BarstoolAlabama) December 7, 2023

Brooks’ injury status officially unknown, though it’s likely safe to assume he was not going to see action against the Wolverines

Leading up to the Rose Bowl game, Ja’Corey Brooks’ injury status remained largely unknown; however, seeing as he has not seen action for a few games now, it was widely assumed that he would likely miss Bama’s matchup against Michigan football. Ahead of the Tide’s College Football Playoff run, Brooks decided to explore other options in the transfer portal.

Again, it’s unclear what his status would have been against Michigan football in the Rose Bowl, even as an offensive decoy, though it’s safe to assume that he was not going to be used much or at all against the Wolverines seeing as he is now in the transfer portal.

It’s a major loss for Alabama fans, who watched the junior pass-catcher make some major players in previous seasons, and it’s one less thing for the Wolverines to study on film, just in case.

I doubt that U-M will be pursuing Brooks in the portal, though he will undoubtedly be a top wideout in the portal, assuming he can get his injury concerns straightened out ahead of the 2024 season.

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