Michigan star edge rusher, Eyabi Okie, enters transfer portal

Thursday afternoon, amidst a flurry of rumors surrounding the Michigan football program’s future with Warde Manual (AD) and Jim Harbaugh (head coach), the Wolverines lost another star from its 2022 roster. This time, U-M is losing edge-rusher Eyabi Okie, who had just transferred to Michigan for the 2022 season.

Michigan EDGE Eyabi Okie is in the NCAA transfer portal, @freepsports has learned.

— Rainer Sabin (@RainerSabin) January 12, 2023

Why is Eyabi Okie leaving?

At first glance, Okie’s departure may seem like a direct result of the rumors surrounding Jim Harbaugh’s desire to leave the program. While this could be the case, it is likely not related to the Jim Harbaugh or Warde Manuel rumors. When discussing Eyabi Okie’s future with Michigan, there are two important factors to keep in mind.

1. Eyabi Okie is now a grad student, and in 2023, will see action with his fourth college football team. It is not as if Okie has not transferred before — the graduate student initially committed to Alabama and then transferred to UT-Martin before committing to Michigan ahead of the 2022 season.
2. Biff Poggi, a former Michigan assistant, is heading to Charlotte to take its head coaching job. Poggi played a large role in Eyabi Okie’s commitment to Michigan football in the first place, and Poggie’s departure could have been a deciding factor.

In Okie’s only season in Ann Arbor, he compiled seven tackles and four sacks along Michigan’s tough defensive line.

Where does Michigan football go from here?

First off, this is a huge blow to Michigan’s defense heading into 2023. Assuming the Wolverines can keep their coaching staff together (and no more major players hit the portal), U-M should be gearing up for another monster season in 2023 and could win its third-straight Big Ten Championship. Additionally, we could finally see the Wolverines break their 2.5-decade-long National Championship drought.

That being said, Okie’s departure leaves the defense in a weird spot. With Morris and Okie both headed out the door, Michigan football will likely need to hit the transfer portal to find some more depth at defensive end. If Michigan can get the Harbaugh situation under control, I am sure that there will be no lack of talent lining up to play for the Wolverines next season.