Putting together a football roster is one of the most challenging parts of a coach’s job, especially at the college game. We find ourselves in an era where it’s rare for players to stay at one football program for a full four years, thanks to things such as the NFL and the NCAA transfer portal. Still, it is all a part of the game, and over the last couple of seasons, Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh has shown no hesitation in using it.
Now, as the spring football season comes to an end, the transfer portal opens back up, leaving us with the question: will Harbaugh take any more players this year? If he does, it will likely come along with some players leaving the program. Still, it’s interesting to think about. If additional moves are to be made, here are three potential position needs for Michigan football heading into the remainder of the 2023 NCAA football transfer portal.
NCAA transfer portal: wide receiver
Following the 2022 season, Michigan football lost two of its best wide receivers: Ronnie Bell to the NFL and Andrel Anthony to the NCAA transfer portal. The two players combined for 69 receptions, 969 receiving yards and six total touchdowns.
This raises the question of where that production will come from in 2023. Luckily for the Wolverines, they have several young players who are more than capable of becoming stars in college football. Names like sophomore Darrius Clemons, sophomore Tyler Morris and freshman Fredrick Moore immediately come to mind, but they’re still young and are developing.
Now, this is where the NCAA transfer portal could come into play. Another veteran wide receiver in the room could do wonders this season. Adding another veteran receiver alongside guys like Cornelius Johnson and Roman Wilson would undoubtedly be welcome, but it’s not necessary. Either way, this Michigan football receiving group looks good and could turn out to be one of the best of the Jim Harbaugh era.
Edge rusher
Oddly enough, while this is certainly a spot the Wolverines could look for another transfer addition, it could also be a strength for the team heading into next season. This offseason, Michigan football picked up Josaiah Stewart, a transfer from Coastal Carolina. Along with Stewart, the Wolverines have plenty of proven talent on the roster at the edge position with guys like Jaylen Harrell, Derrick Moore and Braiden McGregor.
Still, edge rusher is the kind of position you can never have too many players for. The more guys you can rotate into the game, the more rest the guys can get. If anything, it would make it so the defense can impose its will on the offense by continuously sending talented guys with plenty of energy out onto the field.
As I said earlier, there isn’t much of a need for Michigan football heading into 2023. If anything, it would be a luxury that I’m sure coach Jim Harbaugh would be thrilled to have.
Cornerback
If you have to pick out one spot on the Michigan football roster that is considered a weakness, it is likely at the cornerback position. Let me be clear, though; this is not due to a lack of talent but rather a lack of depth.
At the top of the position group, Mike Sainristil and Will Johnson are proven talents who could help make up one of the best defensive backfields in all of college football. After those two players, however, some question marks begin to pop up. There is plenty of young talent, but the issue is that most of it is unproven talent.
Young players like sophomore Amorion Walker, freshman Jyaire Hill and sophomore Kody Jones are all names that could break out in 2023. Still, until we see it in action, it’s hard not to at least wonder what they can make happen on the big stage.
While picking up a player in the transfer portal isn’t necessary, it certainly wouldn’t hurt the roster. It could provide some depth to fill out a strong rotation and give some of those young guys an extra season to truly develop into the studs we all know they’re capable of becoming.
Even if Michigan football decides to sit still in the transfer portal for the rest of the offseason, the Wolverines have put together an elite roster that’s capable of accomplishing anything it wants. It’s been said multiple times throughout the offseason, but this year is national championship or bust. Any extra additions would be the icing on top of the cake.
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