Top Michigan Football Transfer Need Is Not A Player

The No. 1 Michigan Wolverines (13-0, Big Ten Champions) are gearing up for a massive game against the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1, SEC Champions) in the Rose Bowl. Simultaneously, the transfer portal opened recently, and Michigan already has its eyes on a number of the nation’s top players, including top-ranked quarterbacks, offensive linemen, and more. That said, the most important Michigan football transfer need is not a player — it’s getting Jim Harbaugh to sign a contract extension.

Most important Michigan football transfer need is not a player — it’s Jim Harbaugh

Michigan football is undoubtedly in great shape right now — the Wolverines have elite talent, a perfect 13-0 record, a third straight Big Ten Championship, and are ranked No. 1 heading into the Rose Bowl (CFP semi-final). That said, amid the Connor Stalions sign-stealing investigation, the NCAA’s pending punishment for “Burgergate,” and Harbaugh’s apparent interest in the NFL, Michigan’s top priority right now should be getting its 9th-year coach a new contract extension.

Michigan will likely hit the transfer portal hard

Last year, Michigan football used the transfer portal heavily, adding some top-tier players and reloading for the 2023 season — a year that has been quite good for the Maize and Blue thus far. During the coming offseason, the Wolverines will likely hit the portal just as hard, perhaps even harder, though there remains a hurdle: Jim Harbaugh hasn’t been locked down with a new contract yet.

NFL holdup with new Jim Harbaugh contract extension?

Per reports, Michigan is ready to offer Harbaugh a contract with $55 million over five years to remain the head coach of the Wolverines. On the other hand, U of M wants Harbaugh to put it in writing that he will not pursue the NFL after this season, which is something that the two parties are reportedly yet to agree on.

Getting Harbaugh to stay in Ann Arbor is a massive need

Adding elite transfer portal targets will be tough if they are unsure of who will be head coach next year, meaning recruiting from the portal will be nearly impossible until these targets are sure that Jim Harbaugh is staying. Until a new contract is signed, and the university feels that Harbaugh will not be going to the NFL, Michigan’s biggest transfer and recruiting need is not a player — it’s keeping Harbaugh in Ann Arbor.

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 Cj@BluebyNinety.com. 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!