What DJ Waller to transfer portal means for Michigan football

The transfer portal sucks. We all know it and sometime soon, college football needs to fix it. But until then, Michigan football fans, we have to live it.

Thankfully, the Wolverines have been able to keep their best players out of the transfer portal, although, there are six days left for players to enter if they wish. On Wednesday, a few days after he shined in the Michigan football spring game, DJ Waller, a sophomore defensive back, entered the transfer portal.

Michigan DB DJ Waller Jr., who played in 11 games as a true freshman last season, has entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.

— Aaron McMann | MLive.com (@AaronMcMann) April 24, 2024

It’s a hit. There’s no point in acting like it isn’t. Waller also isn’t one of the four projected first-round picks in 2025. As long as Michigan keeps Will Johnson, Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Colston Loveland, Derrick Moore, and others of that ilk, they’ll be fine.

Waller was going to be in the mix to start. But Jyaire Hill also made a move this spring. It felt like he had a leg up. Ja’Den McBurrows is right there too. That doesn’t mean Waller wasn’t going to be in the mix. But money talks and according to Chris Balas of The Wolverine, he wasn’t happy with how much he was getting for NIL.

So now he’s in the transfer portal and here are some thoughts on what this means for Michigan football and what the Wolverines need to do next.

Some thoughts on DJ Waller to the transfer portal

Waller played in 11 games last season for Michigan. He had a bright future and will garner plenty of interest, although I’m sure he’s got an idea where he’s going already. That’s just how these things tend to work.

But for the Wolverines, you just have to move on. There was already talk of adding a cornerback via the transfer portal and now that becomes even more important. It could also mean Zeke Berry sees even more snaps than expected in the nickel spot.

That allows Hill and McBurrows to play on the outside. It means Brandyn Hillman  needs to step up this season but he’s indicated that he’s ready for that.

NIL definitely played a factor here and it’s another reminder that Michigan football is still playing catch up. Yet, losing a borderline starter doesn’t have to be the end of the world. You never want to lose a good player but in this day and age, keeping everyone on your roster is much easier said than done.

Stuff like this is just par for the course.

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