What transfer portal miss means for Michigan football

Just when Michigan football fans started to feel optimistic about the Wolverines’ chances of landing former Texas cornerback Terrance Brooks, the one-time Longhorn committed to Illinois.

Illinois emerged recently as a contender. USC also got in the mix. Michigan football was supposed to host Brooks for a visit next week but he won’t make it after a pledge to Illinois on Sunday.

BREAKING: Former Texas CB Terrance Brooks has Committed to Illinois, he tells @on3sports

The 6’0 190 CB totaled 20 Tackles, 3 INT, & 6 PD in 2023

Was ranked as a 5-Star Recruit in the ‘22 Class (per On3)

Will have 2 years of eligibility remaining https://t.co/KZu05GEI70 pic.twitter.com/uWF5IimYaK

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 12, 2024

Brooks has two years of eligibility left and after 19 starts in two seasons for Texas, his addition would have made a lot of sense. He could have started opposite Will Johnson and provided some much-needed depth.

Michigan football misses on key transfer portal target

The Wolverines don’t have any other transfer portal offers out to cornerbacks and the pickings are slim. There are some options at safety. Adding Jaden Mangham or Wesley Walker from Tennessee would help. It could free up Zeke Berry to play more of the nickel.

However, in terms of the starting spot opposite of Will Johnson, that will likely have to be filled by someone on the current roster. The two best candidates are Ja’Den McBurrows and Jyaire Hill.

McBurrows is also in the mix to play nickel. He got some snaps there last season. Berry played there too during the spring game and you could see both players take snaps there. But Michigan is going to need McBurrows to be able to play on the outside.

With the departures of DJ Waller and Keon Sabb, plus the injury to Rod Moore, Michigan football took some hits in the secondary. Adding Brooks would have mitigated that but now it will be up to the coaching staff to develop reliable depth this season at cornerback.

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