As the transfer portal window officially slams shut, Michigan fans can finally take a breath. No new entries are allowed from here on out, and while players already in the portal can still commit elsewhere, the Wolverines’ coaching staff-led now by Kyle Whittingham-can shift from damage control to roster development.
So, how did Michigan fare in this high-stakes, fast-moving cycle? Let’s break it down.
The Portal Pull: Immediate Impact Talent
Michigan didn’t just dip into the portal-they dove in headfirst, and they came up with some serious talent. According to 247Sports' rankings based solely on incoming transfers, the Wolverines landed the fourth-best haul in the Big Ten and 18th nationally. That’s no small feat for a staff that had to navigate a whirlwind transition.
The headliners? A trio of Utah standouts who followed Whittingham east: edge rusher John Henry Daley, cornerback Smith Snowden, and wide receiver JJ Buchanan.
All three have the tools to step in and start right away-assuming they stay healthy. Daley brings pass-rushing juice off the edge, Snowden is a technician in coverage, and Buchanan adds much-needed explosiveness to a receiving corps that’s been looking for a spark.
Quarterback Room: A Total Overhaul
Michigan’s quarterback room looks nothing like it did just a few months ago. Jadyn Davis and Jake Garcia are uncommitted, Davis Warren is off to Stanford, and Mikey Keene has landed at Arizona State. In their place, the Wolverines picked up Colin Hurley from LSU and Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi from Colorado State.
Hurley’s a name to watch long-term. Once Underwood heads to the NFL-likely sooner rather than later-Hurley could be the next man up.
He’s raw but talented, with a ceiling that could make him a future starter. Fowler-Nicolosi, meanwhile, gives the staff a reliable option with starting experience if injuries strike or development stalls.
Wide Receiver Room: Reinforcements Arrive
The Wolverines didn’t stop at Buchanan when it came to upgrading the receiver room. Texas transfer Jaime Ffrench joins the mix, and with Andrew Marsh staying put, this group suddenly looks a lot deeper-and a lot more dangerous.
That’s a big win for a team that’s struggled at times to stretch the field. Between Buchanan’s speed, Ffrench’s polish, and Marsh’s versatility, Michigan has the makings of a receiving corps that can finally open up the offense.
The Losses: Talent Out the Door
But let’s not sugarcoat it-Michigan lost some serious talent, too. On3’s portal rankings, which factor in both incoming and outgoing players, have the Wolverines dead last in the Big Ten. That’s a tough pill to swallow.
Running back Justice Haynes (Georgia Tech), offensive lineman Ty Haywood (Alabama), linebacker Cole Sullivan (Oklahoma), and several key pieces from the 2025 secondary are all gone. And these aren’t just depth guys-Haynes, Sullivan, Brandyn Hillman, and TJ Metcalf were all projected starters in 2026.
Whether the departures were driven by NIL opportunities, playing time, or other factors, the result is the same: Michigan’s going to have to replace a lot of production on both sides of the ball.
Retention Wins: Quiet Victories That Matter
One area where Michigan deserves more credit? Retention.
Several players entered the portal but ultimately chose to stay in Ann Arbor. That list includes offensive linemen Andrew Sprague and Jake Guarnera, cornerback Zeke Berry, and safety Jordan Young.
Keeping Sprague and Guarnera is especially significant. Offensive linemen are notoriously hard to find in the portal-there’s always more demand than supply. Holding onto two potential starters up front gives the Wolverines some stability in the trenches, which could pay dividends when fall camp rolls around.
Final Takeaway: Not Perfect, But Impressive
All things considered, Michigan navigated this portal cycle with more wins than losses. Yes, the outgoing talent hurts. But given the timing of Whittingham’s hire and the amount of roster turnover that naturally comes with a coaching change, the staff did an impressive job rebuilding key position groups and keeping the core from completely unraveling.
The quarterback room has a new identity. The wide receiver group looks re-energized. And the defense, while missing some familiar faces, still has potential thanks to savvy additions and key retentions.
There’s work left to do, no doubt. But if this portal cycle is any indication, Whittingham and his staff are already putting their stamp on the program-and that stamp says Michigan isn’t going anywhere.
Now, the focus shifts to spring ball, development, and figuring out how all these new pieces fit together. But for now, the Wolverines can feel good about what they’ve built-and what they’ve kept.