The transfer portal window has officially closed, and for Michigan fans, that means the roster rollercoaster is finally slowing down. While a few names might still trickle in due to administrative timing, the door is now shut for most programs - with the exception of Indiana and Miami, who get a little extra wiggle room.
Looking at the big picture, new head coach Kyle Whittingham deserves a ton of credit. With limited time to work, he managed to hold on to a strong core of players while also bringing in new talent. According to 247Sports, Michigan landed the No. 16 overall portal class - a major win considering the uncertainty swirling around the program just a month ago.
Still, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Michigan swung big on several high-profile targets and came up short.
Some of these players had real ties to the Wolverines - visits, interest, even predictions leaning their way - but ultimately chose other programs. Let’s break down five of the biggest portal misses and what they mean for the Wolverines heading into 2026.
LB Cade Uluave
Michigan looked like a real contender for former Cal linebacker Cade Uluave.
There was buzz, there were predictions, and there was a clear path to playing time in Ann Arbor. But in the end, Uluave committed to BYU, reportedly due in part to admissions hurdles that got in the way of a move to Michigan.
This one stings because Uluave was a plug-and-play type of addition. With a linebacker room that’s been gutted - Cole Sullivan, Jaishawn Barham, Ernest Hausmann, Jimmy Rolder and Jaydon Hood all exited - Michigan needed an experienced, versatile presence.
Uluave could’ve filled that gap immediately. Instead, it’s a “what could’ve been” scenario for a unit still searching for answers.
LB Rasheem Biles
Just a day before Uluave picked BYU, Michigan missed out on another high-impact linebacker. Rasheem Biles, the top-ranked linebacker and No. 12 overall player in the portal, chose Texas after a visit to Ann Arbor that reportedly went well.
Biles was a monster at Pitt last season: 101 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions (including a pick-six), and two blocked punts. He’s the kind of all-around defender who changes the tone of a defense.
Michigan had a real shot, but now they’re left empty-handed at a position that’s already thin. Missing out on both Biles and Uluave in the same week?
That’s a tough pill to swallow.
WR Quincy Porter
Quincy Porter’s name should be familiar to recruiting diehards.
A former five-star prospect from the 2025 class, he had Michigan among his finalists before initially committing to Ohio State. When he hit the portal, 247Sports once again linked him to the Wolverines.
But after a quiet stretch, Porter committed to Notre Dame last week. Though he didn’t see much action as a freshman, his high school résumé was elite - 38 touchdowns and over 2,600 receiving yards. Michigan would’ve loved to add that kind of upside to its receiver room, especially with a new-look offense taking shape.
DB Tao Johnson
The secondary took a hit this offseason, with six players, including starters like Brandyn Hillman, TJ Metcalf and Jayden Sanders, heading for the portal.
That’s why Tao Johnson felt like a natural fit. He played under Whittingham at Utah, started 34 games, and brought versatility - lining up deep, over the slot, and even beginning his college career as a wideout.
But Johnson never even visited Ann Arbor. Instead, he chose to stay in the Big Ten and committed to UCLA.
It’s a miss, but Michigan did make some moves to patch things up. Zeke Berry, who initially entered the portal, decided to stay.
They also added former Utah corner Smith Snowden and Memphis safety Chris Bracy, who’s expected to compete for a starting job in 2026. Still, Johnson’s experience and adaptability would’ve been a big boost.
WR Nick Marsh
This one’s got a local twist.
Nick Marsh, a Detroit native and the top wide receiver in Michigan’s 2024 class, started his college career at Michigan State. Over two seasons, he became the Spartans’ No. 1 target, racking up 1,311 yards and nine touchdowns - all while dealing with inconsistent quarterback play.
There was real potential for a homecoming story here. Pairing Marsh with incoming stars like Andrew Marsh and Bryce Underwood could’ve made for one of the most electric receiving trios in the country.
Michigan did land Jaime Ffrench and JJ Buchanan, two strong additions in their own right, but Marsh’s proven production would’ve added a different level of impact. Instead, he’ll be catching passes at Indiana from Josh Hoover in 2026.
Final Thoughts
Michigan’s portal work under Whittingham was impressive, especially given the time crunch.
They held onto key pieces, added talent, and addressed several needs. But the misses - particularly at linebacker and wide receiver - are worth noting.
These weren’t long shots; these were players who seriously considered Michigan and would’ve filled immediate gaps.
The roster is still in good shape, and the Wolverines are far from in trouble. But as spring ball approaches, the impact of these near-misses will be worth watching - especially on a defense that’s undergoing a quiet but significant transition.