With Michigan’s season officially in the books, the roster movement has already begun. The first domino to fall? Veteran offensive lineman Connor Jones has entered the transfer portal, looking for a fresh start and a new opportunity to finish out his college career.
Jones, who has one year of eligibility remaining, played in 10 games this season, primarily contributing on special teams. At 6-foot-7 and 320 pounds, he’s got the size and versatility that programs covet - and he’s shown he can line up at both guard and tackle, even if most of his snaps came in mop-up duty.
Originally a member of Michigan’s 2022 recruiting class, Jones came to Ann Arbor from Palmer Ridge High School in Monument, Colorado. He was a three-star prospect, ranked No. 1012 nationally and the No. 90 offensive tackle in the class, according to the Composite rankings. He chose the Wolverines over offers from Indiana, Colorado State, Northwestern, and several others.
Throughout his four years at Michigan, Jones saw limited action on the offensive line - appearing in four games at both guard and tackle - but his primary role came on special teams. Still, he stuck around, developed, and waited for his shot. But with the way the depth chart is shaping up, it’s clear why he’s decided to look elsewhere.
Michigan’s offensive line is trending younger, and fast. This season alone, the Wolverines gave meaningful reps to three freshmen alongside veterans like Giovanni El-Hadi and Greg Crippen. Add in the return of Evan Link from injury and the influx of high-upside recruits like Andrew Babalola, Ty Haywood, and Avery Gach - all of whom were heavily recruited - and the writing was on the wall for Jones.
And Michigan may not be done reshuffling. The staff could very well dip into the portal themselves to bring in plug-and-play linemen at key positions. That’s just the reality of modern college football - where roster turnover and transfer movement are as much a part of the offseason as bowl prep and recruiting visits.
For Jones, this is a chance to find a program where he can compete for a larger role in his final season. He’s got experience in a high-level program, positional flexibility, and the kind of size that doesn’t grow on trees. For a team looking to bolster its O-line depth with a mature, physically ready player, he could be a valuable addition.
Michigan o-lineman Connor Jones plans to enter the portal, sources tell @mzenitz and I for @247Sports.
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) December 3, 2025
The 6-foot-7, 320-pound Jones played in 10 games this year. Can play tackle and guard. 1 remaining year of eligibility.https://t.co/CKVCn4G5z6 pic.twitter.com/zoqk0ZOb8w
As for Michigan, this is just the beginning of what’s likely to be an active offseason in the trenches. The Wolverines are retooling, and the next wave of linemen is already on campus - or soon will be.