Rising fifth year senior defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour announced on Twitter that he would be pursing a graduate transfer opportunity elsewhere.
Hit the jump for more.
Dwumfour was listed at 6’2″ and 282 lbs. this past season. While he’s perceived by some as a starting defensive tackle, he only made four starts during his career at Michigan while playing in a total of 33 games.
I gave Dwumfour a TTB Rating of 69 when he committed to Michigan in January of 2016 (LINK), flipping from Penn State in the process. He was a high school teammate of running back Kareem Walker. Dwumfour was a 3-star, the #58 defensive tackle, and #947 overall in that 2016 class.
Some people are lamenting the loss of Dwumfour, but the reality is that he made 36 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, and 1 interception during four years on campus. There has been a lack of physical growth, which is why we still see someone who is 282 lbs. when he was listed as a recruit at 286. That rarely works at the defensive tackle position, except in the case of someone with ridiculous quickness and anticipation like Maurice Hurst, Jr. For whatever reason, Dwumfour was always injured, and it seemed like every spring practice or fall camp came with obligatory updates that he was “working through something” or was “limited.” The 2019 season started off with injury rumors, then he entered the season opener against Middle Tennessee State with a cast on his arm, and literally one play into his first appearance, he was writhing on the ground.
Dwumfour was not stout against the run and was largely phased out of Michigan’s game planning in 2019, so I do not think he will be missed a great deal. There are also rumors that his spot on the roster could be taken by one or more transfer defensive tackles, all of whom appear to be talent upgrades. Overall, Dwumfour could not consistently stay on the field and was not particularly productive when playing, so the scholarship spot might as well be used on someone else.
For now Michigan has five fifth-year seniors slated to return in 2020 from that 2020 class, including RB Chris Evans, TE Nick Eubanks, DT Carlo Kemp, LB Devin Gil, and K Quinn Nordin. The Wolverines have 85 scholarship players lined up for the roster, which puts them right at the NCAA limit (LINK).
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I would have guessed 2 or 3 starts
Can’t miss a player who was rarely healthy enough to play, and never impactful
It’s a shame we’re losing depth, but that why we should have recruited more toward the position. On to the portal
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Are you surprised that Gil hasn’t entered the Transfer Protocol yet? Seems like he’s not assured a spot at LB for next year.
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He’s definitely not assured a spot next year. That being said, the guy who took his spot (Glasgow) graduated, so I can see a path to a logical conclusion that Gil would be the natural successor to Glasgow.
That being said…
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I get the sense he was not invited to return for the extra year. While I am generally inclined to value depth and still see untapped potential in MD – I can understand the decision to part ways. It may be best for both player and team.
Dwumfour was a solid rotation player when healthy for multiple seasons. But he never lived up to the offseason buzz and never stayed healthy. This staff doesn’t have much tolerance for that.
Michigan moved on. Hinton is younger and got more snaps at the end of the year. Unlike Hurst, Dwumfour never figured out how to be an asset against the run. As a pass rush specialist — Michigan has plenty of other options. Hutchinson was getting used inside regularly. Paye has been a passing down DT also. Freshman can often fill this role too. So what is Dwumfour really bringing to the table relative to younger options like Smith?
That all said, I hope this portends good news coming for a grad transfer. DT depth is a question given Jeter’s lack of contribution heading into his senior year.
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I get the sense he was not invited to return for the extra year. While I am generally inclined to value depth and still see untapped potential in MD I can understand the decision to part ways. It may be best for both player and team.
Dwumfour was a solid rotation player when healthy for multiple seasons. But he never lived up to the offseason buzz and never stayed healthy. This staff doesn’t have much tolerance for that.
Michigan moved on. Hinton is younger and got more snaps at the end of the year. Unlike Hurst, Dwumfour never figured out how to be an asset against the run. As a pass rush specialist, well Michigan has plenty of other options. Hutchinson was getting used inside regularly. Paye has been a passing down DT also. Freshman can often fill this role too. So what is Dwumfour really bringing to the table relative to younger options like Smith?
That all said I hope this portends good news coming for a grad transfer. DT depth is a question given Jeters lack of contribution heading into his senior year.
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