With the onslaught of transfer portal entries in college football, it’s inevitable that Michigan will face some more departures this off-season. Four players have already announced their intentions to transfer, and two (Cade McNamara and Erick All to Iowa) have already found a landing spot. Quarterback Alan Bowman and tight end Louis Hansen are both headed for, ahem, greener pastures.
McNamara and All are both somewhat unique cases of players who played a lot but felt slighted in some way, but Bowman and Hansen are more typical cases of players buried on the depth chart who want to see some light at the end of the tunnel. This post explores several players in similar situations who may find better situations elsewhere.
You can find the version for the offensive side of the ball here (LINK).
DISCLAIMER: This post is speculative in nature and not intended to encourage/discourage any player from leaving Michigan’s program. The reality is that college football is now a lot like unrestricted free agency from year to year.
LB JOEY VELAZQUEZ
Why he should stay: Velazquez is a solid two-sport athlete who’s having a decent impact on the baseball field with Michigan’s baseball team. His playing time on the field has increased yearly from one game in 2020 to seven games in 2021 to eleven games so far in the 2022 season. He is a steady contributor on special teams and has made a career-high 6 tackles.
Why he might leave: Playing time has been difficult to find on defense, and he has never risen above third string on defense. He was immediately passed by freshman Jimmy Rolder this fall, and the commitment of Ernest Hausmann probably does not bode well for the staff’s faith in Velazquez contributing on defense in 2023. Velazquez only has one season of eligibility remaining, and he may want to go somewhere he can compete for a starting job, which is extremely unlikely in Ann Arbor.
Hit the jump for more.
S QUINTEN JOHNSON
Why he should stay: Johnson’s playing time picked up a little bit this season. Not only has he played in all thirteen games, but he has set a career high with 9 tackles and 1 tackle for loss. He has been playing on a lot of special teams for the past couple seasons, but the departures of Brad Hawkins and Daxton Hill opened up more time at safety.
Why he might leave: Going into his fifth season, Johnson has yet to secure a starting spot and will be on the outside looking in for 2023, looking up at the likes of Rod Moore, R.J. Moten, and Makari Paige. He’s a player who could probably go to a little bit smaller program – or even a lower tier Big Ten squad – and at least be in the mix to start.
CB JALEN PERRY
Why he should stay: There’s a possibility that Michigan will be losing at least two corners after this season in Gemon Green and D.J. Turner II; while Will Johnson is assuredly handling one of those spots next year, the other position is open and Michigan is considering transfer portal options for 2023.
Why he might leave: Well . . . Michigan is considering transfer portal options. They do not appear to be extremely confident in their remaining options, though that could be just because Perry only has one year of eligibility left. Regardless, Perry has played sparingly, mainly on special teams or in blowouts. He’s from Georgia and may want to play closer to home for a season or two.
EDGE KECHAUN BENNETT
Why he should stay: Michigan’s development at the edge position has been outstanding, with those players consistently making an impact on the game. Even before Michigan adjusted to a Baltimore Ravens-style defense and spit out David Ojabo and Aidan Hutchinson, the staff was producing outstanding edge rushers like Josh Uche, Chase Winovich, and Taco Charlton. Mike Morris and Taylor Upshaw are both likely gone after the season, leaving room for the backups to level up.
Why he might leave: After two seasons in Ann Arbor, Bennett has played in just four total games, even though Michigan blows almost every opponent out. After the cupcake non-conference season was over, Bennett did not sniff the field. There has been zero practice buzz about Bennett, and at 6’4″ and 241 lbs., he’s still pretty light. Class of 2022 freshman Derrick Moore already blew past Bennett on the depth chart.
DT IKE IWUNNAH
Why he should stay: Michigan is an outstanding team and school with good defensive line development.
Why he might leave: Iwunnah has watched a bunch of blowout victories go past without sniffing the field. A bunch of younger players and classmates have scooted past him for playing time, including Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, and Rayshaun Benny. The Texas native has spent two years in Michigan and may want to head closer to home.
LB JAYDON HOOD
Why he should stay: He’s talented! At 6’1″ and 217 lbs., he still has room to grow and could be in line for more playing time if he can pack on a little more bulk.
Why he might leave: Hood has only played in three games this season. Jimmy Rolder passed him up as a freshman, and Michigan recruited Nebraska’s Ernest Hausmann out of the transfer portal. I don’t really see a path for Hood to be anywhere above a third-stringer behind Colson, Hill-Green, Mullings, and Rolder.
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