Tag: Adam Samaha

Transfer Portal Shopping List

The transfer portal opens up on Tuesday, April 16, and lots of schools are going to be shopping. With spring games out of the way for many programs – and Michigan’s coming up this Saturday – we’re enough of the way through spring ball to be aware of some roster deficiencies going into the fall.

Here are the top three positions Michigan should be looking for in the transfer portal prior to August camp:

1. QUARTERBACK
I know there are some big Alex Orji fans out there, but . . . I’m not one of them. At least not yet. Orji was a project coming out of high school, and in his second season in a Michigan uniform, he did not attempt a single pass. Yes, he can run at 6’3″ and 236 pounds (15 carries, 86 yards, 1 touchdown in 2023), but I’m on the record as a Passing QB Enthusiast. While I’m not a proponent of statuesque quarterbacks, championship teams have good passers and decision-makers, not run-first quarterbacks. I don’t think Michigan has the roster to win an FBS championship in 2024, anyway, but I don’t think they’re going to hit their ceiling without finding a quarterback who can pass the ball efficiently. Some of the big names have already found a new home, but perhaps the Wolverines can find the 2024 version of Jake Rudock, a solid passing quarterback who led Michigan to ten wins back in 2015. Others in the running are seventh-year senior Jack Tuttle and redshirt sophomore Jayden Denegal, but Tuttle had shoulder surgery and Denegal needs some polish since he’s not quite as dangerous as a runner as Orji.

Hit the jump for more.

2023 Season Countdown: #62 Adam Samaha

Name: Adam Samaha
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 170 lbs.
High school: Ann Arbor (MI) Huron
Position: Kicker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Samaha was a senior in high school. He made 11/14 field goals, was perfect on extra points, and kicked touchbacks on 50/56 kickoffs.
TTB Rating: N/A

I regularly shrug my shoulders when it comes to evaluating kickers on film. The kicks they put on film look good, and the kicks that aren’t good don’t end up on film. Unlike, say, wide receiver where a poor release can still end up in an acrobatic catch, or where a 315-pound offensive lineman with poor technique can still pancake a poor 220-pound high school defensive tackle . . . consistency is key in kicking, and I just find that hard to evaluate on film.

So how much will Samaha factor into the 2023 season? Your guess is as good as mine. He could end up being the kickoff guy or the field goal guy. He could totally miss out on playing a single play in 2023. Michigan brought in Louisville transfer James Turner as a place kicker and Mississippi State transfer Hudson Hollenbeck to help with kickoffs. Throw in punter/kicker Tommy Doman, and Michigan has at least four guys capable of kicking balls in some way, shape, or form. If Samaha doesn’t win one of the jobs, I think he will at least provide good competition to keep Turner and/or Hollenbeck on their toes.

Prediction: Backup kicker

Visitors: Michigan vs. Illinois

2023

Cameron Calhoun – CB – Cincinnati (OH) Winton Woods: Calhoun, a recent Cincinnati decommit, is a 6’0″, 170-pounder with offers from Kentucky, Michigan, and West Virginia. He’s a 3-star, the #48 cornerback, and #483 overall. Calhoun – who was also committed to WVU at one point – decommitted during an official visit to Kentucky last weekend, so that’s the most likely landing spot going into this official visit.

Arion Carter – LB – Smyrna (TN) Smyrna: Carter is a 6’1″, 210 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Memphis, Michigan, Ohio State, and Tennessee; he has been committed to Memphis since July. Carter is a 4-star, the #24 linebacker, and #317 overall. Carter has backed out of a couple other official visit dates to Michigan, so my confidence is not very high that he strongly considers the Wolverines, and many people think he will end up at Alabama.

Amir Herring – OG – West Bloomfield (MI) West Bloomfield: Herring is committed to Michigan (LINK).

Jyaire Hill – CB – Kankakee (IL) Kankakee: Hill is a 6’1″, 170-pounder with offers from a bunch of schools, but Illinois and Michigan are the two primary ones on which to focus. He’s a 4-star, the #26 cornerback, and #203 overall. He took officials to Illinois and Michigan over the summer and seems to be going back and forth between the two schools, with Michigan having the lone 247 Sports crystal ball.

Hit the jump for more.

Visitors: Michigan vs. Michigan State

2023

Cole Cabana – RB – Dexter (MI) Dexter: Cabana is committed to Michigan (LINK).

D.J. Chester – OT – McDonough (GA) Eagle’s Landing Christian: Chester is a 6’5″, 300-pounder with offers from Auburn, LSU, Michigan, and Ole Miss, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #7 offensive tackle, and #55 overall. Auburn, LSU, and Ole Miss have already received official visits, and this is his fourth official of the process.

Spencer Fano – OT – Provo (UT) Timpview: Fano is a 6’5″, 270 lb. prospect with offers from BYU, Clemson, Michigan, Oregon, and Utah, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #8 offensive tackle, and #57 overall. He has visited Utah, Oregon, and Clemson, among others. This is an official visit.

Hit the jump for more.

Visitors: Michigan vs. Penn State

2023

Kendrick Bell – WR – Kansas City (MO) Park Hill: Bell is a 6’3″, 180-pounder with offers from Michigan and UMass. He’s the younger brother of Michigan wide receiver Ronnie Bell.

Arion Carter – LB – Smyrna (TN) Smyrna: Carter is a 6’1″, 210 lb. prospect who is committed to Memphis; he also has offers from Alabama, LSU, Michigan, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 3-star and the #38 athlete in the class. This is an official visit. UPDATE: Carter is now visiting Tennessee instead of Michigan this weekend.

Jyaire Hill – CB – Kankakee (IL) Kankakee: Hill is a 6’1″, 170-pounder with offers from Auburn, Illinois, Michigan, and Washington, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #13 cornerback, and #147 overall.

Hit the jump for more.