Tag: D'Juan Waller

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.

Michigan 52, Indiana 7

Run the damn ball. Coming into the game, Indiana was ranked #91 in rushing defense. And it was raining. So naturally, Michigan decided to come out throwing, with four pass plays and two rushes in the first six plays. Two of those pass plays resulted in sacks, and one was a drop by Colston Loveland. Meanwhile, the two carries by Corum averaged 4.5 yards per rush. Michigan wasn’t necessarily going to obliterate Indiana on the ground with huge runs, but they could have just taken over the game physically instead of trying to throw in those conditions.

Hit the jump for more.

2023 Season Countdown: #112 D.J. Waller, Jr.

Name: D.J. Waller, Jr.
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 195 lbs.
High school: Youngstown (OH) Chaney
Position: Cornerback
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Waller was a senior in high school. He made 47 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 interception.
TTB Rating: N/A

Waller was a late add to Michigan’s class in the early signing period. He was not offered until November of his senior year, and he didn’t commit to the Wolverines until December 18, just three days before National Signing Day. He was ranked as a 3-star, the #73 cornerback, and #703 overall in the 247 Composite rankings. He committed at such a busy time – and so little was known about him – that it turns out I didn’t even write a commitment post for him, which was an oversight on my part.

Anyway, Waller was a high school safety and wide receiver who’s ranked as a cornerback but who some think might be a linebacker in college. I have seen some comparisons to former Michigan cornerback Jeremy Clark, who was 6’3″ and 220 lbs and turned into a 6th round pick. Clark was a project, and so is Waller. Waller might be too stiff for cornerback, and he’s too light to play linebacker right now. His best bet for early playing time is probably playing special teams, but redshirts don’t usually get burned just for special teams time. I’m guessing he will spend his freshman year percolating on the sideline.

Prediction: Redshirt

Visitors: December 16-18, 2022

TRANSFERS

A.J. Barner – TE – Indiana: Barner is a 6’6″, 250 lb. starting tight end and captain from the Hoosiers. After spending three seasons in Bloomington, he has two seasons of eligibility left. This season he caught 28 passes for 199 yards and 3 touchdowns. Barner was a 3-star, the #51 tight end, and #1147 overall in the class of 2020. With Michigan losing Erick All (Iowa), Luke Schoonmaker (NFL), Louis Hansen (transfer), Carter Selzer (graduation), and Joel Honigford (graduation), they need some reinforcements at the tight end position.

Josaiah Stewart – OLB – Coastal Carolina: Stewart is a 6’2″, 230 lb. outside linebacker whom Michigan offered when he came out of high school in 2021. He went to Coastal Carolina and had an outstanding freshman season followed up by a pretty solid sophomore year. Now that he’s in the transfer portal, he has two years of eligibility remaining and appears to be choosing between Michigan and USC.

Hit the jump for more.

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.