LIVE BLOG: Transfer portal tracker – Michigan activity in and out, potential targets and more

The NCAA Transfer Portal officially opened at midnight on April 16, which should kick off what some are expecting to be chaos that could benefit the Michigan Wolverines.

Michigan is finishing up its first spring camp under head coach Sherrone Moore and could have a few areas it looks to address in the portal, while others may explore their options. Needs for Michigan include quarterback, wide receiver, linebacker and defensive back, but any number of spots could be addressed if the staff feels like they are one piece away there.

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Michigan added a pair of transfers during the open window in December in former Northwestern offensive lineman Josh Priebe and former Maryland linebacker Jaishawn Barham. Both are expected to start for the Wolverines this fall.

The portal has been a key part of Michigan’s roster building over the last few seasons. The team added nine players via the portal last year to a team that ultimately won the national title, each of them contributing in a big way. Those players were quarterback Jack Tuttle, tight end AJ Barner, offensive linemen Ladarius Henederson, Myles Hinton and Drake Nugent, defensive end Josaiah Stewart, linebacker Ernest Hausmann, cornerback Josh Wallace and kicker James Turner.

Here, we will track Michigan’s transfers out, transfers in, potential targets of interest and more during the open spring window, which runs through April 30.

Michigan transfers out

• April 17, 1:37 p.m. – Michigan wideout-turned-defensive back-turned-wide receiver Cristian Dixon enters the portal

• April 16, 7:56 a.m. – Michigan wide receiver Karmello English has officially entered the portal, per On3’s Pete Nakos. He had previously announced his intention to enter on March 23.

Transfers in

Nothing to report just yet!

Potential targets of interest, other notes

• April 18, 12:42 p.m. – Former Michigan linebacker and Charlotte transfer Nikhai Hill-Green, who was recently seen working out in Ann Arbor, told On3 he will take visits to Arkansas, Colorado and Texas A&M.

• April 17, 8:10 p.m. – UCLA wide receiver transfer Kyle Ford (6-3, 220) has Michigan in the mix with six other schools for his services, including Ohio State, South Carolina, USC, Florida and Wake Forest.

• April 17. 12:24 p.m. – Kent State defensive tackle CJ West announced on Wednesday afternoon that he has received an offer from Michigan, the first known sent out during the open spring window.

• April 16, 4:26 p.m. – Georgia wide receiver Tyler Williams (6-3, 205) is in the transfer portal with four years of eligibility remaining. He was a four-star prospect and No. 91 player in the 2023 class and had a scholarship offer from Michigan coming out of high school.

• April 16, 2:18 p.m. – Colorado wideout Jacob Page (6-3, 180) is in the portal after spending one season in Boulder. He was a three-star recruit coming out of the 2023 class and did not record a stat last year.

• April 16, 12:34 p.m. – Boston College wide receiver Joseph Griffin Jr. (6-3, 199) is in the portal after 25 catches for 345 yards and a touchdown last season. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

• April 16, 10:38 a.m. – Colorado State wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons (6-3, 205) is in the portal. He had 45 catches for 724 yards and three touchdowns last season. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

• April 16, 10:05 a.m. – Arkansas QB Jacolby Criswell is in the portal after spending the spring in a position battle. The former four-star recruit started his career at North Carolina and transferred into Arkansas last year, going 17-for-27 for 143 yards and three touchdowns. He has one season of eligibility remaining.

• April 16, 9:49 a.m. – There’s been buzz out of spring ball that Michigan may seek kicker help in the portal. One name to watch could be Arkansas State’s Dominic Zvada, who entered the portal Tuesday with two seasons of eligibility remaining. Zvada is 34-of-40 (85%) over the last two years with a career-long kick of 56 yards. He’s 12-for-14 from 40-49 yards out and 2-for-3 from 50-plus yards.

• April 16, 7:36 a.m. – Charlotte wide receiver Jack Hestera (6-1, 185) enters the portal after leading the team with 28 catches for 349 yards and three touchdowns in 2023. The former Colorado transfer played for former Michigan staffer Biff Poggi at Charlotte and has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

• April 16, midnight – A lot has been made about the team’s quarterback situation and whether they explore that, but options are light as the portal opens. The highest-rated quarterback in On3’s Industry Ranking comes in at No. 596 overall in Georgetown senior Tyler Knoop, who threw for 2,303 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last year.

Options should increase during the open window, but as it opens, there are no slam dunks available to Michigan.

• April 15, 5:02 p.m. – Michigan feels relatively set at EDGE, but could afford to add a rotational piece if interested. Pitt EDGE Dayon Hayes could be a name to keep an eye on for “Edge Rusher U” with 13 career sacks and leading the ACC in pressure rate last season.

• April 15, 1:54 p.m. – Penn State’s KeAndre Lambert-Smith, their projected top wide receiver, entered the portal and should have no shortage of suitors. He has 1,721 career receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

• April 15, 11:47 a.m. – With only five scholarship players currently at wide receiver, Michigan could be on the hunt for veteran depth. One option entered the portal in Ohio’s Jacoby Jones (6-3, 228), who missed most of last season with an injury. He had 45 catches fro 776 yards and six touchdowns in 2022.