Sherrone Moore, Jesse Minter review Michigan's transfer portal additions

The Michigan Wolverines built the foundation of the 2023 squad on the recruiting trail but augmented the returning talent with productive pieces to the puzzle from the transfer portal. It helped round out a squad that has national title aspirations.

Michigan added nine transfers to the mix last offseason in offensive tackles Myles Hinton and LaDarius Henderson, center Drake Nugent, tight end AJ Barner, quarterback Jack Tuttle, linebacker Ernest Hausmann, EDGE Josaiah Stewart, cornerback Josh Wallace and kicker James Turner.

Each has added his own unique flavor to the roster this year.

“They’ve been outstanding, offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Sherrone Moore said this week. Start with the guys up front with Drake, one of the best centers in the country, was a finalist for the Remington, just been a great addition. Played at a very high level and brings the toughness, just kind of adds to the room with who he is, what he is and what the room is. Ladarius, First Team All-Big Ten, what a great player, what a great human being. I think that’s the biggest piece for all those guys. You go to Myles Hinton who started games for us and played at a really good level. All those guys have come in and have been part of the culture, very selfless.

“We always have “wise words” after practice and [Nugent] got to break it down in spring and said I haven’t done anything, I just want to show you guys that I can help the team. That just tells who these kids are. Jack Tuttle, just a tremendous addition. Obviously hasn’t played as much, but just his leadership, what he does, his experience, someone to lean on for J.J., for the other QBs in the room.

“AJ Barner has been spectacular for us. Phenomenal addition. All of those guys have been part of the culture, they’ve made it so easy for the transition from us to them and for them to us. Couldn’t ask for a better group of guys.”

Defensively, the guys added at all three levels of the defense have had a tremendous impact in raising the ceiling of the Michigan defense. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is over the moon about what they have brought to the table.

“The three guys, Josh, Josaiah, Ernest, I was having a conversation with Coach Herb this morning, those three guys have completely elevated our defense in areas where we needed not only needed competition, we needed veterans, we needed experience, we needed depth,” Minter said. “All three have been home runs in that regard.

“Josh Wallace, sometimes you look at the PFF stuff and it makes sense, sometimes it doesn’t. But, I do know he was one of the highest-rated transfers at corner on the PFF stuff. I think he’s played really well. Really steady. Exactly what we hoped he would be when we decided to recruit him. Feels like he started every game but I think there was a couple that he didn’t, maybe we started in base or something. Key, key contributor.

“Ernest Hausmann, it’s been well-documented but he came in and he made the other two guys better just by competition. He’s elevated the depth in that room, he’s allowed us to play more people. He went out there in the Big Ten Championship and I think he had 8 tackles. Played really well.

“Josaiah, I think he’s going to be an elite rusher for a long time. I think he’s got a really good skillset. I think he’s settled in this year to learning everything, learning our defense. Splits time with Jaylen. You combine those two and those numbers and you probably have the Big Ten defensive player of the year if that was one person. It’s two, they stay fresh, they stay healthy. He’s played really well, he’s been a great addition. The most important thing, they came in right away fit in line with the culture, brought their own personality to it and can’t say enough about those guys and the addition that they brought.”

Michigan and its cavalcade of transfers will next play on New Year’s Day in the Rose Bowl vs. the Alabama Crimson Tide. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET from Pasadena in the College Football Playoff semifinal televised on ESPN.