Michigan appears set to add former five-star recruit via transfer portal
Michigan has had its shares of ups and downs with the transfer portal over the last number of years, but appears to be on the verge of announcing a win. A source informed The Wolverine on Tuesday that Michigan admitted former five-star recruit Eyabi Anoma to the university. Hours later, he appeared as an enrollee in the school directory.
Anoma will have two seasons of eligibility remaining when he hits the field for Michigan. He is a graduate transfer and is able to play this season for the Wolverines.
Anoma’s background
Anoma, who has spent time at Alabama, Houston, and UT Martin, entered the transfer portal on Aug. 15. Michigan was involved in his recruiting during the 2018 cycle and he played for Associate Head Coach Biff Poggi at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland. Michigan fans will recognize that as the school that produced junior running back Blake Corum and junior linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green and freshman EDGE Derrick Moore, among others.
Anoma was the No. 3 overall player in the 2018 class and an On3 Consensus Five-Star Plus recruit, meaning he was listed as five-star on each of the major recruiting services. After receiving little playing time at Alabama, he was dismissed for a violation of team rules and academic issues.
Anoma transferred to Houston in 2019 but was also dismissed from the program. He transferred to UT Marti and sat out in 2020 due to NCAA rules. Last season, he was an All-Ohio Valley Conference pick and on the OVC All-Newcomer team, notching 36 tackles (9.5 for loss) and six sacks on the year. He entered the transfer portal for a third time on Aug. 15 before enrolling at Michigan.
What he brings to Michigan
Michigan was a factor in Anoma’s recruitment coming out of high school before he committed to Alabama. Back in 2017, he described his approach to the game to USA Today:
“I play all my games with the same intensity with urgency. I don’t take downs for granted. Even if the ball is away from me, I’m still running to the ball trying to make a play. Against IMG, the film shows I had a couple of tackles from the back. Had I been running half speed or taking a loaf, I wouldn’t have made the play but because I was running full speed, I was able to make the play.”
Some may wonder how Anoma fits at Michigan given his dismissals from other programs and untapped potential. Poggi has the ear of head coach Jim Harbaugh, so there is a connection there. The program has touted its revamped culture over the last few seasons, so if they trust what was built and that Anoma can help the EDGE rotation, taking a shot makes sense.
We will have more on this story as updated information becomes available.
