Michigan football transfer hot board: Tracking portal pursuits for Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines football is looking to add some talent from the transfer portal. The Maize and Blue nabbed former Arizona State offensive lineman LaDarius Henderson Dec. 6 and are seeking to make some more lands.
Here, we break down Michigan’s transfer commits, offers and potential needs, and track where things stand with periodic updates.
COMMITS
OL LaDarius Henderson
Previous school: Arizona State
Breakdown: LaDarius Henderson met with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and co-offensive coordinators Sherrone Moore and Matt Weiss, and made his pledge to the Maize and Blue shortly thereafter, making his announcement Dec. 6. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
The 6-5, 310-pounder has started 29 games and played 1,802 offensive snaps over the last three seasons, and was named a Sun Devils team captain in 2022. He’s expected to compete at left tackle for Michigan despite playing left guard each of the last two seasons. He started at left tackle as a freshman in 2019.
RELATED: Who stays, who goes on the Michigan O-line, and how LaDarius Henderson fits
OFFERS
EDGE Josaiah Stewart
Previous school: Coastal Carolina
Offers: Michigan (Dec. 6), Virginia Tech (Dec. 6), West Virginia (Dec. 6), Mississippi State (Dec. 7), Missouri (Dec. 7), USC (Dec. 7)
Breakdown: Josaiah Stewart has two years of eligibility remaining and is beginning to rack up Power-Five offers. Michigan has an ‘in,’ with Stewart having attended Everett (Mass.) High with senior defensive back Mike Sainristil.
The 6-2, 230-pounder had 10 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 2022, earning second-team All-Sun Belt honors. He generated 40 pressures, leading his team and ranking tied for 30th nationally among edge rushers. Stewart was even more productive as a freshman in 2021, leading the Sun Belt and ranking fifth nationally with 12.5 sacks. The former three-star prospect added 43 tackles, including 15.5 behind the line of scrimmage, with 3 forced fumbles. He led his squad with 41 pressures. He was named the 2022 Sun Belt Preseason Defensive Player of the Year after shining as a freshman.
RELATED: Michigan football offers former Coastal Carolina EDGE Josaiah Stewart out of transfer portal
TE Josh Cuevas
Previous school: Cal Poly (FCS)
Offers: Washington (Dec. 5), Utah (Dec. 5), Nevada (Dec. 5), Arizona State (Dec. 5), Michigan (Dec. 6), Illinois (Dec. 6)
Breakdown: Josh Cuevas redshirted in 2021, played a key role in 2022 and has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
Cuevas hauled in 58 receptions, which ranked third among FCS tight ends, per PFF, for 663 yards (fourth) and 6 touchdowns (tied for fifth) this season. He also posted a 70.6 PFF run-blocking rating, which slotted third on his team. Cal Poly went 2-9 this past season and failed to make the postseason. The Los Angeles, Calif., native earned FCS Freshman All-American honors and was named third-team All-Big Sky.
RELATED: Michigan offers former Cal Poly tight end Josh Cuevas out of transfer portal
NEEDS
Michigan has reported offers out to a tight end and edge rusher, and we strongly believe the Wolverines are still monitoring other offensive linemen despite landing Henderson.
The Maize and Blue are set to be strong on the offensive line, and may get senior left guard Trevor Keegan and junior right guard Zak Zinter back for another season, but they’re always looking for more talent up front. Depth is huge to have, and we saw that on display this season with some moving parts due to injury.
Michigan junior running back Blake Corum is out for the season with a knee injury that required surgery. He has a big upcoming decision to make — whether or not to enter the NFL Draft. Should he miss some or all of pre-draft workouts, that would complicate his decision-making process. If he does go, expect Michigan to pursue a running back.
The Wolverines could also look for a quarterback as depth behind sophomore J.J. McCarthy.
On the defensive side, Michigan should be on the lookout for cornerback help, in our opinion. It’s possible that one or both of graduate Gemon Green and senior DJ Turner opt for the NFL. In that case, it would leave just freshman Will Johnson as one with relevant experience. Former Virginia cornerback Fentrell Cypress II is an option that Michigan is eyeing.
The Maize and Blue could also seek more help at edge rusher and linebacker, among other positions, but appear to be in great shape with plenty of returning talent.
