Wolverine TV: The latest intel on Michigan and the transfer portal

The Wolverine’s EJ Holland discusses remaining needs for Michigan in the transfer portal and shares his thoughts on U-M’s recent commits, including Princeton running back John Volker.

Watch the full video at the end of this story.

Volker Recruitment

Volker made a visit to Michigan late last week and committed to the Wolverines on Monday morning. He has officially signed with U-M and will join the program in June.

Volker, who was a team captain at Princeton, rushed for 1,175 yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging 4.9 yards per carry, over 30 games. He also logged 272 receiving yards and two more scores.

The 6-foot, 215-pounder had his most productive season last year, rushing for 514 yards and six touchdowns en route to earning Honorable Mention All-Ivy and Phil Steele Fourth-Team All-Ivy.

Volker was also a Phil Steele Third-Team All-Ivy selection in 2023 when he rushed for 447 yards and seven touchdowns.

Volker was originally part of the 2021 recruiting class and was a three-star prospect out of Rumson (N.J.) Fair Haven. Volker picked Princeton over offers from Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard, Yale and others.

Volker was ranked as the No. 123 running back and No. 1,522 overall prospect nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking. He was a two-time all-conference selection in football and led his track team to a New Jersey state title.

Here is what Holland had to say about Volker, who has one year of eligibility remaining.

“Volker has a sturdy frame at 6-foot, 210 pounds,” Holland said. “He has terrific testing times. He ran a verified 4.4 40. He’s tough between the tackles but has enough speed to get to the outside. Volker is a quality depth piece for the running back room. He’s not going to be your featured back, but he can certainly play an important role. Volker also has a hard working attitude and seems like a great culture fit.”

Volker is one of two transfer portal running back commits. The other is CJ Hester, who signed with Michigan after playing at UMass in the fall.

Michigan has landed 17 players out of the transfer portal so far — Volker, Hester, punter Luke Bauer, kicker Beckham Sunderland (Texas State), defensive back Caleb Anderson (Louisiana), wide receiver Anthony Simpson (UMass), long snapper Trent Middleton (UCLA), quarterback Mikey Keene (Fresno State), running back Justice Haynes (Alabama), linebacker Troy Bowles (Georgia), wide receiver Donaven McCulley (Indiana), offensive lineman Lawrence Hattar (Ferris State), offensive lineman Brady Norton (Cal Poly), cornerback Tevis Metcalf (Arkansas), safety TJ Metcalf (Arkansas), defensive lineman Tre Williams (Clemson) and defensive tackle Damon Payne Jr. (Alabama).

Michigan entered the spring transfer portal window with the No. 10 ranked class nationally and No. 3 ranked class in the Big Ten, per the On3 Transfer Portal Index. The Wolverines currently sit behind Rutgers and Oregon.