Michigan Football should be wary of transfer QB JT Daniels

Michigan football is one reported destination of interest for USC quarterback JT Daniels, but here’s why the Wolverines should be wary of getting involved.

Under head coach Jim Harbaugh, Michigan football has found some success with transfers, especially at quarterback.

Some might take issue with that statement, but Harbaugh did find Jake Rudock and Shea Patterson, who started three seasons combined for the Wolverines. Patterson won 19 games in two years, while Rudock won 10 games in his lone season in 2015.

I bring this up, of course, because Michigan football is reportedly one of the schools that former five-star quarterback JT Daniels is interested in after entering the transfer portal. The former USC starter played only one game for the Trojans last season and could have three years of eligibility.

In his first season with the Trojans, Daniels played in 11 games, completing 59.5 percent of his passes, throwing 14 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. He also threw for 2,672 yards.

But after a rocky second season with the Trojans, Daniels has entered the portal and Sam Webb of the Michigan Insider reported ($) that Daniels is interested in the Wolverines. His dad is a Michigan native and the Wolverines were a finalist back in his recruitment.

However, what isn’t known, is if Michigan will return that interest. That’s the key question and while it might seem like a no-brainer to kick the tires on a five-star quarterback with experience, it’s not that simple.

For starters, Michigan football has Joe Milton and Dylan McCaffrey to think about. Both of those guys have bided their time and seem ready to compete for the job this fall. They are familar in the offense and were both highly touted in their own right coming out of high school.

If Daniels transferred to Michigan, even if he wasn’t immediately eligible, it would likely lead to some kind of attrition. And that’s not even the biggest concern.

The bigger issue is incoming five-star recruit J.J. McCarthy. He’s the No. 2 quarterback in the 2021 class and really, he’s the top priority for the future. He wants to beat Ohio State and whatever happens, Michigan football can’t put that recruitment in jeopardy.

I get that transfers have had tons of success in the College Football Playoff and that Michigan shouldn’t just turn up its nose at a five-star signal caller, who ranks very similar to McCarthy, plus he has some college experience.

Yet, with Milton and McCaffrey already on the roster and McCarthy coming in, if the Wolverines want Daniels, they have to be prepared to lose one of other three.