Michigan Football: Should Wolverines look at QB in transfer portal?

There has been talk of Michigan football expressing interest in one graduate transfer at quarterback and we ask if that’s a good idea?

One of the most frustrating aspects of the ongoing contract talks between Michigan football and Jim Harbaugh is how the lack of a deal is hurting the Wolverines when it comes to recruiting.

Michigan was able to keep its 2021 class together for the most part and signed 20 recruits on early signing day, but the Wolverines have some big needs to address in the transfer portal and the late-signing period and the lack of certainty with Harbaugh isn’t helping.

For instance, Michigan football really needs to add some bodies at defensive tackle in the transfer portal, but those players are already leaving and if U-M waits, it will miss the boat.

The Wolverines have expressed interest in Penn State defensive tackle Antonio Shelton in the portal and the 330-pounder would be a tremendous fit.  But players don’t want to commit without knowing the head coach will be back or for that matter, who the defensive coordinator is.

Harbaugh might be working behind the scenes to hire the new DC to replace Don Brown, but time is of the essence here and I wish Michigan would act like it.

At any rate, there have been whispers of the Wolverines expressing interest in quarterback Jack Coan, a graduate transfer who played at Wisconsin last season. Chris Balas of Rivals cited a source (subscription required) that said Notre Dame, Michigan, Rutgers and Northwestern have all reached out to Coan.

Does Michigan need a veteran quarterback?

When I read that, I was glad because Michigan football does need an experienced quarterback going into next season and if the Wolverines could get someone like Coan, why not?

He didn’t end up playing any games this past season for Wisconsin after an injury, but as a junior he completed 69.6 percent of his passes along with 18 touchdowns and five picks. That experience could be valuable and if J.J. McCarthy isn’t quite ready, Coan could play for a year.

But at the same time, if you added Coan and then McCarthy was able to beat him out, you would probably feel even better about making him the starter and an experienced, successful Big Ten QB in the room wouldn’t be a bad thing either.

When Coan entered the portal, I wondered if Michigan football would have interest and it appears the do, although it’s hard to say serious their pursuit is.