Michigan Football: Breaking down a pair of transfer portal departures

Michigan football lost two players to the transfer portal on Monday as Anthony Solomon and Darion Green-Warren both decided to leave the program. 

It’s that time of year for college football fans as the transfer portal activity is about to pick up. Michigan football has already been active in the portal, adding an All-American center.

But the transfer portal is a two-way street and on Monday, the Wolverines lost two defenders in Anthony Solomon and Darion Green-Warren.

Both Solomon and Green-Warren signed with Michigan football as four-star recruits. Yet, neither was able to earn much playing time the last two seasons.

Solomon is an inside linebacker and was recruited by Don Brown to the Wolverines. He was probably a better fit for that system of defense, which is why it makes sense that Solomon would end up in Arizona. He’s already committed to the Wildcats where Brown is the DC.

Veteran Josh Ross could possibly return next season but if he winds up going to the NFL, there will be an opening but Nikai Hill-Green and Junior Colson have the lead on both starting jobs next season. Plus, Kalel Mullings and others will also be in the mix.

Four-star cornerback also leaves Michigan football

Green-Warren’s departure is disappointing, but also not entirely shocking. He was essentially a top-100 recruit and a late addition in the 2020 recruiting class. Along with Andre Seldon, it seemed like Green-Warren had the talent of a future starter.

However, he hasn’t played at all in the past two seasons and the Wolverines are bringing in an elite class of defensive backs, one that includes five-star cornerback Will Johnson, as well as two others in Myles Pollard and Kody Jones who have the ability to push for time right away.

DJ Turner is expected back and he will have one starting job. Plus, Gemon Green could have a shot at the other job, assuming he’s back in the fold next season. Vincent Gray is sort of an unknown. He could head to the NFL draft but his Georgia tape wasn’t great so he may return.

Green-Warren could look to play for a school closer to home in California, but either way, both him and Solomon are examples of talented recruits that just weren’t a fit.

Stars matter but they also don’t necessarily lead to productivity.