Breaking down all Michigan Football’s departures so far

Michigan football has had a number of players declare for the NFL draft and hit the transfer portal so we break it all down and catch you up. 

It’s crazy to think that Michigan football could be playing in just a few days had the Wolverines been able to win the Orange Bowl. Instead, the Wolverines are dealing with a rash of players leaving for the NFL draft and also via the transfer portal.

When you reach the College Football Playoff and win championships, that’s the cost of doing business. And as expected, both Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo declared for the 2022 NFL draft as they should with each expected to go in the top 10. Hutchinson should contend for the No. 1 overall pick.

But they aren’t the only Michigan football players to declare for the 2022 NFL draft. Daylen Baldwin joined the group on Wednesday and surprisingly, so did defensive tackle, Chris Hinton.

Baldwin did have a year of eligibility remaining, but on a loaded depth chart, one with three talented receivers coming in as a freshman, his opportunities probably weren’t going to increase so it makes sense.

Hinton is also coming off his best season and 300-pound defensive tackles don’t grow on trees. He was a five-star recruit according to some services and I wouldn’t be shocked at all if his name was called on day two of the NFL draft.

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What these departures mean for Michigan football

It hurts losing Hutchinson and Ojabo. There’s no debating that. Both recorded double-digit sacks and offer an elite skill of rushing the passer.

But Hinton’s loss is right there because he was expected to anchor the middle of the defense along with the Mazi Smith. They were supposed to be the strength. We’ll see now if Smith stays or not. If he does, Michigan football should be solid, as long as some guys step up.

Kris Jenkins Jr. and Mike Morris have already shown they can play and I’d have complete confidence in a starting trio of Smith, Jenkins, and Morris, plus Taylor Upshaw and Jaylen Harrell outside. Furthermore, I expect big things from Rayshaun Benny.

Benny will need to contribute maybe sooner than expected but he wasn’t brought to Ann Arbor to sit on the bench forever. There was some thought he could have contributed this season and he was a guy that turned heads during bowl preparation.

Michigan football could still look to the transfer portal for help but the need is probably greater at edge rusher than defensive tackle — as long Smith returns next season.

Braiden McGregor and TJ Guy are two edge rushers who could step forward next season. McGregor was ranked similar to Hutchinson coming out of high school but injured his knee his senior year and hasn’t been quite the same since.

In terms of the portal, Michigan has already seen a number of departures. Anthony Solomon, George Johnson III, Darion Green-Warren, and Andre Seldon have all entered the portal. All of those guys were recruited by the previous defensive staff and Solomon already joined Don Brown in Arizona.

It’s a bummer that Seldon and Green-Warren didn’t work out. They were highly-touted DBs but that opens up some spots for Michigan to make some additions in the portal, which are needed.

The Wolverines could use help on the defensive line and potentially at safety too, where two starters — Brad Hawkins and Daxton Hill — could be gone, although Hill is still deciding.

Most of these departures were ones that you could see coming. So that’s the good news. Hinton was a little surprising but not shocking if you pay attention.

Hopefully, Michigan football can convince Hill to come back but I wouldn’t hold my breath. I also don’t think he’s a guaranteed first-round pick right now which he could be if he returned.

There’s a lot to weigh but despite all the news of players leaving, there’s no need to worry or panic. The offseason is mostly going as expected and it’s up to the Wolverines to mine the portal to help fill their most immediate needs.