Michigan Football: Transfer DT to take a visit, plus another position move

Michigan football is looking to add to its roster via the transfer portal and will host a defensive tackle soon, plus another current player to play two positions? 

We all know that Michigan football isn’t super active when it comes to the transfer portal. Part of that has to do with getting into the University of Michigan, and it’s just the way it is.

But the Wolverines can still attract talent via the transfer portal. They just have to target guys that have graduated or are first-year players. Those are the students that tend to have the easiest time getting into school without losing a bunch of credits.

Michigan football already made one addition via the transfer portal in Victor Oluwatimi, a former All-American at Virginia who is expected to be the starting center next fall.

And another could be on the way as Chris Balas of The Wolverine reports that U-M is interested in former UCF defensive tackle Cam Goode, who will be visiting soon.

Goode is a 6-foot-2, 315-pound defensive tackle. He was a three-star recruit out of high school ranked in the top 600 and went to Virginia Tech before transferring to the Knights. He played 2019-2021 with UCF and had three sacks in each of the past two seasons.

Last season, he also had four tackles for loss, three passes batted down and four forced fumbles for the Knights. The big man also intercepted a pass and in the previous season, 2020, he was credited with 7.5 tackles for loss along with three sacks.

Goode could certainly add some depth on the defensive line which took a hit when Chris Hinton declared for the NFL draft earlier than some had expected.

Mazi Smith is expected to take a big leap this year and really burst on the scene, getting honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2021.

With Mike Morris, Kris Jenkins, Donovan Jeter, Rayshaun Benny, and other youngsters capable of stepping into those roles, defensive tackle doesn’t feel like it’s a huge need.

But, D-line depth is vital and you can never have enough. You can also never have enough interior pass rushers and if Morris, who is probably Michigan’s best in that area, is playing more on the edge, that could be another reason to pursue a guy like Goode.

Another position change

Michigan football has also been looking at running backs in the portal. The Wolverines were looking for an addition there earlier this winter but whiffed and could still use a bigger back to replace Hassan Haskins.

Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards are going to be dynamic. But Jim Harbaugh has always loved that short-yardage, power-type back. Remember how he loved using Ben Mason and others like that? Tavi Dunlap, a second-year player is one option. Another is linebacker Kalel Mullings.

Mullings was a two-way stud in high school and was a standout at running back in addition to playing linebacker. And since he’s probably not going to start at linebacker, although he’s on the two-deep by my estimation, he’s getting a chance to play some running back too according to another report from Balas (subscription required).

Like Mike Sainristil, Mullings could end up playing both ways. Sainristil has turned some heads playing defensive back and sounds like he could have a very real shot of being the starting nickel.

And who knows, if the staff is giving Mullings the chance to carry the ball, it likely has a reason to do so and I think it’s an intriguing solution to a problem that might not be solved in the portal.