Michigan Football in strong position for transfer DT Cam Goode

Michigan football is loaded with talent heading into 2022 but the Wolverines want to add depth at defensive tackle and are the team to beat with a transfer. 

Following the spring game, it’s hard not to feel good about the Michigan football depth chart. The Wolverines are expected to be outstanding on offense this season but the defense showed a lot of promise on Saturday too.

One position group that really stood out for Michigan football was the defensive line or more specifically defensive tackle.

Mazi Smith took a huge step forward last season and he’s continued that this offseason. He was dominant in the spring game and he wasn’t alone. Kris Jenkins, Rayshaun Benny, George Rooks, and even freshman Mason Graham all had standout performances and the Michigan offensive line is no slouch with 7-8 starting-caliber players on the two-deep.

So even though the defensive line (edge rushers and defensive tackles) seemed like critical needs to fill earlier in the offseason, Michigan is answering those needs with development.

We all know that Michigan isn’t overly active in the transfer portal. It generally goes after graduates because undergraduates can sometimes have difficulty getting their credits to transfer to the University.

Cam Goode is a transfer from UCF and after taking a visit to Ann Arbor over the weekend, the Wolverines are sitting in a very strong position, at least according to Chris Balas of The Wolverine (subscription required). 

"“By all accounts, this one is looking good for Michigan. He’s still contemplating a Notre Dame visit, however, so it’s not over yet.”"

How Goode would fit with Michigan football

After his stellar performance on Saturday, Jenkins seems like a sure-fire starter to me and that includes if Michigan uses a 4-2-5 front as it did more than any other in 2021.

However, Goode would be a nice addition for that front, as well as the odd-front Michigan football will play. He’s outstanding against the run and had 23 tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks last season.

That production may not translate exactly to the Big Ten but he was one of UCF’s best-run defenders as well as a solid interior pass rusher.

Having Goode (6-foot-3, 315 pounds) starting on a three-man defensive line next to Smith and Jenkins seems possible and even if he doesn’t start, extra depth at defensive tackle is never a bad thing.

We’ll see how it plays out because as Balas said, a visit to Notre Dame could make this more interesting, but as of right now, it feels very much like the Wolverines are the team to beat.