Michigan Football: A new potential transfer portal target for Wolverines

Things are picking up regarding the transfer portal and a defensive lineman with ties to the Michigan football staff entered on Wednesday. 

Looking at the current Michigan football roster, there aren’t many needs heading into the 2023 season.

Fans will disagree about what they are even. Michigan football fans are hoping for another cornerback and that’s probably most fans. There have also been rumblings about a veteran kicker, a wide receiver, and maybe a pass rusher.

It’s always fun to think about potential additions but it’s worth remembering that there is an 85-man scholarship limit in college football and the Wolverines are going to need some subtractions to the roster just to meet that limit this fall.

That being said, the numbers always tend to work out. I wouldn’t expect a bunch of transfer portal additions this spring, but there could be a couple.

One transfer portal player to watch

A player that entered the transfer portal on Wednesday that Michigan football fans should keep an eye on is former top-100 defensive lineman Tywone Malone.

Malone’s primary recruiter at Ole Miss was Chris Partridge, who is now the linebackers coach for the Wolverines. Malone is listed as 6-foot-4, 305 pounds, and is from Oradell, New Jersey.

Partridge has strong ties to the state of New Jersey, which helped Michigan football land Rashan Gary and others from what was once a New Jersey pipeline.

Michigan will be looking to re-establish that with Partridge, who is an elite recruiter and his presence on the staff is one reason why the Wolverines could have some interest in Malone.

Malone has 13 career tackles and one sack. The ability is there and you can’t ever have enough D-line depth but I don’t know that Malone would have a huge role with U-M next season.

The defensive line is loaded. Kris Jenkins, Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, and Rayshaun Benny would be difficult to beat out and the situation would be similar to Ole Miss.

Malone might be fine with that. If so, it could be a fit but if he is wanting to be guaranteed a starting role, Michigan football isn’t the place for him.

That being said, if he wants to reach his vast potential and still play baseball, Michigan might be a great fit, and down the road, Malone could easily be a starter or key contributor — it just won’t be easy to do that this season, so we’ll see if Michigan reaches out.