With 27 players leaving the Michigan Wolverines for what they deem to be greener pastures for their collegiate playing careers, a few of those departures are bound to cut pretty deep.
However, with 16 players joining the program and head coach Kyle Whittingham, a slight salve has been placed over a few of those gaps left behind.
Yet, as the Wolverines look toward the 2026 season, three of those absences are going to hurt a bit more than others, especially when Michigan has to see its former players in someone else's uniform.
Honorable mention: Jayden Sanders heading to Notre Dame
3 players leaving Michigan who will hurt to see in 2026
After three years with the Wolverines, Semaj Morgan announced he was entering the transfer portal. To make matters worse, he committed to the UCLA Bruins, who Michigan plays during its Big Ten schedule next season.
Morgan amassed 566 receiving yards over three years for four touchdowns, tacking on 124 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
His departure stung, but Mogan's commitment to a team in the same conference that the Wolverines face next season stings even more.
Similar to Morgan, wide receiver Frederick Moore entered the transfer portal after spending a few seasons with the Wolverines.
In two years at Michigan, Moore had 15 receptions for 160 yards and one touchdown through the air. In 2024, he also had four carries for 28 yards on the ground. In 2025, he saw minimal playing time and didn't record any stats on the offensive end of the ball.
While Moore didn't record the same volume of reps as Morgan did, his departure might sting a little more because of who he committed to, the Michigan State Spartans.
Linebacker Cole Sullivan's departure might literally hurt when the Michigan Wolverines have to take on the Oklahoma Sooners next season.
The veteran linebacker was a three-star prospect in the transfer portal after spending two years at Michigan, and quickly committed to the Sooners, a team that beat the Wolverines in 2025 and is set to visit Ann Arbor in 2026.
This season, Sullivan finished the year with 44 total tackles (28 solo), three interceptions, two sacks, one pass deflection, and one forced fumble. Simply put, Bryce Underwood has to keep an eye out for his former teammate next year.