Michigan football added not one, but two players from the transfer portal to the roster on Sunday as the Wolverines landed former UMass wideout Anthony Simpson, as well as former Louisiana cornerback Caleb Anderson.
Neither player was highly ranked in the transfer portal but filled a key need. Simpson is 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, and ranked as the No. 907 player available in the transfer portal via 247 Sports. He was ranked 160th among wide receivers.
Anderson, who entered the transfer portal on January 3rd, isn't ranked. He's 6-foot-2, 185 pounds. He's been a multi-year starter. Simpson was that too and here are three thoughts on their commitments to Michigan football.
Two needs filled
Simpson and Anderson aren't super-highly ranked players. Fans can scoff at that, but the Wolverines needed another wide receiver. They could still use a bigger dude like Tru Edwards from Louisiana Tech, but adding Simpson gives them another weapon who can play outside or in the slot.
Anderson also filled a need. Mchigan football needed at least one veteran corneback from the transfer portal. Yes, it would be have been nice to land one of the top-ranked players at each position, but that just didn't seem to be reality.
The coaching staff swung and missed. But they were familiar with Simpson and Anderson and both have solid production. Anderson has started the past two seasons. He's got 58 tackles, two interceptions and six pass breakups.
Simpson only played in two games last season but in 2023 he caught 57 passes for 793 yards and three touchdowns.
These two might not fire up the message boards, but they are players with proven production. They also know the staff, which played a key role in all of this.