Don't expect transfer portal reinforcements for Michigan football

There was talk that Michigan football was going to be aggressive in the spring transfer portal. But it appears that's all it was, talk.

Michigan football expressed interest in South Dakota offensive tackle, Joe Cotton, who was the top-ranked tackle available in the transfer portal.

Yet, he ended up going to Cincinnati. Apparently, the Bearcats have a bigger NIL budget than the Wolverines. Iowa also landed Bryce George, a tranfser from Ferris State. Since the Wolverines landed a guard from Ferris State in the winter transfer portal window, that seemed like a no-brainer.

Iowa was more aggressive and got him. According to Chris Balas of The Wolverine, the price tag was essentially too high, at least in the eyes of the Wolverines.

That means that either Evan Link, Brady Norton, or Andrew Babalola will be the starting left tackle for the Wolverines. Head coach Sherrone Moore didn't mention Link as a starter after the spring game. He said three guys: Greg Crippen (center), Giovanni El-Hadi (right guard), and Andrew Sprague (right tackle) are set to be the starters.

Michigan football trusting internal options at tackle, wide receiver

Brady Norton, who transferred from Cal Poly, where he started at left tackle last season, might be the best option for the 2025 season opener. Moore said on Wednesday that Babalola, the highest-ranked offensive line recruit in program history, will compete for the left tackle job this fall.

Ideally, Babalola would win it. He's got all the tools to be a first-round pick, just like Underwood. But he's raw, and offensive linemen aren't always ready right away, especially at left tackle, where he would face some of the best pass rushers in the Big Ten (and all of college football).

With a mobile quarterback like Underwood, Taylor Lewan might not be needed. Yet, the Wolverines need someone who can at least get in the way. Norton was recruited by Ohio State, but probably not as a left tackle.

Norton was voted as a Freshman All-American by FCS Central. However, he's listed by the Wolverines at 6-foot-3, 275 pounds. He will add weight. He probably already has, but that's the body type of a guard more than a tackle.

That's why a transfer portal addition would have been nice. It's strange that Michigan won't spend money on an offensive tackle or a wide receiver because if Bryce Underwood is as good as advertised, there's no reason this team shouldn't be in the playoff discussion.

It should have an elite defense, and a stellar running game, a ground game that would be even better if the Wolverines invested in the offensive line.

That window has come and gone. There's no point in adding another guy who is just a guy. The same can be said for wide receiver. Trebor Pena, the top wideout available from Syracuse, could make a difference for a playoff team, which is why Penn State and Miami are in hot pursuit.

Michigan never showed any interest. Donaven McCulley has No. 1 potential. Fred Moore is solid, but after that, things are dicey. Channing Goodwin, Jamar Browder, and Andrew Marsh have all flashed. Anthony Simpson, a winter transfer portal addition, is also forgotten about. Sort of like Lawrence Hattar, who could compete to start at guard.

The Wolverines have options on their roster at wide receiver and offensive tackle. But that will rely on internal improvement. That's not necessarily a bad thing; those players just need to deliver.

We saw what happened when they didn't in 2024. That should never happen again, not with a program with resources like Michigan.