Michigan adds transfer linebacker with more production than potential

Michigan football needs linebacker help, and the Wolverines might have found it.

The Wolverines added what amounts to a fourth addition at linebacker from the transfer portal this cycle with the commitment of former North Dakota State linebacker Nathaniel Staehling.

Staehling, a team captain for the Bison last season, just entered the transfer portal days before it closed. Michigan football showed early interest, and the commitment came down on Sunday.

Nathaniel Staehling is a perfect example of production over potential

There are plenty of former blue-chip prospects available in the transfer portal. Michigan could have taken a shot on some of them, and it did with Aisea Moa, a four-star high school recruit, who hasn't produced a ton at BYU and Michigan State.

Staehling, a 6-foot-3, 238-pounder, produced 78 tackles last season for NDSU. He also had three interceptions, including two that were returned for a touchdown. He also had six tackles for loss.

A starting linebacker at the MIKE for North Dakota State last season, Staehling was an honorable mention all-conference in the Missouri Valley in his first season as a starter. He was a reserve prior to that.

Staehling isn't going to solve all of Michigan's linebacker problems. He does give the Wolverines an experienced player, who has shown an ability to play well against the run, and the pass. That's something that Cole Sullivan was known for.

Staehling isn't the same kind of athlete (few are). But with Max Alford, Aisea Moa, and also FCS transfer James Pierce, along with Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, Chase Taylor, and Troy Bowles, there are at least some options, and some competition.

You still need some guys to out-play expectations, but with Staehling, at least the floor has been raised.