Michigan CB Elijah Dotson shuts down recruitment to commit to SEC school

The Wolverines lost a good one when freshman cornerback Elijah Dotson announced he was heading to the transfer portal.

Now that he has shut down his recruitment process, his departure stings a little more as he officially leaves Michigan and the Big Ten for none other than the SEC.

Next season, Dotson will wear a different M on his jersey, that of the Missouri Tigers, led by head coach Elijah Drinkwitz.

Elijah Dotson commits to Missouri Tigers

During 2025, his true freshman season, Dotson earned 11 total tackles (nine solo) and an interception. Now, the Michigan native is taking his talents (and blossoming promise) to the Tigers.

Dotson is one of 25 players leaving Michigan for what they hope are "greener pastures." While the loss of depth hurts, head coach Kyle Whittingham hasn't left the Wolverines wanting more, bringing in 16 recruits of his own from the portal.

Four-star edge rusher John Henry Daley, who played for Whittingham at Utah, is the highest-rated player joining Michigan, followed by four-star Smith Snowden, as well as three-star wide receivers JJ Buchanan and Jaime Ffrench.

Whittingham has also secured the return of top talents like quarterback Bryce Underwood, running back Jordan Marshall, and more.

Yes, it hurts to lose 25 players to the transfer portal, not to mention the players heading to the 2026 NFL Draft, but the Wolverines are going to be just fine next season. Whittingham is one of the most experienced and winningest head coaches in the country.

While at Utah, he won 177 games over a two-decade stretch as the Utes' head coach. He led the program to three conference titles and numerous conference division titles.

Throughout his 20-year tenure, there were only three seasons he failed to take the Utes to a bowl game, where he went 11-6 in the postseason.