Michigan football desperately needs elite transfer to realize the preseason hype

If you want to win big in college football, or football at any level for that matter, you need to be able to do two things: Protect the quarterback and affect the quarterback.

For years, Michigan football has been able to do that as well as anyone. The Wolverines' offensive line won the Joe Moore award multiple times during its title run, while the defense has been dominant.

Last year, Michigan had some struggles on both sides of the ball. The Wolverines struggled against elite quarterbacks, and didn't find ways to get enough pressure. The offense, while improved over 2024, also didn't throw the ball well enough to beat the best teams.

You need great quarterback play and you need to impact the other team's quarterback to the point that he isn't at his best. The answer to one of those questions for Michigan has to do with Bryce Underwood and his development this season as a sophomore.

The other part of that equation is getting after the quarterback. On that front, elite transfer John Henry Daley will carry the torch for Michigan football. After 11.5 sacks last season for Utah, Henry Daley was one of the top players available in the portal.

Michigan football's top transfer has to meet preseason hype

Kyle Whittingham was able to land his former player, along with three other projected starters: JJ Buchanan, Smith Snowden and Jonah Lea'ea.

Henry Daley is projected to have the biggest impact, though. In fact, according to Ari Wasserman of On3, the EDGE is projected to have the biggest impact of any transfer defender in the Big Ten this season.

After losing Derrick Moore to the NFL, Michigan needs a double-digit sack guy. Other guys on the roster have tons of potential, such as former top-50 recruit Nate Marshall, who is entering his sophomore season, or five-star true freshman Carter Meadows, who arrived at Michigan at 270 pounds.

Cameron Brandt has shown promise, although he's a better run defender than pass rusher. There are other pieces, but none that should be able to dominate the way that Henry Daley can.

Expecting him to have an Aiden Hutchinson-like season, especially after a season-ending injury might be a bit much, but he should be a First-Team All-Big Ten selection, and if Wasserman is right about his potential impact, he should be in the conversation for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

That's what Michigan needs out of its top tranfser, at least if the Wolverines want to be in the College Football Playoff conversation. There are some elite quarterbacks and elite offenses on the schedule.

Slowing them down will require Henry Daley, and others, reaching their full potential this season, starting with the Utah transfer.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow