Getting a transfer portal quarterback might prove more difficult than expected for Michigan football. The Wolverines were expected to be in the mix for Miller Moss, the former USC quarterback, but that never materialized once he hit the transfer portal.
Then, the attention turned to Billy Edwards, the former Maryland starting quarterback. The third-leading passer in the Big Ten last season was supposed to take a visit to Michigan football this week.
Recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong and Pete Nakos, who covers the transfer portal and college football for On3.com, projected Edwards to land with the Wolverines. He's got one year of eligibility left, which would seem to make him a perfect option for the Wolverines.
Michigan wants a quarterback to compete and mentor Bryce Underwood. The Wolverines don't want to guarantee the job to Underwood as a freshman, or a transfer quarterback. Edwards could have been that stop-gap option but Wisconsin, which is looking for a starter, hosted Edwards this weekend.
According to Chris Hummer of 247 Sports, the visit went so well that Edwards' visit to Michigan was canceled. Wilftong and Nakos have now flipped their projections to Wisconsin.
Wisconsin probably had the advantage going in since they don't have a five-star quarterback who will get on the field at some point, whether Edwards is in Ann Arbor or not.
Another advantage for Wisconsin was probably NIL. When you invest as much as Michigan football did in the quarterback position (Underwood), the amount for a guy like Edwards is limited, especially since the Wolverines have so many needs to fill.
My guess is that a guaranteed starting job and more NIL money probably won out. The Wolverines will have to shift gears and this whole stop-gap thing could prove tricker than expected.