In this era of the transfer portal and player movement, nothing is really official until it is. Well, on Saturday, Michigan football player Enow Etta officially removed his name from the transfer portal, or at least it was reported that he did.
Either way, the former blue-chip recruit, who has seen his role increase in each season with the program, will return in what should be a starting role for Michigan football in 2026.
At 6-foot-5, 320 pounds, Etta entered the transfer portal shortly after it first opened. He wasn't alone. Several Michigan football players entered, more than 20 total.
However, some of them came back. Michigan football was able to get Andrew Sprague (OT) and Jake Guarnera (IOL) to return after they entered the portal. The same was true for defensive backs Jordan Young and Zeke Berry.
Enow Etta offically returns to Michigan football in major move for Wolverines
Etta was the only defensive lineman, at least the only one that Michigan football wanted back, to go into the portal. He was ranked as the No. 12 defensive lineman available, according to 247 Sports, as well as the No. 110 player overall.
#Michigan DL Enow Etta announced that he will be withdrawing from the transfer portal and returning to Ann Arbor next season via his Instagram.
— Brice Marich (@BriceMarich) January 17, 2026
Much needed news for the Wolverines up front. pic.twitter.com/6HXcRovoVM
Despite plenty of interest from other programs, Etta decided to stick with the Wolverines. Last season, he had 15 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks.
Those aren't eye-popping numbers. But make no mistake, the arrow is pointing up for Etta. His best football is ahead of him, and with the 320-pounder in the fold, Michigan has the makings of a strong four-man defensive line along with Trey Pierce, John Henry-Daley, once he gets healthy, and likely Cameron Brandt, who also announced his return earlier this week.
You have other depth pieces, such as Utah transfer Jonah Lea'ea, who can play multiple spots on the defensive line. Nate Marshall (EDGE), Dominic Nichols (EDGE), Deyvid Paleplae (DT), and Manuel Beigel (DT) are other names to know, along with incoming freshmen such as Carter Meadows (EDGE), McHale Blade (DL), Titan Davis (DT), and Alister Vallejo (DT).
Depth will need to be developed, but with Etta officially back in the fold, Michigan fans can feel a lot better about the direction of the defensive line.