3 biggest needs for Michigan football in transfer portal

The spring transfer portal window has been a hot topic of conversation for Michigan football fans. Some want the Wolverines to get a quarterback. Others want a wide receiver or a defensive back, while most just want U-M to keep all its star players.

The Michigan football spring game is Saturday and most of the players were tweeting out a message in support of the Champions Circle fundraiser for NIL. That gives you a good idea of where they stand and it doesn't feel like many are about to leave for greener (NIL) pastures.

There could be some departures though. It would be a surprise if there wasn't. The hope is that no starters or players on the two-deep get poached, but that's probably unrealistic.

You never know though. Michigan football head coach Sherrone Moore has done a spectacular job with retaining players and Keon Sabb is the closest thing to a starter that has left. Karmello English was a bummer, but you can't keep everyone.

However, the Wolverines have needs of their own in the transfer portal. We'll break those down starting with the quarterback position -- another hot topic among Michigan fans.

Quarterback

We'll know more about the quarterback position after Saturday's scrimmage. That will tell us a lot, although there is still a long way to go until the first game.

Alex Orji feels like he would be the starter tomorrow if there was a real game. He played for Michigan football down the stretch, even with J.J. McCarthy on the field, so you know the coaches trust him. He's a great runner and has got a cannon. It just remains to be seen how he does as a starting quarterback.

McCarthy was great because he could make the impact plays, but he also minimized the bad ones. We don't know if Orji can be that guy.

That's why if there's a proven veteran like a Jake Rudock who happens to enter the portal, Michigan should take a shot. But if it's another guy who hasn't started many games, the Wolverines should pass. Jack Tuttle should be a solid backup option. I'm not ready to give up on Davis Warren or Jayden Denegal either.

But, this defense is too good and with the right quarterback, another Big Ten championship could be on the table, maybe more.