In the modern era of College Football, any time there is a coaching change, roster construction can get a little dicey.
With the transfer portal making paths to greener pastures much easier to find, that’s been especially true recently. Now, the reigning national champion Michigan Wolverines find themselves in that interesting situation after former head coach Jim Harbaugh left to take the Los Angeles Chargers job.
The early reports are that offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore is the top candidate to succeed Harbaugh, which could soften the blow of any possible roster defections. Still, the potential is always out here for any Wolverines to go in a different direction.
Here are the biggest returning Michigan stars that other programs would have a major interest in.
The Michigan corner was second on the team with four interceptions as a sophomore last season, and even though he would have two years of eligibility left, he’d be an easy first-round prospect with another strong year in 2024. His 16% forced incompletion percentage led the Wolverines’ starting corners, and he earned a 78.5 PFF coverage grade. Johnson is a Michigan man through and through. With his family ties and recent achievements with the program, he seems like an unlikely entrant into the portal. Still, the demand would be at an all-time high for the 6-foot-2 corner. Cornerbacks with Johnson’s combination of size, length, and athleticism are rare.
Just how good is Graham? Flip on the national championship game from this year, when he racked up five pressures in a single game to almost single-handedly stop the Washington offense. The dominant sophomore tallied three sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss last season despite working from the middle of the line and being surrounded on all sides by talent. He was also the team’s best run defender in PFF’s eyes with an 87.8 grade against the run. At 6-foot-3 and 318 pounds, he is strong enough to consistently win at the point of attack and quick enough to create penetration. Graham has a good argument as the top interior defensive lineman returning to college in 2024, and like Johnson, he’d probably be headed for the NFL after one more good season despite having multiple potential years on the table.
Loveland is the third straight Wolverine on this list who could have two years of college left or could hear his name called next April by an NFL team. Despite being a predominantly run-heavy system this year, Loveland still managed to make his impact felt, finishing with 45 receptions for 649 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore to finish second on the team in all three categories. The 6-foot-5 safety valve seemed to rise to Michigan’s biggest moments, with a season-high 88 yards against Ohio State and 64 yards in the championship game, and his large catch radius helped him make some spectacular catches.
As good as Graham is, Grant is no slouch either. The massive sophomore, who stands 6-foot-3 and 339 pounds, moves surprisingly well for a guy his size. He recorded 3.5 sacks and was credited with 23 pressures over the 2023 season, second only to Graham among Michigan defensive tackles. In fact, even with his star teammate taking turns, Grant still finished 23rd in the country in pressures among interior defenders. The upside with Grant’s tools here is immense, as is his sheer presence on the field, and he could provide two more years up the middle if he ends up on a new team.
We have seen a couple of running backs hit the transfer portal this offseason to find a new backfield, such as former Arkansas back Raheim Sanders leaving for South Carolina and former Ole Miss star Quinshon Judkins heading to Ohio State. Could Edwards, one of the most gifted runners in college football, follow suit? He’s been the understudy to Blake Corum for the past few years, but he still managed 497 yards and five touchdowns this past season, including two long touchdown scampers in the title game. The veteran back would only have one year left, so it’ll be up to him if he wants a victory lap with his squad or wants one final go somewhere else.