The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532537
60 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MARCH 2025 BY ANTHONY BROOME AND CLAYTON SAYFIE U -M's attempt at reloading and retooling in the NCAA transfer portal resulted in 13 additions during the winter window, headlined by a boost in the trenches on both sides of the ball, a big swing on offense and depth sprinkled throughout multiple position groups. The Wolverines' group of 13 arrivals landed at No. 10 nation- ally in the On3 Team Transfer Portal Index, which weighs the players a program brings in against the players it lost. The haul is third among Big Ten programs. "This proprietary algorithm determines if a school has im- proved its overall team talent, stayed the same or declined in talent during the transfer window," On3 explains. Only Texas Tech, Ole Miss, Missouri, Oregon, Miami, LSU, Rutgers, Texas A&M and Auburn ranked ahead of the Wol- verines, who had 24 players transfer out as the rosters were trimmed to 105 ahead of the 2025 season. Michigan's class is headlined by former Alabama running back Justice Haynes, On3's No. 29 overall transfer portal player and the No. 3 running back behind Tulane's Makhi Hughes (Oregon) and ULM's Ahmad Hardy (Missouri). Haynes was a priority target the moment he entered the portal, and Michigan flexed its newfound NIL power to hold off the likes of Ole Miss, South Carolina and Ohio State for his services. The class also includes a potential bridge quarterback for the 2025 season in former Fresno State signal-caller Mikey Keene, who could serve as veteran insurance for Bryce Underwood. Other offensive signees include wide receivers Donaven McCul- ley (Indiana) and Anthony Simpson (UMass), and linemen Brady Norton (Cal Poly) and Lawrence Hattar (Ferris State). The defensive class is headlined by a pair of tackles in Damon Payne (Alabama) and Tré Williams (Clemson) who are expected to round out the rotation on the line. U-M also added linebacker Troy Bowles (Georgia), cornerbacks Caleb Anderson (Louisiana) and brothers Tevis Metcalf (Arkansas) and safety TJ Metcalf (Arkansas). The specialist ranks also received some attention with the addition of long snapper Trent Middleton, who comes over from UCLA. The NCAA's spring transfer portal window opens on April 16 and runs through April 25, giving the Wolverines another op- portunity to add to the roster before camp starts this summer. U-M is expected to pursue more help at wide receiver and on the offensive line, among other lingering needs as they materialize. Here is the rundown of U-M's "baker's dozen" of portal additions: CALEB ANDERSON • CB GR. • 6-3 • 200 LOUISIANA • CLINTON (LA.) EAST FELICIANA HIGH On3 Transfer Portal Ranking: HHH, No. 160 CB On3 Industry Ranking (2020): HHH, No. 1,132 overall, No. 38 ATH Anderson is an experienced cornerback with 36 career appearances, and he helps fill a need on the back end of the Michigan defense. He has a prior connec- tion with defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan, who coached him at Louisiana in 2020, 2022 and '23. Anderson competed in nine games in 2024, posting 18 tackles. For his career, he's registered 58 stops, 2 interceptions and 8 pass breakups. There will be a transition moving up to the Power Four level, but Anderson is ready for the challenge. "I'm super excited," he said. "This is something you dream about as a kid. Being from Louisiana, I never thought it would be Michigan. Michigan is an amazing program with a prestigious history. To be a part of something like that is a dream come true. "I love their scheme. They mix up a lot of different coverages. They said, 'We're not a man team or a zone team.' They play whatever it takes to win. That sold me. They don't categorize themselves." Anderson has one year of eligibility remaining. "My main goal is to come in and do whatever is needed of me to help the team win," he said. "I don't have any personal goals set. I just want to be that guy that steps up and provides for the team. I'm just ready to work." TROY BOWLES • LB JR. • 6-0 • 220 GEORGIA • TAMPA (FLA.) JESUIT On3 Transfer Portal Ranking: HHH, No. 26 LB On3 Industry Ranking (2023): HHHH, No. 88 overall, No. 7 LB Bowles was a top-100 overall recruit in the 2023 class but hardly played as a Georgia Bulldog, logging just 12 defensive snaps during the 2024 regular Wolverines Add Experience In Both Trenches Via Transfer Portal Former Fresno State quarterback Mikey Keene started against Michigan in the Big House last season and previously worked with U-M offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Chip Lindsey at UCF in 2022. PHOTO BY CARY EDMONDSON/FRESNO STATE