The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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62 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MARCH 2025 role. I'm not saying it will be the exact same role as Nico Collins, but it's prob- ably similar to that." TEVIS METCALF • DB SO. • 5-10 • 192 ARKANSAS • CLAY (ALA.) CLAY-CHALKVILLE On3 Transfer Portal Ranking: HHH, No. 87 CB On3 Industry Ranking (2024): HHH, No. 1,018 overall, No. 117 CB Metcalf, a three-star prospect coming out of high school, did not earn an offer from the Wolverines as a prep athlete, but became a target as part of a package deal with his brother, TJ, during the transfer portal process. During his freshman year at Arkansas, Metcalf played just 15 defensive snaps in two games on defense but was a core special teamer in 12 games and was on the kick return, kick cover- age and punt return units, among others. In Ann Arbor, Michigan is expecting him to add some leadership and versatility to the defensive back room. "They were very transparent about the depth chart," Metcalf said. "They said they needed a leader to come in for the secondary. They also said they needed someone who can play the corner and nickel. At Arkansas, I started off at corner, and they moved me to some nickel. With my skill set, I feel like I can contribute to the team in both spots. "They run the 4-2-5, and it's a little more advanced than what we were running at Arkansas. I really like how they run it. It's close to an NFL scheme. They make it where it's not a set thing. They tailor the defense to your skill set. I really like that. Michigan is just a great fit." TJ METCALF • S JR. • 6-1 • 200 ARKANSAS • BIRMINGHAM (ALA.) PINSON VALLEY On3 Transfer Portal Ranking: HHHH, No. 122 overall, No. 7 S On3 Industry Ranking (2023): HHH, No. 566 overall, No. 52 S Metcalf and his younger brother, sophomore cornerback Tevis Metcalf, are in Ann Arbor for the 2025 season, committing together back in December. TJ is coming off a breakout sophomore season with the Razorbacks and will have the opportunity to compete for a job in the Wolverines' safety rotation. He saw action in 12 outings as a freshman in 2023, posting 15 tackles, before racking up 57 tackles, including 1 for loss, 7 pass breakups and 3 interceptions as a sophomore, appearing in 12 games with 11 starts for the 6-6 Razorbacks. "He's one of the guys that showed one of the biggest jumps year over year for Arkansas," beat writer Ethan Westerman of Whole Hog Sports said. The Birmingham, Ala., native's best game came back in his home state, in a 24-14 victory over Auburn. "Early in the season captures what his potential was — at Auburn, in his home state, a program that I'm not sure how heavily they recruited him, if at all," Wes- terman said. "I think he went down there with a big chip, and he had a heck of a game. Arkansas doesn't win that game without him. "He intercepted 2 passes, he forced a fumble, he deflected a pass that was intercepted by a teammate. He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week after Arkansas won that game, and that was probably the best individual perfor- mance any Arkansas player had all season, at least defensively — by far the one that comes to mind." TRENT MIDDLETON • LS JR. • 6-3 • 230 UCLA • ORANGE (CALIF.) LUTHERAN On3 Transfer Portal Ranking: HHH, No. 2,549 overall, No. 35 LS On3 Industry Ranking (2023): Unranked Middleton didn't see game action in his two seasons at UCLA, giving him three years of eligibility remaining. U-M will replace long snapper William Wag- ner in 2025, offering Middleton the chance to compete. A five-star prospect per Kohl's Kicking, Middleton was highly touted out of high school. After entering the portal, he was proactive by reaching out to U-M special teams coordinator J.B. Brown. He already had a connection with the Wolver- ines, having worked with Steve Rausch, the same trainer who's spent time with U-M senior kicker Dominic Zvada. "I have a lot of trust in him," Middleton said of Brown. "He seems like a great guy. It seems like he's true to his word. I've heard that from my personal coach, Coach Rausch, and I trust him a lot." Middleton was drawn to the priority Michigan places on having a strong special teams unit. "It's awesome," Middleton said. "It's not the most looked at part of the game, but it is important. It's awesome that they do care a lot and put a huge emphasis on it." And Middleton plans to be a big part of it. "Winning a national championship would be ideal," he said. "I want to play and be the starter. That's my personal goal. I want to be the guy for three years." BRADY NORTON • OT SO. • 6-3 • 275 CAL POLY • MISSION VIEJO (CALIF.) HIGH On3 Transfer Portal Ranking: HHH, No. 192 overall, No. 23 IOL On3 Industry Ranking (2025): HHHH, No. 70 overall, No. 9 IOL Norton joins the Wolverines with three seasons of eligibility remaining after redshirting in 2023 and playing in 11 games last season. He started at left tackle in all contests he played during the 2024 regular season at Cal Poly, posting a 73.5 overall PFF grade and 90.6 pass-blocking rating, which ranked tops in the FCS. He allowed 3 pressures — never more than 1 in a single game — and no sacks on the season. Norton, an unranked high school recruit in the 2023 cycle, was an FCS Central Freshman All-American this past season, the only freshman lineman in the Big Sky Conference to receive the honor. He appeared in three games in 2023, get- ting snaps at both left and right tackle while preserving his redshirt. Norton says he is up to 295 pounds despite being listed at 275 when he com- mitted to Michigan, and told The Wolverine's EJ Holland his goals are "to be a two-year starter and beat the **** out of Ohio State." Arkansas transfers TJ (7) and Tevis Metcalf (4) — shown with their parents, Neely (left) and Tarrus Metcalf, and sister, Tinsley — are both expected to compete for time in the U-M defensive secondary. PHOTO COURTESY METCALF FAMILY