Michigan Wolverines: Key Transfer Portal Additions for 2025

After a tumultuous 8-5 season filled with incredible highs and some of the lowest lows, Michigan got to work quickly in the transfer portals, looking to fill key areas of weakness during the season and going into next season with players leaving for the draft, graduating, and leaving through the transfer portal

Transfer Portal Additions for the Michigan Wolverines

The Michigan Wolverines were busy in the transfer portal, quick to better their roster for the upcoming 2025 season.

Wide Receiver, Donaven McCulley (Indiana)

Donaven McCulley was a four-star quarterback out of high school. However, he quickly transitioned to wide receiver ;and his 6-foot-5, 203 pounds frame was immediately evident in his spectacular catches.

McCulley had 48 catches, 644 yards, and six touchdowns in 2023 but was pushed down the depth chart early in 2024 and decided to enter the transfer portal. McCulley will add an element of size and physicality that Michigan lacked this season in their wide receiver room, so McCulley should immediately improve it.

Offensive Lineman, Brady Norton (Cal Poly)

Brady Norton started at left tackle this season for Cal Poly. The three-star recruit in the 2023 class started each game of the 2024 season. Norton was solid in the run game, but he truly excels in pass protection.

In 410 opportunities in 2024, Norton allowed zero sacks and gave up just three pressures. He was one of the most efficient pass protectors in college football, and he will likely immediately slide into Michigan’s starting offensive line. 

Quarterback, Mikey Keene (Fresno State)

Mikey Keene started his career at UCF, where he began as a freshman, before transferring to Fresno State, where he started for two seasons. He has totaled 65 passing touchdowns in his career, bringing much-needed experience to Michigan at the quarterback position. Keene provides stability to a unit that struggled with consistency in 2024. 

Safety, TJ Metcalf (Arkansas)

TJ Metcalf was a three-star recruit in the class of 2023 and has played 24 games in his college career. He played all over the field, including field safety, box safety, and slot cornerback. In 2024, he allowed an opponent passer rating of just 75.1, which will provide valuable starting experience to the Michigan secondary. 

Safety, Tevis Metcalf (Arkansas)

Tevis Metcalf was a three-star recruit in the class of 2024. He has seen limited playing time during his time at Arkansas but will provide young and essential depth at the position.

Linebacker, Troy Bowles (Georgia)

Troy Bowles is a three-star recruit from the class of 2023. He’s also the son of NFL head coach Todd Bowles. He has struggled to find consistent playing time for a stacked Georgia defense but is looking for a fresh start with Michigan. If he can develop, he could become a useful player for the Wolverines.

Defensive Lineman, Damon Payne (Alabama)

Damon Payne was a four-star recruit in the class of 2021 and has been a consistent presence for Alabama on their defensive line for the past two seasons, primarily at defensive tackle. While he has struggled as a pass rusher, he is dominant in the run game. He will fill an essential role for Michigan as they lose two first-round picks on the interior defensive line, Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant.

Running back, Justice Haynes (Alabama)

Justice Haynes was a four-star recruit in the class of 2023, and was Alabama’s backup running back last season. He totaled 448 rushing yards, 5.7 YPC, seven touchdowns, and 17 catches in 2024. Haynes will likely be Michigan’s starting running back next season, bringing a new element of Michigan’s running back room for the first time in a couple of years.

Defensive Lineman, Tre Williams (Clemson)

Tre Williams was a four-star recruit in the class of 2020. Williams played all 14 games for Clemson this past season and was a dominant force in their interior defensive line. He also posted two sacks and a 68.9 pass-rush grade, per PFF.

Williams was a reliable starter for a Clemson team that won the ACC and made the playoffs. With the critical departures on Michigan’s defensive line, William’s will add much-needed experience to a young group of linemen.

Players Leaving Through the Portal

Unfortunately, the Michigan Wolverines will also see a number of contributors from the 2024 season enter the transfer portal looking for other opportunities. Some of the more notable transfers leaving the program include Alex Orji, Tyler Morris, Dominik Giudice, Andrew Gentry, Owen Wafle, and Tommy Doman, who will be playing elsewhere in 2025.

Quarterback Alex Orji came into 2024 as the presumed starter for the Wolverines, but to the surprise of many fans lost the starting job to Davis Warren in the middle of the season. After Warren struggled, Orji was named the starter once again, before being benched a second time after struggling in the Washington game.

Orji excelled as a runner. However, he faced significant issues throwing the ball and severely limited Michigan’s passing offense. Yet, he could still be a good quarterback with the physical tools he possesses in the right environment.

Wide receiver Tyler Morris came into this season as the WR2 for the Wolverines, but struggled to produce consistently. Morris started to improve as the season went on, but never truly solidified himself like many thought he would.

Dominick Giudice came into the season as Michigan’s starting center. However, he struggled early in the season before eventually losing the job to Greg Crippen in Week 6. But he isn’t the only offensive lineman entering the portal.

Andrew Gentry took over for Evan Link at right tackle in Week 8 versus Illinois after Link struggled in pass protection. Gentry looked good in his first game, but got injured versus Michigan State.

Tommy Doman was the Wolverines starting punter this season. However, Michigan’s punt team struggled all season. A big reason for that was poor punting. While he didn’t excel at Michigan, he will look to get back on track in 2025.