2022-23 transfer portal

Michigan picked up a commitment today from transfer cornerback Josh Wallace of UMass. A grad transfer, Wallace will join the team in fall camp and compete for a spot in the rotation at corner during his final season of NCAA eligibility. Let's give him a hello: 

GURU RATINGS

UMass, eh? Wallace's recruiting profile back when he was coming out of high school was more or less "not applicable". Only 247 bothered to rank him and so we weren't able to get a composite/consensus ranking on Wallace. As you'd expect, Wallace registered as a low 3*, 67th out of 75 corners in our database dating back to 1990. But of course he's not coming to Michigan as a high schooler, he's arriving as a molded four year college player. As a transfer, 247 still has him ranked as a 3* but his rating is up to 88 from 84, showing the strides he made from UMass. The point about this paragraph is simply that Wallace is not your blue chip burning out at one program and going to a new one sort of transfer portal kid. Which you probably knew the moment you heard "transferring from UMass". 

[AFTER THE JUMP: takes, game tape, and a projection]

Never go in against a Harbaugh when death is on the line! Dan Wetzel has the nitty gritty details on what's going with what MSU honks are describing as SCANDAL ARMAGEDDON and the rest of the world is completely ignoring. Long story short, someone at the NCAA is suicidal enough to get into a staring contest with James Joseph Harbaugh:

Harbaugh is not expected to back down and would likely mount a ferocious defense against any allegation he purposely lied. Harbaugh is famous for being stubborn, both as a player and as a head coach in the NCAA and NFL.

Additionally, it is generally challenging to prove someone knowingly lied without detailed contemporaneous evidence, which sources say the NCAA either lacks or simply doesn't exist.

The NCAA could back off its attempt to gather that admission and resolve the case otherwise, however it has made no indication that it will do that. An NCAA punishment, even a short suspension, on the Level II violations without any admission of lying might be acceptable to Harbaugh. Anything involving admitting dishonesty would not, sources said.

I wish this person good luck. Sisyphus-ass lawyering awaits.

[After THE JUMP: all hail cube!]

With the National Championship Game taking place last night, the 2022 College Football Season has now come to an end. The offseason, which began as many as six or seven weeks ago for some teams, is now in full-swing for everyone. The transfer portal opened in December and many teams have seen significant losses and additions via the portal, while the NFL Draft decision date is coming up. Moreover, coaching staffs are being reshuffled across the country and so there is no shortage of news. If you've been struggling to keep track of the changes among Michigan's B1G rivals, you are probably not alone and it's why I put together this handy piece looking at the offseason developments around the B1G East. I'm planning to do a B1G West one soon, and since the offseason isn't yet over, I'm planning a second round of updates in a couple months once the portal has calmed down and the draft picture is crystallized. 

Ohio State

EXITS

Pretty quiet in Columbus thus far in the offseason in the way of portal decisions, and we're waiting for the big NFL decisions in the coming days. As for guys portaling out, it's all on defense so far. LB Trejada Mitchell and CB JK Johnson were two of my lowest-graded OSU defenders the past two seasons, so it's no surprise they are moving on. Joining them are S Jaylen Johnson and DB Jantzen Dunn, signaling that there could be some additional turnover in the secondary. That's it so far in the way of portal exits, though some will probably come in the future. There have been rumors about high profile transfers out of Columbus, but nothing along those lines has actually materialized so until it does, I will consider it very unlikely. 

As for the NFL, we're waiting on all the big names beyond WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba and OT Paris Johnson Jr. QB CJ Stroud is a projected high first round pick and is thus exceedingly likely to move on, while there are tossup decisions to make for LB Tommy Eichenberg, S Lathan Ransom, G Matthew Jones, and C Luke Wypler, the latter of whom boosted his draft stock dramatically with a great showing in the Peach Bowl. In happier news for Buckeye fans, RB Miyan Williams and TE Cade Stover have already announced their returns. On the flip side, RT Dawand Jones and DB Tanner McCalister have declared for the NFL Draft. 

ACQUISITIONS 

Rather surprisingly, this front has been very quiet in Buckeye-land. They picked up a new LS (John Ferlmann from Arizona State) and K (Casey Maygar from Kent State), which are important aspects of the team (not like Ohio State fans know anything about the importance of kicking these days) sure, but I expected a little more at other positions. Right now, they have just one other transfer in, Syracuse S Ja'Had Carter. Carter profiles as a plug-and-play starter after logging 543 snaps this past season as a regular on the Orange defense. Carter has been a starter for three seasons with Syracuse, earning a solid 68.7 grade from PFF this past season. Nothing crazy good, but a solid player who should be able to help the Ohio State defense. 

After that, it's *crickets*. There have been rumors with Ohio State and different transfer corners, but nothing yet. I guess we'll wait and see, as it may hinge on some of the NFL decisions mentioned above. 

[AFTER THE JUMP: Teams with a lot more movement]