grad transfers

Via reports, Michigan won’t get to have the best backup guard in the country for two years in a row.

Michigan offensive lineman Chuck Filiaga has entered his name in the NCAA Transfer Portal today

— angelique (@chengelis) January 7, 2022

Filiaga started four games last year, played in 11 of them, and was a crucial backup when both starters at guard were out with injuries. Even when they weren’t Filiaga found rotation snaps with Trevor Keegan at left guard, where Filiaga started all of 2020. Passed by much younger players, however, you couldn’t expect him to stick around in hopes they would find him as much time again. That was also likely to add more delay to the development of younger players who’ve been waiting their turns to get on the field.

Filiaga, who earned his Michigan degree after the 2020 season, might have tested the NFL waters too, and a strong 6th season granted by the free COVID year could catapult him into the draft. The guy can move people.

Michigan fans will be rooting hard for him wherever he lands, and also rooting for a landing spot that appreciates spoonerisms as much as we.

Michigan is losing a defensive tackle, but I don't think anyone (genuine) is going to make more out of this one than respect for a guy who stuck it out much longer than most guys would. As first reported by the Detroit News, bench defensive tackle Phillip Paea has entered his name in the transfer portal. He’ll be a grad transfer with two years (his fifth and sixth) to play.

Paea had been off the radar for a long time. Recruited as an athlete whose ceiling was probably much higher at guard, Paea nevertheless bounced wherever the team needed him. He moved from offensive line to tackle in spring of 2018 and got some mention from Greg Mattison as “Little Phillip” before switching back to guard. The last few seasons he again provided depth at defensive tackle, a position in need of bodies since Mo Hurst’s graduation.

But even as things grew dire at his position, Paea couldn’t crack the two-deep. When walk-on Jess Speight moved from offensive line and immediately passed the Berrien Springs native, the writing was on the wall. Freshman Mazi Smith taking his #58 a couple of years ago was a deeper indignity. Paea quietly switched to #92.

Paea got no further up the depth chart this spring. Wherever he goes, they’ll at the very least be getting a consummate team guy, and carry the well-wishes of a lot of friends in Ann Arbor.

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It didn't take long for Juwan Howard to move on from the transfer portal entry of David DeJulius and Seton Hall commitment of grad transfer target Bryce Aiken. Columbia grad transfer Mike Smith, who averaged 22.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists last season as a 5'11" lead guard, chose Michigan over Arizona, Gonzaga, and Seton Hall this afternoon.

First and foremost, I would like to thank my amazing Lord and savior Jesus Christ, without whom none of this would be possible. I’m truly blessed and excited to officially say that I will be a Michigan Wolverine. Ann Arbor it’s demon time ? #GoBlue 〽️ pic.twitter.com/cZLK7a3Xpp

— Mike Smith (@Ayeyoomike__) April 10, 2020

Smith has been tasked with carrying a bad Columbia squad for three of the last four years—he was hurt for the majority of 2018-19, hence the Ivy-mandated fifth-year transfer—and has put up really impressive traditional stats with the middling efficiency you'd expect from a 5'11" guard taking on usage nearing 40%(!) in conference play last season.

Despite their need for a point guard, Michigan will use Smith in a different fashion. By not taking on nearly as much offense, Smith should be able to hit shots with more efficiency, and the additional talent around him should open up space for his off-the-dribble game. He graded out in the 77th percentile as a pick-and-roll ballhandler last season, per Synergy, and in the 84th percentile as an isolation scorer.

[Hit THE JUMP for more stats, some highlights, and how Smith could fit into the rotation.]