Michigan Friday: Trey to South Beach

Trey Donaldson came to a program that needed a big lift last year.  He was part of Michigan's rebuild this season and next year he will take on another rebuild.  Trey is heading to Miami to rebuild that program that was in the Final 4 a couple years ago and coach left mid-season.  Good Luck to him! 

• CAL Football top NIL spender is holding their money until they put GM Ron Rivera in charge of the entire program. 

• There continues to be buzz that Michigan might be looking for another QB in the portal.  Keene's injury is a mystery that needs solving. 

• Joe Milton got traded to the Cowboys.   Joe's arm and structure continues to be loved by football scouts. 

• Ronnie Bell will wear #10 for the Lions

• Tom Brady bringing Geno to the Raiders and then giving him an extension is complexing to me. 

Michigan Thursday: Time For The Offensive Line To Get Better

For about a 10 year period Michigan had a poor to average offensive line.  Jim Harbaugh changed that and solidified both the offensive and defensive through recruiting, development, coaching, and the transfer portal.   The gains the offensive line made got Sherrone the head coaching job at Michigan.   That is the highest of honors.  

Last year, the offensive line took a step back, maybe two steps back.  They struggled with the run game and struggled in Pass Pro (outside their last two games).   Yes, it was nice to see the line improve but they were below average to start the year.   So changes had to be made this spring. 

What we are hearing:

• El-Hadi who last year moved from Left Guard to Right Guard, is moving back to Left where he feels more comfortable. "Yeah, I'm playing left guard. Moving back to the left," El-Hadi said. "It's going good. Yeah, it's going really good. I feel a little bit more natural on the left. I played my first two years on the left side. Last year, (Josh Priebe) came back. When the Priebe came, they moved me to the right to change positions. Then I asked to go back to the left. It's going good."

• Transfer Brady Norton is making some noise for a starting position in Spring Ball.  He is now up to close to 300 pounds and impressing the coaches.  Norton has been practicing at Guard and Tackle.  He has 3 years of eligibility left!  

• Junior Nathan Efobi is one of those guys that has been in the program and is ready to take the next step.  There were plenty of transfer rumors about him leaving, but the coaches got him to stay and could be the starter at Right Guard. Efobi has played 2 game snaps his entire career. 

• Don't forget Larry Hatter the transfer from Big Rapids is not due to join the team until this summer.  He goes by Lawrence but I like Larry. 

News and Notes:

• Bills signed former Michigan punter Brad Robbins 

• MSU Football is now under NCAA Investigation for it's time under Mel Tucker.  The NCAA does not comment on current investigations unless its against Michigan and Jim Harbaugh. 

• Here is something I didn't remember, current Michigan WR Donaven McCulley who just transferred from IU. Started at QB for IU against Michigan in the Big House is 2021. To repeat started at QB. That is just crazy.

• Chip Lindsey new offensive is expected to be fast paced. Harbaugh loved ball control and running the clock, but I also believe there were times Michigan could have moved much faster on offense.

Wolverine Wednesday: If Your Keeping Score at Home

NCAA Basketball has become one and done which usually was reserved for talent like Cooper (don't call Kupp) Flagg.  Now its a transfer portal thing and it's hard to know who is and isn't on your team.  

We have to add another name to the Best of Luck list:

• PG Trey Donaldson - who I expected to jump into the portal when Michigan signed the 5 star UNC point guard Elliot Cadeau.  Trey had an up and down year for the Wolverines.  At the end of the day he had too many turnovers and not enough assist. 

We add another to the Welcome to the Team list:

• Illinois Freshman F Morez Johnson who averaged 7 points and nearly 7 boards with 1 block a game.  Johnson is 6'9 and is a mid-range shooter.  He did not attempt a 3 this year. 

Maggon Gwath the prized center from SDSU is staying in San Diego and was a Michigan portal prospect.  This is the 2nd big man (Iowa Center) Michigan has missed in the portal.  Johnson above is expected to play more power forward then center next season.

• Former Michigan WR Tyler Morris has hurt his knee and is out for the year for IU. 

• Buzz Williams is trying to coach at every Division 1 school and took the Maryland job. 

• RIP Val Kilmer, AKA Iceman

Michigan Tuesday: Guys are Coming In and Going Out

The NCAA has to work on the timing of the transfer portal.  If teams are still playing the portal should be closed.  Either way, we have Wolverines coming and one new guard to welcome.  

Best of Luck includes the following:

• Jace Howard 
• Sam Walters 
• Justin Pippen

I had high hopes for Sam as I thought he was the answer Michigan needed as a knock down shooter.  The issue is he struggled on defense and ended up with a bad back that kept him out of games late in the season.   We have already discussed Justin and we wish Jace the best of luck at his next school. 

Big news is Michigan has landed former 5-star PG Elliot Cadeau from UNC.  Michigan struggled with play making abilities this year and the hope is Elliot will fill that void next season.   Welcome to the team and a great early get for the Wolverines.  Elliot averaged 9 points and 6 assists for North Carolina last season. 

• 4-star 2026 RB Javian Osborne is down to 2 schools, ND and Michigan.  Both will get one visit before he decides on his next school.  He will not take any other visits.  

• Happy Birthday to Michigan Legends Bo Schembechler and Bob Ufer.  Go Blue Forever! 

• Does Michigan have a QB depth problem?  Michigan right now only has 2 healthy QB's in Spring Practice, Underwood and Davis.  Warren has the ACL and Keene is also injured and could be contemplating jumping back into the portal.   If Keene is not healthy and/or jumps, Michigan will need another QB in the Spring Portal session.