A wide receiver is evaluating his choices following his redshirt junior season, including returning to his school, entering the NFL Draft, or entering the transfer portal.
Now, I have to be vague and careful here because this player is not yet in the transfer portal. I have confirmed with two sources, one at the NFL level and one connected to his current school, that while this WR is currently considering entering the NFL Draft, the expectation is his stock could skyrocket with another year of college. He's coming off a breakout season that put him on the map, but he could go from a late day 3 pick/UDFA this year to as high as a first round pick next year.
If this player were to enter the portal, I believe there would be a strong mutual interest between he and Michigan, as well as other schools. Without getting into the weeds on what is tampering and what is not, a player's representative or agent is obviously able to gauge interest and potential market for their player when it comes to the portal, NIL, etc.
I can't say much more than that for now. This is a player that would move the needle so I am going to watch it closely. More importantly, the narrative that Michigan isn't taking WRs in the portal seriously or being "cheap" is simply not true. I think there are a lot of factors: how this team values its current WRs, how it values the WRs in the portal, some credits issue with late juniors close to graduating, etc. They aren't panicking, and I'm sure the retention in the room, the strong performance from Fred Moore, the addition of Donaven McCulley, and the freshman additions are all factors. That said they are looking to add the right piece to the room, and a gamechanger at the position will be valued as such.
Now, I have to be vague and careful here because this player is not yet in the transfer portal. I have confirmed with two sources, one at the NFL level and one connected to his current school, that while this WR is currently considering entering the NFL Draft, the expectation is his stock could skyrocket with another year of college. He's coming off a breakout season that put him on the map, but he could go from a late day 3 pick/UDFA this year to as high as a first round pick next year.
If this player were to enter the portal, I believe there would be a strong mutual interest between he and Michigan, as well as other schools. Without getting into the weeds on what is tampering and what is not, a player's representative or agent is obviously able to gauge interest and potential market for their player when it comes to the portal, NIL, etc.
I can't say much more than that for now. This is a player that would move the needle so I am going to watch it closely. More importantly, the narrative that Michigan isn't taking WRs in the portal seriously or being "cheap" is simply not true. I think there are a lot of factors: how this team values its current WRs, how it values the WRs in the portal, some credits issue with late juniors close to graduating, etc. They aren't panicking, and I'm sure the retention in the room, the strong performance from Fred Moore, the addition of Donaven McCulley, and the freshman additions are all factors. That said they are looking to add the right piece to the room, and a gamechanger at the position will be valued as such.
