New Transfers Talk Up Michigan and Say It Was A “Life-Changing” Experience

admin | December 8, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

In recent years, the Michigan Football program has been a shining example of how to use the transfer portal correctly.

In recent years, the Michigan Football program has been a shining example of how to use the transfer portal correctly. In the most recent recruiting cycle, Michigan recruited nine incoming transfers, all of whom will have a significant impact on the program in 2023.

When they recently spoke about their experience transferring to Michigan, it was evident that they all knew they made the proper decision.

“It definitely wasn’t easy to leave a situation and come here,” AJ Barner, who was speaking, said. “But I think the way that they’ve developed me as a player on and off the field in terms of technique and getting stronger in the weight room, the culture that we have, and just being able to go up against my teammates every day in practice has made me such a better player.”

Barner, a senior for the Wolverines, transferred from Indiana after three seasons as a Hoosier. He transferred to Michigan with Indiana teammate Jack Tuttle (QB). When asked what message he would send to other athletes considering transferring to Michigan, Barner said they shouldn’t expect an easy ride.

“If you’re looking for something that’s going to be easy and something that’s going to be giving to you, then don’t come here,” Barner told the crowd. “But if you’re looking for some place that, if you’re a tough kid that wants to be great at football, and wants to play at the next level and win a lot of football games, then this is the place for you.”

Other transfers, like Stanford transfer Drake Nugent, shared Barners’ thoughts. The 6-2, 301-pound center has been a starter for the Wolverines all season, garnering first-team All-Big Ten honors from both coaches and the media. The pull of the Michigan brand, as a blue blood in collegiate football, was simply too strong for Nugent to pass up.

“A lot of it was just reputation that the offense and the o-line had, and generally the team,” Nugent went on to say. “Obviously Michigan itself is like a blue blood of college football and has a very big brand, that’s kind of what I wanted.”

Josaiah Stewart, a junior edge rusher transfer from Coastal Carolina, believes Michigan is the ideal place for players who desire to achieve huge things.

“If you want to win big games on the biggest stage of them all, and you have high hopes and high goals, this is the place to do it and achieve it,” he remarked.

LaDarius Henderson, a graduate transfer from Arizona State, thinks his experience at Michigan has changed his life.

“Just to have this experience has been worth it,” Henderson remarked. “Life-changing.”

The No. 1 Michigan Wolverines are ready for a Rose Bowl battle against No. 4 Alabama on January 1. Michigan’s previous participation in the Rose Bowl was in 2007, when the Wolverines were defeated by USC by a score of 32-18.

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