Following the departure of second-year head coach Sherrone Moore, the Michigan Wolverines experienced a significant shift in their roster. A total of 28 players entered the transfer portal, signaling a major transition for the program. However, six of those players chose to remain with the team and continue under the new coaching staff led by Kyle Whittingham.

In addition to retaining some key players, the Wolverines made strategic additions through the transfer portal, bringing in 16 new athletes to fill critical gaps in their lineup. Among these newcomers are standout players such as JJ Buchanan, Jaime Ffrench, Smith Snowden, and John Henry Daley, who are expected to make immediate impacts on the field.

Former Wolverines Set to Compete Against Michigan in 2026

While Michigan will not have all of its former players competing for them in the upcoming season, five of those who left the program will be suiting up against the Wolverines in 2026. These players have moved on to different programs, but their presence on the opposing side adds an interesting dynamic to future matchups.

Semaj Morgan – UCLA

Semaj Morgan, a three-year member of the Wolverines, is set to return to Ann Arbor in 2026, but this time as a player for the UCLA Bruins. During his tenure at Michigan, Morgan accumulated 69 receptions for 566 yards and four touchdowns. He also contributed on the ground with 15 carries for 124 yards and two scores.

Morgan’s time at Michigan was challenging, particularly over the past two seasons. Struggles with drops and inconsistent performance in the return game affected his confidence. He was eventually benched toward the end of the season but still managed to play in the Citrus Bowl.

Cole Sullivan – Oklahoma

Cole Sullivan was one of the most significant losses to the transfer portal. After the move of Jaishawn Barahm to edge, Sullivan and Jimmy Rolder provided strong contributions to the Wolverines’ defense. Sullivan played two seasons in Ann Arbor and showed notable improvement during his sophomore year.

Over 11 games, Sullivan recorded 44 tackles, five TFLs, three interceptions, and two sacks. His potential as a starting linebacker for 2026 made his departure from the program even more impactful. Now, he will be representing the Oklahoma Sooners in the coming years.

Fredrick Moore – Michigan State

Fredrick Moore left Michigan midway through the 2025 season and eventually committed to Michigan State after the transfer portal opened. Moore had a solid 2024 season with the Wolverines, catching eight passes for 91 yards. However, he saw limited playing time in 2025 due to the team’s struggles with its passing attack.

Moore was expected to take a larger role in 2025 with the arrival of Bryce Underwood, but the competition for targets proved difficult. With Donaven McCulley and Andrew Marsh emerging as key receivers, Moore decided to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

Beckham Sunderland – Minnesota

Sunderland was a consistent presence for Michigan as the primary kickoff specialist. He appeared in all 13 games, kicking off 71 times for 4,553 yards with 44 touchbacks (61.9 percent). He also punted once and made one tackle, earning his first varsity letter.

After transferring from Texas State, Sunderland now heads to Minnesota. The Wolverines will face the Gophers later this season, adding another layer of intrigue to the matchup.

Ben Roebuck – Western Michigan

Roebuck completed his second season with Michigan, appearing in two games. He played along the offensive line in one game and contributed on special teams in the other. Michigan will welcome Western Michigan to the Big House for its opening game, setting the stage for an exciting matchup.

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