The spring transfer portal window has closed, but Michigan football is actively reaching out to players for potential roster additions. They’re focused on filling gaps before fall camp, similar to last offseason when they recruited Josh Wallace.
Michigan isn’t concerned about losing players now; their priority is bolstering the team. The kicking game, often overlooked by fans, has been a focus in the transfer portal. They’ve already added a reliable kicker and are interested in a return specialist, according to Clayton Sayfie of The Wolverine.
Blake Hester, who played at Akron last season, is one of the targets. He has 53 career returns for 1,067 yards, averaging 20.1 yards per return. His best season was in 2022, averaging 23 yards per return, though it dipped to 18 last season. Hester has experience as a running back, receiver, and on special teams coverage units.
Michigan is also in touch with Elijhah Badger, a wideout from Arizona State, who has 142 career receptions for 1,640 yards. However, Badger has been contacted by over 20 schools, so it’s uncertain where Michigan stands in his choices. Typically, visits are crucial to gauge a school’s prospects.
This week, visits are planned with other potential targets like safety Jaden Mangham and defensive lineman Jay’viar Suggs. Whether these visits will lead to actual commitments remains to be seen.
Michigan Wolverines drop series to rivals
The softball and baseball teams both lost two out of three games over the weekend against rivals Ohio State and Michigan State.
The softball team lost two of three to the Buckeyes, including a 2-1 defeat on Sunday. Despite this, the Michigan Wolverines finished second in the Big Ten and earned a first-round bye for the Big Ten softball tournament starting on Thursday, finishing the regular season with an 18-5 record. Northwestern claimed the Big Ten regular-season title with a 19-3 record.
Michigan baseball dropped its first two games of the weekend to Michigan State but managed to come back and defeat the Spartans in extra innings on Sunday with a score of 10-8. In the ninth inning, the Wolverines were trailing by one before Jonathan Kim doubled in the tying run. Cole Caruso then drove in the go-ahead run in extra innings, allowing U-M to snatch a win in East Lansing. Kim went 3-for-6 with an RBI and two runs scored. Mitch Voit and Mack Timbrook both hit home runs in the victory.
Michigan Wolverines make the NCAA tournament in Lacrosse
The Michigan men’s lacrosse team clinched the Big Ten tournament title last Saturday and is set to take on Denver in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Ranked 17th, the Wolverines will face off against the fourth-ranked Denver, which holds the fifth seed. The match is scheduled for Saturday in Denver at 5 PM EST.
Additionally, the Michigan Wolverines secured an at-large berth in the women’s NCAA lacrosse tournament. Ranked fifth, they will play in South Bend in the first round against Mercer on Friday at 4 p.m. The winner of this match will advance to play against Notre Dame or Coastal Carolina on Sunday.
Former Michigan football player passes away
We are saddened to hear about the passing of former Wolverine linebacker Obi Ezeh. Our prayers go out to his family, friends and former teammates. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/2yjDvvDXj4
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) May 5, 2024
