Jim Harbaugh packed his bag hastily and departed to the NFL after ‘burger gate’ and sign-stealing allegations started intensifying. Sherrone Moore became the head coach, transitioning from an OC job, and managed to finish his first season 8-5. It was not really world-class by Michigan’s standards, but the wins against Ohio State and Alabama later in the Bowl game weren’t just statements, but warning signs for the rivals for the next season. Michigan started working towards the same goal quickly.

They roped in five-star generational QB Bryce Underwood under Brian Kelly’s nose and managed to produce a 6th-ranked class nationally. Sure, this will guarantee Michigan to produce a national contender season, right? Well, yes, and no. While the class is undoubtedly brimming with talent, the onus now remains on Sherrone Moore to keep his players on his roster and prevent them from transferring. Incidentally, two players have recently decided to do the same in Michigan’s camp.

As per On3’s Pete Nakos, the Michigan LB Jason Hewlett has decided to put in a transfer request and will be looking for pastures anew. Nakos posted on his X account. “Michigan linebacker Jason Hewlett is entering the transfer portal, his agency @QCSports tells @SWiltfong_ and I. The 6-3, 227-pound LB has three years of eligibility remaining“.

Hewlett,  a 4-star prospect who was ranked 21st as an athlete in the 2023 class, has failed to impress Sherrone Moore and Jim Harbaugh in his 2 seasons with the team. The 6-foot-3 and 227 lbs linebacker appeared in just one game last season against the Northwestern Wildcats and managed to garner 3 total tackles that also include two solo ones. The other player who has decided to enter the transfer portal may disrupt some of Sherrone Moore’s plans.

Amorion Walker decided to enter the portal on Thursday and is also looking to play for a new program. The 2024 transfer from Ole Miss, the 6’4″ and 180 lbs prospect plays as a wide receiver primarily, but also has played snaps as a Corner Back, just like Travis Hunter. The two-way player totaled 3 tackles last season and had 34 receiving yards in the two games he appeared in. He will have 2 years of eligibility left starting from this season.

Spring game comes with a tweak for Michigan

Matt Rhule first floated the idea of canceling the spring game, a tradition built over a century. Other programs followed suit. Steve Sarkisian gave player fatigue as his reason to cancel the spring game, and Kenny Dillingham also expressed reservations about the idea. The skepticism primarily stemmed from concerns about tampering and player poaching. Michigan, on the other hand, under Sherrone Moore, may not feel the heat like the other coaches, but has made some changes still.

The program will not broadcast its spring scrimmage live on television. Furthermore, Moore also stressed on keeping the game quite rudimentary.

“We’re playing it,” Moore said Monday. “It’s a great opportunity for our players — and our fans — to be out there, and just see the team in general. Now, we’re not going to run every single play and do every single thing, but it’s a great opportunity — especially for the guys that may not get the opportunity to play in the Big House on Saturdays as much as others“.

The game will be played on April 19th at 11 AM, at the Big House. It will be an open ticket match as the program will not charge a fee from the people attending it. Maybe the decision not to broadcast the game was to attract more footfall in the stadium. Who knows? Whatever may be the case, we at least will finally get to see Bryce Underwood throwing for Michigan and other QBs like Jadyn Davis or Mikey Keene battle it out on the field.