From the Natty merely a year ago to drifting deep in the abyss of CFB mediocrity. A storied program such as the Michigan Wolverines cannot afford blips like this. Amidst a season doomed from early October, if not prior, the recruitment landscape for 2025 has admittedly been at the forefront of the fans and Sherrone Moore alike. Well, they say the night is darkest before dawn. This labored cliché seems to be ringing true in Ann Arbor.

The long drawn saga of No. 1 recruit Bryce Underwood’s landing spot fell in Michigan’s favor. Now that their issues at the center position are resolved, it’s time to move to the ancillary pieces. For an offense this flat, weapons out wide are a requisite need. The transfer portal presents a means to bolster a fractured receiving corp. A couple of Michigan fans plugged into the portal, think they’ve found the solution to Sherrone Moore’s plight.

In a video on the ROC Boys Football YouTube channel, the two hosts were in unison about their ideal WR candidate. One half of the tandem led with a hypothetical question to seek acknowledgment. “You’re a kid in the candy shop, you get a chance to take whatever wide receiver you want and put them in the Michigan offense of 2025. They have to be in the transfer portal. Where are you going?” they asked. “It’s got to be KC Concepcion,” replied his co-host. This feeling was reciprocated.

They elaborated on why KC Concepcion is the perfect piece for the Wolverines’ struggling offense. ‘You go back to the [2023] film for that NC State team. I don’t think you’ve seen a more dominant true freshman… the amount of versatility he has. Can carry the [football], can catch screens, can get down the field, can track the [football] deep. Like, he’s just a really complete player…He’s a monster. If they can get him, I do think he’s the guy who lets you open your offense up a little bit because he is so versatile. He can do basically anything on the field.”

Concepcion ranks No. 2 in 247Sports’ rankings of players entering the portal this offseason. The 2023 ACC Rookie of the Year leaves an NC State program in a state of flux. The sophomore’s production numbers were way down from his freshman season. This was largely due to NC State’s own issues at quarterback. For the ROC boys to get their wishes and Michigan to lure KC Concepcion to the Big House, the path is not linear. There are a bunch of adversaries pursuing the talents of Concepcion.

Sherrone Moore is in a tight spot to acquire KC Concepcion

As it stands, Michigan is seemingly not even under consideration for KC Concepcion. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, an expert pertaining to the transfer portal, there are as many as 5 programs on the former 4-star recruit’s radar. Nakos named Penn State, Auburn, Alabama, Colorado, and Kansas State. Interestingly, Kansas State has also acquired the services of KC’s younger brother, Arrion, a 3-star WR in the 2025 class.

The signs do not bode well for Michigan. Their triumph in The Game saved face for a bunch of individuals. Perhaps none more than Sherrone Moore, who needed this more than he could’ve explicitly owned up to. Unfortunately, though, it didn’t do enough to save his OC, Kirk Campbell. His much-maligned stint as the play caller came to a premature but expected end. Michigan has not yet announced a new OC. This uncertainty doesn’t help their prospects of convincing players to come onboard.

In the pipeline is Bryce Underwood, a bona fide superstar by all accounts. However, a lack of weapons to deal passes to will not allow him to thrive. The program will seek to find solutions ahead of a massive season. One season of 7-5 football can be dismissed as growing pains under a first-year HC. An upturn is necessitated, especially with the amount of NIL money spent. Michigan football isn’t averse to a late charge out of thin air. They’ll need something akin to that, promptly.