The NIL era is well and truly underway, and Michigan has come around to adopting it. The Wolverines have been averse to the process of recruitment molding into a binary equation. The zeroes dictating a player’s future as opposed to more traditional yardsticks has not been something they’ve embraced. However, desperate times call for desperate measures. As cliche as that sounds, it rings true. Sherrone Moore sure is desperate to get the program back on the upper rungs of the B1G ladder.

The school recently announced a groundbreaking deal with fan-engagement platform Passes. This deal is potentially going to become a major revenue channel for NIL, with as much as $200 million coming in across the different varsity sports. Despite this influx of riches, things on the football recruitment front have blown hot and cold for Sherrone Moore. With the transfer portal and ensuing draft hovering over Ann Arbor, fans are hoping their team can use this newfound wealth to not just attract talent but also keep what’s already in-house.

Michigan fan and insider James Yoder made a plea with the powers that be via the Michigan Football Report YouTube channel. He wants them to use NIL funds towards keeping their defence intact for a further season. D-Linemen Derrick Moore and TJ Guy already appear to be tracking to return. The pair was weighing up declaring for the NFL draft. However, they reportedly will forgo it to utilize their last year of college eligibility. That said, the futures of other key members, including those in the secondary, are still up in the air.

This includes Rod Moore, who spent the entire 2024 season on the sidelines due to an ACL injury. “If they can make an NIL- one of those one year deals- to Rod Moore then he comes back [for certain].” said Yoder. “Also, what happens to Jaishawn Barham? What happens to Ernest Hausmann? Those guys are not going to the NFL Draft, [but] they could transfer. I’m not saying they would or will even consider it. But as long as I believe Michigan makes decent enough, one more year fund NIL deals, you’re going to have the core of this defense.” Jaishawn Bahram and Ernest Hausmann are both linebackers. Yoder also mentioned D-lineman Rayshaun Benny as a potential piece Michigan could lose if they’re not proactive.

These players collectively formed the backbone of the Wolverines’ National Championship in 2023. With the offensive side of the ball going through an overhaul, Sherrone Moore will seek to keep the defense intact and build on from there. Leaning on the defense is what salvaged a poor season from being catastrophic. So far, the signs bode well, beginning from the trenches and moving back with Derrick Moore and TJ Guy. However, they’re assuredly losing a pair of maize-and-blue superheroes. 

Sherrone Moore is already losing a couple of defensive stars to the NFL

Michigan’s Natty run dissipated quickly, but the components did not. Two players whose services Sherrone Moore will not have at his disposal next season are corner Will Johnson and D-tackle Mason Graham. The two are moving on to the NFL- not to take part, but to take over. Both players are projected to be lottery picks off the board in April. That goes to show the hit Michigan’s defense stands to take upon losing them.

Owing to a toe injury, Will Johnson hasn’t suited up since mid-October. But his lofty draft stock was essentially set in stone. Johnson racked up 68 tackles, 11 passes defended, and nine picks in his stint at Ann Arbor. He has a program-record of 3 pick-sixes to his name. The epitome of his plethora of achievements was undoubtedly being named defensive MVP in the National Championship. 

Mason Graham’s resume is not lacking any luster either. He garnered 107 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 3 passes defended, and a forced fumble during his stint. Graham was perhaps the best player on the field when Michigan beat Ohio State in Columbus a fortnight ago. Losing this caliber of talent will inadvertently cause a downturn in their defensive prowess. For Sherrone Moore, keeping hold of the other pieces becomes exponentially more important. The program, indeed, has to leverage the full force of its NIL prowess.