Rivals rankings director and national transfer portal analyst Adam Friedman has thoughts on Michigan’s transfer portal priorities, Virginia Tech’s star running back and the ACC scoring leaders.
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1. Michigan will be a buyer at QB & WR in the portal.
It is incredible that Michigan’s quarterback situation got to this point. Davis Warren, Alex Orji and Jack Tuttle have not been the answer for the Wolverines in the post-J.J. McCarthy era. Prior to its matchup with Illinois on Saturday, Michigan has had the 98th-rated passing offense according to PFF. It’s not breaking news that Michigan will likely go after a quarterback in the transfer portal this offseason but don’t be surprised when Michigan adds a transfer receiver or two.
Semaj Morgan and Tyler Morris will be Michigan’s only experienced receivers entering next season but they don’t exactly strike fear into defenses. I’Marion Stewart and Brady Prieskorn are just a couple other talented pass catchers on the Michigan roster but the Wolverine coaching staff is expected to go after some receivers when the transfer portal season hits.
Indiana transfer Donaven McCulley already has an official visit scheduled to Ann Arbor for next weekend when the Wolverines host Michigan State. He won’t be the last transfer receiver to take a close look at Michigan.
2. Can’t overlook Bhayshul Tuten
If you watched the Saints-Broncos game on Thursday night, you chose the wrong football game.
Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten, who transferred in from North Carolina A&T before the 2023 season, put on a show in the 42-21 win over Boston College. He scored four touchdowns and posted a school-record 264 rushing yards on 18 carries. One of those touchdowns came on an 83-yard run.
In seven games this season, “Tugboat” Tuten is 14 yards away from surpassing his rushing total from last season and his 12 touchdowns this year is already two more than last year. He’s also posting the best yards per carry average of his college career.
Currently, Tuten is fourth in rushing touchdowns and rushing yards in the FBS. In rushing yards, he trails only Ashton Jeanty, Kaleb Johnson and Omarion Hampton. That’s impressive company for a running back who hasn’t gotten much national attention so far this season – something that needs to change as we move into the second half of the season.
3. Transfers putting up numbers in the ACC
Each of the Power Four conferences are loaded with transfers that are making massive impacts on the outcomes of games but none more so than the ACC. The bi-coastal ACC has transfers leading the conference in passing touchdowns, receiving touchdowns and rushing touchdowns. It’s the only conference with transfer players leading each of the three categories.
What’s even more interesting is that each of those category leaders are from different teams. Miami’s Cam Ward, who used to suit up for Washington State and Incarnate Word, leads the conference in passing touchdowns. Former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord is lighting it up at Syracuse this season and is second in the conference in passing touchdowns.
Ja’Corey Brooks transferred from Alabama to Louisville this past offseason and he is certainly making his mark with the Cardinals. He currently leads the ACC in receiving touchdowns. The aforementioned Bhayshul Tuten leads the ACC in rushing touchdowns. He transferred to Virginia Tech from North Carolina A&T prior to the 2023 season.