Massachusetts transfer running back CJ Hester has committed to Michigan.

Hester was in Ann Arbor this weekend for a visit.

As a sophomore, Hester spent the 2024 season at UMass under head coach Don Brown, prior to Brown's firing on Nov. 18, 2024. He played for Western Michigan as a true freshman under head coach Lance Taylor in 2023.

Hester will have two years of eligibility remaining, with the option for a redshirt if needed. Hester will play under head coach Sherrone Moore, offensive coordinator/quarterback coach Chip Lindsey, offensive run game/running backs coach Tony Alford and the rest of the Wolverines' staff. Michigan tight ends coach Steve Casula also shares ties to Massachusetts, as he was the offensive coordinator and running backs coach for the Minutemen in 2022 and 2023.

He will join a running backs room in Ann Arbor that includes Justice Haynes, Jordan Marshall, Micah Ka'apana, four-star true freshman Donovan Johnson and others. Michigan recently saw running back Benjamin Hall enter the transfer portal.

Hester rushed 119 times for 529 yards (4.7 yards per carry) and four touchdowns in 2024. His 529 yards ranked second on the team behind Jalen John's 583. Hester added 14 catches for 58 yards.

According to Pro Football Focus, Hester played 340 offensive snaps and recorded an offensive grade of 70.1.

While with the Broncos in 2023, Hester recorded 28 carries for 132 yards (4.4) and two touchdowns.

He is considered a three-star transfer portal player, according to Rivals. Hester was a two-star prospect out of Wyoming High School in Ohio in the 2023 class.

Stay locked in on the Rivals Transfer Tracker to keep up with the latest transfer news, portal entries, commitments, and rankings. For a deep-dive into the transfer portal, make sure you visit the Rivals Transfer Search page.

The Rivals Transfer Portal X account is a must-follow for any college football fan.

The spring college football transfer portal window is scheduled to open on April 16, 2025 for 10 days. It is the second transfer window of the 2025 recruiting cycle. The winter college football transfer portal window opened on Dec. 9, 2024 for 20 days. There was also a five-day window for players to transfer after their team finished postseason play. Additionally, players get a 30-day window to transfer when their head coach leaves.