Exit: Charles Thomas
According to a report from Maize n Brew with confirmation from the program, redshirt freshman inside linebacker Charles Thomas has entered the transfer portal:
Michigan Wolverines redshirt freshman linebacker Charles Thomas has officially entered the transfer portal and is no longer with the team, program spokesman Dave Ablauf confirmed to Maize n Brew on Monday morning.
Thomas was a three-star prospect out of IMG Academy and Michigan's only inside linebacker signed in the 2019 class. He was expected to compete for snaps behind starters Cam McGrone and Josh Ross this season. He hasn't been the subject of much practice buzz, however, while a trio of freshmen have received praise at linebacker: Nikhai Hill-Green, Kalel Mullings, and Cornell Wheeler. A fourth freshman linebacker, Osman Savage, also chose to enter the transfer portal.
Michigan also has a big linebacker haul coming in the 2021 class, including two players in or very near top-100 status in Branden Jennings and Junior Colson. Jaydon Hood is also a four-star, while three-star Tyler McLaurin may be the best fit on the interior.
If Thomas was already getting passed by true freshmen, his transfer shouldn't have a significant impact on the 2020 team, and there are reinforcements coming. This is a position group that had so many young players coming in—not to mention two locked-in starters—that some attrition was to be expected. If the defense needs extra inside linebacker depth aside from the players above, VIPER Michael Barrett has worked at ILB and looks like the potential backup at both spots.
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October 19th, 2020 at 10:39 AM ^
With such a stacked linebacker room, it was only inevitable a few would transfer out once the competitions started to end for the jobs
October 19th, 2020 at 10:42 AM ^
He looks like a great corner.
October 19th, 2020 at 10:56 AM ^
Not having any LB left from an entire recruiting class seems bad for depth... but I'm not an expert in this field.
#BRINGBACKOPPONENTWATCH
October 19th, 2020 at 10:58 AM ^
I always feel bad when kids leave Michigan, that they could have worked more, or the coaches could have found a place for them, but in the end it is better that they find a place that can take advantage of their talents. Not to project, but I've worked too long at dead-end/bad jobs because I needed to earn money, and was tied to a bad location. Being passed by sucks. It's good that kids recognize the bad fit or that the window of opportunity passed them and can find a situation they are better suited for. It admits that all of these kids aren't here to play school, or at least that they want a good education AND an opportunity to play.
October 19th, 2020 at 12:16 PM ^
I am old, but this resonates with me.
When a Freshman (Savage) who has barely been on campus, and a Redshirt Freshman "give up" after such a short time - makes me wonder about their mindset and desire to take on challenges. Not questioning their drive or ability - just wondering why so many choose to jump vs. working on themselves to get better and move up on merit.
October 19th, 2020 at 12:36 PM ^
I wouldn’t be shocked if he was nudged by the coaches to do so.
October 19th, 2020 at 2:02 PM ^
I could see that in the offseason. In the week of our first game? Seems very "off".
At minimum, he would be a solid depth and scout team player during what could be a rough season - and if there are any players out - he could conceivably move up.
Plus, there is no loss of time this year due to Covid. I don't get it.
October 19th, 2020 at 1:22 PM ^
Rarely happy to see a kid go, and certainly not in this case, but this likely just means the remaining freshmen are studs who are planting flags in the two-deep. Plus as Ace says, next year’s LB class is... scary. In a good way
October 19th, 2020 at 2:19 PM ^
Agreed but why not stick out the season and get bigger and stronger - and possibly in-game experience?
There is no loss of eligibility for playing this year, so I don't get why you wouldn't take advantage of B1G Coaching and Training.
October 19th, 2020 at 2:09 PM ^
This makes sense when you're getting passed by younger guys on the depth chart. But, is it just me or are guys entering the transfer portal from UM at an alarming rate the past 3 seasons? It sucks when it's someone at a position of need like a Hudson, Solomon, McCaffrey, etc. At some point some guys have to stick around for depth. I'd like to see the transfer rule require guys to stay for 2 years before they go so they don't just pack it in if they don't like where they fall on the depth chart at the of spring/fall camp going into year two.
October 19th, 2020 at 2:28 PM ^
I am concerned at the volume of players entering the portal - but that is happening everywhere
Not sure why, but there is no stay anymore...just get out and try to find a spot you can play without putting in the time to get better than the guy in front of you.
October 19th, 2020 at 6:45 PM ^
Good luck to him! Hopefully he lands at a P5 school that has a bit thinner depth so he can get a good amount of snaps this year.
October 19th, 2020 at 10:22 PM ^
I had high hopes for him...not sure why.
Truth is, he's already been passed by Mullings and more guys are on the way.
Fuck the FREEP because more transfers are on the way with this free year the NCAA has given everybody. So continue to add to your transferred under Harbaugh list, because it's coming.
I can look right now and see...
1 RB,
SOME OL
1 SDE
And at least 1 DB who will transfer.
And that's easily, as in folks like Thomas who just make sense.
Hopefully Thomas can do like Sims and end up starting for GT next year.
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