Michigan players most likely to withdraw names from NFL draft (if any)?

Submitted by crg on January 15th, 2024 at 12:27 PM

We know a number of Michigan players who have already announced their intent to enter the 2024 NFL draft - and more could announce today although it is the last day they can enter.

However, as we saw with Cam Ward already some players may withdraw from this year's draft if they can get the right circumstances.  This can be done as late as Feb 2nd and they can still return to school.

So the question can be asked whether we can *realistically* see any of the Michigan players withdrawing from this year's draft?  Maybe if Harbaugh announces he's staying and/or a large NIL offer?  Who would be likely to pull out of the draft and then transfer to *another* team?

I'm not big on speculation posts like this, but there are some very interesting possibilities to consider.  Nothing is final right now for anyone with possible eligibility.  I don't *expect* any to withdraw, but who knows at this point... maybe someone else can add some perspective here.

iMBlue2

January 15th, 2024 at 12:34 PM ^

Non hope to get back the portal WR and CB.

with Dono coming back rub the kaepernick version of harbaughfense with Orji and turn on keeps should do slot to open lanes for Edwards and mullings.  Hit some timely passes and we can move the ball…D will be good.

DelGriffith

January 15th, 2024 at 12:36 PM ^

I don't know about the draft, but I'd like to see the staff talk Amorion Walker into staying...

also, I though that maybe Thaw put his name in in a funk over that muffed punt. Kinda hoping that with a bit of distance, maybe he'd change his mind. We're gonna need all the WR talent we can get.

Amazinblu

January 15th, 2024 at 12:42 PM ^

I believe Thaw entered the portal - not the Draft.  And, I strongly agree with you and hope he withdraws his name.

We all make mistakes - though many fans (me included) had a heart palpitation when that play occurred - he kept his head and made the best of a tough situation.  

Oh, I just checked - Michigan not only won the Rose Bowl, but also the national championship.

Go Blue!

RobGoBlue

January 15th, 2024 at 1:02 PM ^

What's the mentality of a person calling out a 20(?) year old kid who made a mistake... but immediately recovered from it (literally and figuratively) to save the game/season??

Hopefully it goes without saying that this is not an endorsement of harassing players who don't recover fumbles etc... I just can't imagine harassing the one who did in the wake of that great Rose Bowl victory.

I guess it'd be preferable if he never made a mistake in the first place, but we have yet to recruit that flawless brand of football player at Michigan.

Bluesince89

January 15th, 2024 at 1:28 PM ^

He specifically said in an interview on Friday with the Free Press that he was leaving because he wanted to get snaps at receiver and he didn't think he was going to get it at Michigan. Maybe he's just being a bigger person and saying that for the reporters, but that's his stated reason. At this point, he's a senior and I don't think he's ever played on offense at Michigan in any appreciable capacity. Even with a thin WR room, you kinda know what you have in him and he probably knows too, and I suspect the staff is going to be more inclined to give snaps to the younger guys to see what they can do and how they can improve. 

In that same interview, he was also admitted he was specifically instructed not to field inside the 10 and he messed up, for whatever that's worth. 

Bluesince89

January 15th, 2024 at 2:21 PM ^

Yea, I mean honestly, I don't think he had a single D1 offer in HS. IIRC, he was a PWO at Stanford, but didn't get admitted and somehow got on Michigan's radar. Given his history, and if he hasn't cracked the depth chart at Michigan in 4 years, he might be better off at a lower tier school/conference if he wants to get playing time at his desired position. On the other hand, he seems like a really smart guy. If I was him, I'd try to parlay this into grad school at a really good university. A free master's degree from say, Rice, or some other similar school, would be better long-term than a year of snaps at WR no matter what IMO. But maybe he has a secret trust fund no one knows about so this doesn't really matter.

BKBlue94

January 15th, 2024 at 3:11 PM ^

I hope he's not too broken up over that fumble or people being assholes about it. If I'm Thaw though, I might want to go somewhere I can actually play WR for my last year in college - it's a lot more fun than just returning kicks. I don't think any of us expect him to be a starting receiver here

ColeIsCorky

January 15th, 2024 at 1:14 PM ^

Sounds like Amorion may be getting calls with big $$$ offers reading between the lines from Sam’s Recruiting Roundup on Friday. These are the kind of guys the “Those Who Stay” NIL funds would be good for helping maintain roster depth. Lots of sketchy recruiting going on now. Similar to what Florida State was “caught” doing.

Rhino77

January 15th, 2024 at 1:29 PM ^

If Bartman interferes but the Cubs still win game 6 and then make the series nobody cares or remembers his name. 
 

Thaw made a mistake, corrected it the best one could and Michigan won the game. Nobody is gonna remember his flub aside from a passing “phew that was close!” I think the only one dwelling on it at this point is Thaw himself. 

Blinkin

January 15th, 2024 at 12:42 PM ^

I doubt it.  Unless someone gets an absolutely awful eval from the combine, why would they?  They have nothing more to accomplish in college.

SysMark

January 15th, 2024 at 12:45 PM ^

JJ still could - he had to put his name in today to have the option to go.  No idea what the chances are but he would have submitted for the draft today regardless.

MaizeBlueA2

January 15th, 2024 at 12:50 PM ^

None.

This was "The Last Dance" for all of the guys who left. They were always planning for this to be their last year. JJ might be the only exception, but he's made his decision. 

3 straight wins versus OSU, 3 B1G Championships, and a National Championship. 

You can't blame guys for feeling like they've accomplished all there is to accomplish at the college level.

Especially since, other than JJ...none of those guys are going to get considerably better. They've maxed out at the college level...they are who they are.

And who they are, are champions.