departures

Michigan is going to lose a chunk of their tight end depth, including a former starter who previously told the program he was returning. Erick All is the big one, since we were planning on him returning to start next season with Luke Schoonmaker going to the senior bowl:

All should have two years of eligibility left thanks to the COVID year and a medshirt for 2022.

[Hit THE JUMP for a career summary, Hansen, and analysis]

Aw man, not on Detroit Day!

Michigan’s giant 2020 linebacker class, the one that was supposed to restock the cupboards, is down to just Kalel Mullings and Nikhai Hill-Green, after LB Cornell Wheeler announced this evening he’s entering the portal.

Can confirm: #Michigan LB Cornell Wheeler has entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.

— Aaron McMann (@AaronMcMann) June 2, 2021

Can confirm #GoBlue linebacker Cornell Wheeler has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal: https://t.co/WSm6VWJrFW

— Steve Lorenz (@TremendousUM) June 2, 2021

The lowest ranked but highest floored of the class that’s also lost viper William Mohan and ILB Osman Savage, Wheeler’s calling card was playing in the heart of West Bloomfield’s defense, which then-coach Ron Bellamy modeled on Don Brown’s, including in terminology. Wheeler didn’t just dabble his toes in it either—he started four games as a freshman and racked up almost 300 tackles as an upperclassman, serving as team captain both seasons.

While that early familiarity helped fellow 2020 Laker Makari Paige play ahead of two touted New Jersey safeties, it’s moot now, and didn’t help even when Brown was still around. Wheeler did not play last year, and was not threatening the depth chart this spring when true freshman Junior Colson and Wheeler’s remaining classmates all got mention behind starters Josh Ross and Michael Barrett.

Still, we had hopes that all of these friends from high school—including his former head coach—would mean Wheeler would be more patient than most guys in his situation.  With a free transfer year and a lot of easier paths to the field, it’s also highly understandable, especially considering the athletes that Macdonald is targeting, and targeted while with the Ravens. We mournfully hand off this all-time coach quote/prayer to whichever path he chooses:

Ron Bellamy: “[Cornell Wheeler is] a physically intimidating kid, for a high school kid. You know, you’re on the sideline as a coach and, by preparation and game planning, you know when the team’s going to run the screen or going to run the draw, whatever it may be. And he’s on the field screaming out what’s about to happen. And you’re just like, "Oh man. Bless these kids that are about to get hit by Cornell."

Michigan has been active in the portal for DT, LB, and CB help, but hasn’t had any luck with much beyond the former. Even former West Bloomfield LB Lance Dixon couldn’t get past the part where we try to work around Michigan’s byzantine transfer protocols.

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Sui generis.

As expected, Michigan’s freakish gumbyman, and last year’s only projected lottery pick, announced he will be leaving Michigan for the NBA Draft.

Franz Wagner has made his decision to leave early for the @NBADraft ... Take a minute to read his letter to 〽️ Nation from the @PlayersTribune

Letter | https://t.co/EWb4MdLgED
Release | https://t.co/56GmKaupiA#GoBlue 〽️#ForCompetitorsOnly pic.twitter.com/Ps45mAMSBU

— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) May 4, 2021

From Beilein taking the Cavs job when Wagner was in the international check-in line, to that final step-back three against UCLA, this was a Michigan career of incredible odds that every Michigan fan would roll again in a heartbeat. Franz waited until graduation to make the announcement, using the extra time to pen a heartfelt goodbye to the program and fans, in case you needed a reminder how extraordinary this all was:

On the other hand, I had an offer to play college hoops in Ann Arbor. My brother, Moe, of course gave me helpful advice about this option. And I had good conversations with Coach Howard and his staff. But still … college in the States, that was basically a mystery. It meant flying halfway around the world, to live alone, in a whole different culture — the opposite of a comfortable choice. It meant I’d have to take a leap of faith.

And after months of going back and forth in my head about it (and against the advice and expectations of almost everybody at home), that’s what I did. Not because Moe did it — but because I wanted to do it my way. I took a leap of faith.

Perhaps because of how it started, Michigan put its faith in Wagner, from working out some early shooting issues as a freshman, to putting the ball in his hands when they needed one bucket to advance to the Final Four. Perhaps the best help defender in college last year, we’ll never forgive the Big Ten giving Wagner’s Defensive Player of the Year award to a less deserving Terp.

Odds are good that Wagner will find an NBA home fairly early in the draft, and carve out a long career that inspires leagues of basketball nerd studies. Michigan was well-prepared for this, at least in the aggregate, with 5-star shooter Caleb Houstan ready to step in at the wing, and 5-star forward Moussa Diabate arriving to make up the difference defensively. It would be fortunate indeed if we ever see Wagner’s like again.

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