So, the football bust was last night and word has spread that a few players weren't present: Carson Butler, Avery Horn, and Sam McGuffie. This is obviously a sign they won't be around next year. Some brief words on their status.

A couple sources suggested Butler was the guy who Rodriguez mentioned had not been present at the first team meeting after the season. Supposedly he was part of that flareup on the sidelines in the Ohio State game and challenged Rodriguez to an honor du-el or threatened to St. Valentines Day Nerd Massacre him or something. That sounds farfetched but I've heard the exact same story from two different sources. Butler was already hanging by a thread under Carr and quickly found himself in Rodriguez's doghouse for, you know, never blocking anyone.

Personal opinion on his departure: extremely likely.

Horn got to return like one kickoff the whole year even when two or three of the running backs in front of him were out. The writing is on the wall; I haven't heard anything specific on his status but a playing time transfer (Fresno State?) would make a lot of sense.

McGuffie. Hey, this electrical socket seems fun to stick my hand into. Ouch. Let's do it again!

So, yeah: yesterday Tom got a couple of independent reports that McGuffie was out again, and then came this bust thing. I think he's gone this time, and also expect him to change his mind fifteen minutes after this post goes up.

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If that's the whole flood of transfers—and these remain unconfirmed—Michigan got off easy. Other than McGuffie, the guys leaving (Babb, Chambers, Horn, Butler) were noncontributors. Babb and Butler did play a bit, but not well, and it was clear the staff was looking for better options.

Chambers was a potential contributor at safety or linebacker and his departure does thin the ranks at an already thin position, and McGuffie showed potential before his concussions.