Interesting Transfer Portal Players At Interesting Positions

We all have takes about what Michigan's needs are from the transfer portal. Of course the coaches have the ability to construct a great roster and don't need this thread - but its fun to discuss anyway. Here are some interesting offensive players in the transfer portal (uncommitted) as well as some other interesting names/cases.

Data is from 24/7 because I like the functionality of their site. Please note: I do not know specific player eligibility (grad transfer, credits etc.). Starting with offense today, may do defense tomorrow.

TE - We are starting here because we love our TEs.

Benjamin Yurosek (Stanford) - Has more than 100 career catches and more than 1,000 career yards. Had a down year in 2023 playing in only 5 games (16/239/1) after back to back seasons where he secured 42/653/3 in 2021 and 49/445/1 in 2022. Has a few buddies on the team. Credits should hopefully transfer, I think Stanford is an okay school.

Corey Dychess (Maryland) - Also has a buddy at UM (our new LB). had 49/491/2 in 2023, and 39/494/3 IN 2022. Has played 39 games for Maryland. Tough to find that type of experience and UM loves TEs and is losing Barner  a year after losing a ton of underclassmen depth.

Tanner Koziol (Ball State) - Is considered 24/7's top TE. Had 34/295/3 in 2023, and 25/373/7 in 2022.

 

WR - Everyone's favorite position of need.

Silas Bolden (Oregon State) - Has Texas as his leader, but that might change with Isiah Bond signing with the Longhorns today. Bolden is small (5-10, 170) so he is not the red zone target that everyone has yearned for. Still, he has NFL talent (his brother Victor has bounced around the NFL and played against us a few years ago). Had 54 catches for 746 yards this year. Made big statistical jumps in each of the past two seasons. May have two years of eligibility and was OSU's leading receiver last year.

There are a few other notable players like a pair of USC WRs Mario Williams and Dorian Singer but if they didn't get the money and or targets at USC, I doubt they are coming to Michigan. The rest of the list are not notable players - not even big names from small schools. WR may be slim pickens (like QB).
 

QB - Let the debate begin whether we need a player here our not. I'm not saying we do, or don't. I'm putting names on a list.

Will Rogers (Washington, via Mississippi State) - Mike Leach's Bulldog gunslinger who threw for more than 4,700 yards in 2021 and 3,900 yards in 2022. His best season was in 2022 when he had a completion percentage of 73.9% to go along with 4,739 yards, 36 TDs and 9 interceptions. Worst season was 2023 where his rating dipped to 59.9 for 1,626 yards, 12 TDs and 4 interceptions. Is not a rusher. Adjusted for sacks has never had positive rushing yards in a season and only one rushing TD (way back in 2022). Likely wants to go somewhere to sling the ball around, hence the transfer to Washington. May not be the right fit stylewise, but probably the only legit transfer QB available. Outside of Rogers, its Jordan McCloud from James Madison followed by nothing.

Unless you want someone like  like Grant Gunnell (who looks like Lloyd Brady). 

This one is not a transfer!*

Michael Pratt (Tulane) - Remember when Tulane beat USC in the Cotton Bowl in January 2023? Pratt threw for 234 yards and 2 TDS in that came to go along with 83 rushing yards. And sure USC's defense is so bad, MGrowOld could put up similar stats. But this one is interesting because Pratt is headed to the Senior Bowl in an obvious attempt to boost his draft stock. I've searched and don't see if he has hired an agent. Assuming he hasn't, he could be an option.

Pratt is as solid as they come (6-2, 200 lbs) and was expected to put up gaudy numbers in 2023 - but he got injured the first game of the season, missed a couple contests and wasn't used again in the run game until late October. He also didn't have a signature win like he did in the 2022 season vs. USC.

In 4 years (3+ as a starter), Pratt has 730 completions (60.6 rate) for 9,611 yards and 90 TDs with 26 picks. He's added 1,147 rushing yards foe 28 TDs.

This one is not a transfer either, but I feel compelled to put it here. Don't neg me too much - because again, I am not in the admissions office....

Mark Gronowski (South Dakota State) - Just won his own National Championship in the FCS and is considered a fringe NFL talent. Played four three years for the Jackrabbits - the Spring of 2021 (as a weird Covid shortened/delayed season), and then two real seasons. In his two real seasons, he was steady. 2022 saw a 64.6% completion percentage with a 46:9 TD to interception ratio and an average of about 66% of passes completed. He also has 23 career rushing TDs. Maybe that makes him a FCS man's Alex Orji. But I thought it was interesting considering he could benefit from heightened completion (like Pratt)

Taulia Tagovailoa (Maryland) - A lot of people go to school for 7 years!

 

That's a start for now. Who else do you see as an offensive option in the portal?