Michigan’s shocking decision to fire head coach Sherrone Moore has sent shockwaves through Ann Arbor and the entire college football world. The timing is brutal, the future uncertain, and the ripple effects could be massive.
With a new coaching staff expected to bring different philosophies and schemes, several key players may consider entering the transfer portal when it opens. Here are five Michigan players who could test the waters in the aftermath of Moore’s dismissal.
QB Bryce Underwood
Few players in the country will be watched more closely than former No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood. The 6-foot-4, 228-pound Detroit star showed flashes of brilliance in his debut season, but also didn’t progress quite at the pace many expected.
His 2025 numbers:
- 2,229 passing yards on 61%
- 323 rushing yards
- 14 total TDs, eight turnovers
- 7th-best QBR (73.0) in the Big Ten
- PFSN QB Impact Grade: 78.1
Despite throwing only nine passing touchdowns, ranking 111th nationally, he still led Michigan to a 9–3 record and displayed the rare physical traits that made him a generational recruit.
Underwood is one of the highest-paid young quarterbacks in the NIL era, and Moore’s firing puts him at a crossroads early in his career. Every major college football program would line up to take him if he entered the transfer portal.
Whether he stays or goes will shape Michigan’s entire future.
RB Jordan Marshall
When Justice Haynes went down, Jordan Marshall became the breakout star Michigan didn’t know it needed. The sophomore exploded as one of the Big Ten’s most productive backs:
- 932 rushing yards
- 10 touchdowns
- 6.2 yards per carry
- Four straight 100-yard games
- Second-Team All-Big Ten (Media)
- PFSN RB Grade: 83.1 (25th best)
Marshall’s emergence was one of the biggest surprises of Michigan’s 2025 season. With two years of eligibility remaining and the possibility that Haynes leaves for the NFL, he’d be a top priority for the next coaching staff.
However, uncertainty surrounding the scheme, offensive identity, and staff changes could make Marshall a portal target for programs seeking a ready-made workhorse.
WR Andrew Marsh
Michigan has struggled for years to land and develop elite wide receivers. Andrew Marsh might finally be the one to break that trend, if he stays.
The top-100 freshman recruit led the team in receiving:
- 42 catches
- 641 yards
- 3 touchdowns
- Pop-off game: 12-catch, 189-yard performance vs. Northwestern
- PFSN Grade: 82.3
Marsh flashed star potential and looked like the next great Michigan wide receiver, possibly their most hyped player since Nico Collins. His growth during the 2025 campaign demonstrated the true extent of his ceiling.
However, with instability at the head coach and offensive staff positions, Michigan risks losing a foundational piece of its future passing attack.
CB Jyaire Hill
One of the most naturally gifted defenders on the roster, Jyaire Hill, entered 2025 with early-round NFL Draft expectations. While his junior campaign was uneven, he still showcased elite traits.
Season metrics:
- 136 yards allowed
- Three touchdowns allowed on 38 targets
- Six pass breakups
- One interception
Hill has two years of eligibility remaining and still carries the upside of a shutdown corner. Michigan’s staff has long believed he could follow the path of former Wolverine star Will Johnson.
If a new defensive scheme doesn’t suit him, Hill would be one of the most sought-after cornerbacks in the portal.
RB Savion Hiter: 2026 5-Star Recruit
Michigan’s most significant win on the recruiting trail, Savion Hiter, the No. 27 player in the 2026 ESPN 300, could now be in jeopardy. The Wolverines haven’t signed a higher-ranked RB recruit in the entire ESPN era (since 2006).
A dynamic 6-foot, 210-pound runner with power and speed, Hiter was a top priority for Moore’s staff. Michigan beat Georgia, Ohio State, and Tennessee for his commitment, a massive recruiting victory. With how many teams that were in on him during his recruiting process, he won’t have any shortage of teams to get back in on him if he decided to switch it up.
Hitter has the potential to be the best running back Michigan has ever had. Losing him would be a devastating blow to the Wolverines’ long-term offensive identity.
If Moore’s firing shakes up the program more than expected, Hiter may reconsider his future.
Final Thoughts
Michigan is entering a chaotic period, and with a new staff incoming, scheme changes are inevitable. As uncertainty clouds the program, several key players may explore the transfer portal.
Whether any of these five Wolverines leave will depend on:
- Who will Michigan hire as the next head coach
- How quickly can a new staff member build trust
- What vision do they present for the program’s future
For now, the Wolverines’ roster and their future hang in the balance.
