Just days after winning the national championship, Michigan is already making big moves for next season. The Wolverines have gotten the commitment of one of the most coveted big men on the transfer portal.
JP Estrella is on his way to Michigan after a strong year with the Tennessee Volunteers. He averaged 10.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game in his sophomore year, and could well be tasked with replacing the NBA-bound Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. (if he leaves).
Michigan Turns Heads With JP Estrella Addition
The college basketball world had rave reviews about the addition of Estrella, and many believe he’ll thrive with Michigan next season.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel hailed the former Tennessee forward as one of the “most coveted big men in the portal.”
NEWS: Tennessee big-man J.P. Estrella has committed to Michigan, he tells ESPN, delivering the Wolverines one of the most coveted big-men in the portal.He continues the lineage of high-end transfer big men at Michigan, as they played an outsized line-up to win the national title. pic.twitter.com/iy1XGA9QRK
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 9, 2026
“Tennessee big-man J.P. Estrella has committed to Michigan, he tells ESPN, delivering the Wolverines one of the most coveted big men in the portal.He continues the lineage of high-end transfer big men at Michigan, as they played an outsized line-up to win the national title,” he wrote.
College basketball analyst Matthew Winick backed Estrella to make a big impact at Michigan.
“Shocker, the best transfer portal team in the country (Michigan) takes probably my favorite undervalued portal player in the country (JP Estrella). Especially now under Dusty May, I wouldn’t be surprised if we look back and see Estrella as a Top 10 portal player,” he wrote on X.
Shocker, the best transfer portal team in the country (Michigan) takes probably my favorite undervalued portal player in the country (JP Estrella).
Especially now under Dusty May, I wouldn’t be surprised if we look back and see Estrella as a Top 10 portal player. https://t.co/qPv49EaPlT
— Matthew Winick (@matthewwinick) April 9, 2026
Prior to the Michigan announcement, Winick was already talking up Estrella as one of the best players in the portal
“I absolutely love JP Estrella, and think he’s going to rock in a featured role next year. I’d have hi as my third-ranked transfer right now behind [Flory] Bidunga and [John] Blackwell,” he wrote.
I absolutely love JP Estrella, and think he’s going to rock in a featured role next year.
I’d have him as my third-ranked transfer right now behind Bidunga and Blackwell. https://t.co/vcx8W0UprT
— Matthew Winick (@matthewwinick) April 6, 2026
“I absolutely love JP Estrella, and think he’s going to rock in a featured role next year. I’d have him as my third-ranked transfer right now behind Bidunga and Blackwell,” he added.
Tennessee’s local FOX Sports page shared that Estrella had also attracted interest from Kansas and Indiana, but Michigan ultimately won the race for his signature.
BREAKING: Tennessee forward JP Estrella will transfer to Michigan, per @PeteThamel 🍊
Estrella, a redshirt sophomore, spent three seasons with the Volunteers and averaged 10 points and 5.4 rebounds during the 2025-26 season.
The Wolverines beat out Kansas and Indiana. pic.twitter.com/plow5bwlzC
— FOX Sports Knoxville (@FOXSportsKnox) April 9, 2026
“Tennessee forward JP Estrella will transfer to Michigan, per Pete Thamel. Estrella, a redshirt sophomore, spent three seasons with the Volunteers and averaged 10 points and 5.4 rebounds during the 2025-26 season. The Wolverines beat out Kansas and Indiana,” they wrote.
MORE: College Basketball 2026 Transfer Portal Tracker: Complete List of Players Who Are Available
The Athletic’s CJ Moore also predicted that Estrella to enjoy a successful stint at Michigan.
“Love this fit. Estrella is one of my favorite bigs in the portal. Michigan, not surprisingly, off to a terrific start to portal season,” he wrote.
Love this fit. Estrella is one of my favorite bigs in the portal. Michigan, not surprisingly, off to a terrific start to portal season. https://t.co/eeocuwPH7H
— CJ Moore (@CJMooreHoops) April 9, 2026
Estrella’s last game for the Volunteers came against the Wolverines, finishing with 7 points and 7 rebounds while shooting 33.3% from the field.
It wasn’t the best performance, but now he’ll have a chance to show Dusty May and Co. what he can do while helping the blue and gold defend their national championship.
