ANN ARBOR, MI — There are persistent rumors, mostly by rival fans who claim “a wrecking ball could come down on Michigan State football at any moment,” that the Wolverines will lose many of their star players to the transfer portal this offseason. There is.
That makes sense. That's the law in this country this year, especially with a team that has had a coaching change. Like Washington, Alabama lost many star players. Ohio State started it before adding much after that. However, the University of Michigan lost just one major contributor with Keon sub opting to play in Tuscaloosa instead of Ann Arbor next year. But if not, that's it. But the spring portal window awaits, and those rival fans continue to insist that the University of Michigan will lose the heart and soul of the team in 2024.
But what about those players themselves? They vehemently deny that this is the case, insisting it's all about the team and the bond they've built.
“We'll definitely talk about it. But I want to be here, everyone wants to be here, and everyone wants to be with each other,” junior defensive tackle Kenneth Grant said. “I mean, it trumps everything. The kind of brotherhood that we have for each other, that's bigger than anything. So try to stick together as much as you can.”
Grant, fellow defensive tackle Mason Graham, tight end Colston Loveland, and cornerback Will Johnson are often the targets of these rumors, but Johnson especially has a new name, image, and likeness. I can understand why some people in the world make such decisions. The traditional defensive back is content with his situation.
And he feels the rest of the team is as well.
“I think it’s all about where the money is for you and your team and where you are at school,” Johnson said. “There's a lot of things that go into it. So I think it all depends on the situation. But I'm happy with where we are and what they've done for us. I'm satisfied. That's why I think it was great here.”
Of course, there will be not only player changes but also coaching changes, meaning Michigan could struggle next season.
Last year, it was clear the Wolverines were going to be national title contenders, given the number of returning players and just two departing assistant coaches. But things have changed dramatically this offseason, especially on offense, and some may be reconsidering their decision to stay.
The Maize and Blue lost star players Blake Collum and JJ McCarthy, as well as their entire starting offensive line. This means a lot of equipment changes will be required. But Colston Loveland doesn't feel it poses too many problems for him or his teammates in terms of assessing that possibility.
“I know some people think it's hard, but it's like, they're all my people. And I know they have my full support, and I know they have my full support. I had their full support,” Loveland said. “So I just trust — I know everybody's going to do what they're supposed to do. And those quarterbacks know they need to step up and do it.” know and will, they will.
“So, we're all feeling really good right now. And, yeah, no one's worried — I don't think anyone's worried about anything right now. We're just working hard every day to get better.” I’m just doing it.”
Well, speculation is speculation, but it's a brave new world in college football. Teams are tampering, but the NCAA doesn't seem interested in doing anything about it.
Other schools will do everything they can to poach players, even if they're not in the transfer portal. There are rumors that money is a factor, and that can certainly be upsetting, especially if you don't make much NIL money at your current school.
Still, the Wolverines are content in Ann Arbor and don't seem to want to be lured away.
“What's going to be there is going to be what's going to be there. You can't focus on that,” Grant said. “You have to be present in the moment and focus on the moment.”
“It's certainly easy to be tempted,” Johnson said. “Especially when you hear the numbers and stuff like that. But I mean, we're so close together and we've got such a talented group of guys that it's also hard to overlook that. So we're really together. We want to stay in, stay together, and get better together. That's our mindset. And that's where we stand.”
The story originally appeared on Wolverines Wire
