Michigan football lost its first player to the transfer portal as running back C.J. Stokes has announced his departure, plus a new crystal ball.

During the first week of the transfer portal being open, Michigan football didn’t lose a single player. However, that changed on Monday as running back C.J. Stokes announced he has entered the portal.

Stokes showed some promise with the Wolverines as a freshman during the 2022 season carrying the ball 55 times for 273 yards and a touchdown. That was good enough for an average of five yards per carry for the former three-star recruit.

It seems like there will be more playing time available at running back for Michigan football in 2024, especially with Blake Corum moving on.

Yet, the status of Donovan Edwards for next season is still unclear, plus Kalel Mullings, Benjamin Hall, and Cole Cabana are others stated to compete for more carries. There has also been chatter that Michigan football will be looking to add a back in the transfer portal.

Transfer portal crystal ball in favor of Michigan

In some potentially good news for Michigan football in the transfer portal, the Wolverines are now the favorite to land former Maryland linebacker Jaishawn Barham.

Barham was highly productive for the Terps the past two seasons with 95 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, seven tackles, an interception, and two pass breakups. He also was a top-150 overall recruit out of high school.

Steve Lorenz of The Michigan Insider has projected Barham to the Wolverines. Barham is from St. Frances Acamedy which is where Biff Poggi used to coach. Blake Corum and Derrick Moore also went there, plus with the graduation of Michael Barrett, this would be a great it.