Michigan Wolverines immediately find perfect offensive replacement via the Transfer Portal following Maize vs. Blue Spring Game
All eyes were on the Michigan Wolverines Spring Game Saturday as Bryce Underwood and company took the field at the Big House, including one important visitor who is now set to be a part of the 2025 roster.Michigan had just lost running back Benjamin Hall to the Transfer Portal this week after he was set […]
All eyes were on the Michigan Wolverines Spring Game Saturday as Bryce Underwood and company took the field at the Big House, including one important visitor who is now set to be a part of the 2025 roster.
Michigan had just lost running back Benjamin Hall to the Transfer Portal this week after he was set to play a reserve role for the third straight season in a row. Although he was going to play more of a backup role, likely sliding into the RB3 spot for Michigan this year, it was pretty abundantly clear that the Wolverines needed to find a replacement.
Yes, the team still has a handful of other scholarship running backs on the team, but none with very much meaningful experience against top competition. Thankfully, Michigan was quick to pursue a running back that may actually be an upgrade over Hall.
CJ Hester, a running back who played for UMass last season, was on site visiting Michigan at the spring game on Saturday and apparently saw enough to commit on the spot. Hester announced shortly following the game that he will be joining Michigan Football this summer.
Hester, a lower tier three star recruit in high school, originally began his career playing for the Western Michigan Broncos back in 2023, but transferred to UMass ahead of the 2024. Hester quickly climbed the depth chart for UMass, tallying the most touches on offense for the Minutemen last season, putting up nearly 600 yards from scrimmage.
Hester's most impressive showing came at the end of his 2024 season when he racked up 74 yards and a touchdown on the ground against the Georgia Bulldogs. But even prior to that he was flashing some wild highlight plays that featured physicality, explosion, and finish (as you can see in the highlight play against UConn in the post below).
Hester will most certainly play a reserve role for Michigan this season, at least to start the year. Both Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall have done enough to prove they're the obvious number one and two options out of the Michigan backfield alongside five star QB Bryce Underwood (or perhaps veteran transfer QB Mikey Keene).
However, unlike many transfers, Hester actually has two more seasons of remaining eligibility. Depending on how this season goes Hester could perhaps even redshirt, then star alongside Marshall for two more years after that. It's too early to tell how 2025 will pan out for Hester, but he should be able to step into the RB3 role if necessary, and perhaps stick with the Wolverines for a long while.
Sherrone Moore ecstatic about his running backs and offensive scheme following Michigan Wolverines Spring Game
Sherrone Moore excited for his running backs and offensive scheme at Michigan
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