Expert Explains Why Michigan's Transfer Portal Class is 'Sneaky Good'

Michigan football head coach Kyle Whittingham retained a good portion of the 2025 roster who will again help the Wolverines win games in the 2026 season.

For those who did leave, Whittingham and his staff brought over players from the transfer portal (20 total) to fill those spots on the roster.

On3 college football analyst J.D. Pickell explained on his show recently why he thinks Michigan's transfer class is "sneaky good" and went in depth on why he likes the transfers coming to Ann Arbor in 2026.

Michigan football head coach Kyle Whittingham speaks as he is being introduced on the floor during the first half between Michigan and USC at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Pickell on Michigan's transfer class

When looking at it on the surface, Michigan's transfer portal class doesn't move the needle when it comes to being flashy or standing out, ranking as the No. 66 transfer portal class in the On3 rankings.

However, that ranking can be deceptive considering the Wolverines moved to add several depth pieces at positions they were already in solid shape with, which won't do much in terms of elevating a team's ranking with the transfer class.

In essence, Michigan's roster was already in good shape before having to make any additions from the portal, meaning the needs on the roster weren't quite as dire from what we are used to typically seeing with a new coach coming into a program. A big overhaul was not needed with a young team that won nine games this past season.

However, Whittingham and staff did move to add some key pieces who will very likely help the team in 2026 and into the future, and Pickell likes a handful of those players.

Whittingham added five players who played under him at Utah in defensive back Smith Snowden, wide receiver JJ Buchanan, EDGE John Henry Daley, WR/ DB Salesi Moa and defensive lineman Jonah Lea'ea.

Jonah Lae'ea — Sep 7, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes defensive tackle Jonah Lea'ea (91) forces a fumble by Baylor Bears quarterback Dequan Finn (7) during the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

"It'd be one thing if those players were following Kyle Whittingham from Utah to Michigan and they had one like seven games last year," Pickell said. "This was a 10-win football team. And like, when you take a step back, this has kind of been what Michigan football is when they're at their best. Michigan I think is kind of the grilled chicken and rice of college football. It's not super trendy, doesn't get you super excited when you see it in the fridge or see it on the menu, but you know what it is? It's good for you, it'd hardy, it's going to get the best out of you."

Pickell said whether this roster equates to Michigan earning a College Football Playoff berth for the first time since 2023 remains to be seen, but when evaluating the roster at this point, he thinks the incoming transfers can mix in quite well with the other players on the team and a coaching staff that has worked with Whittingham for a long time.

"All I can say right now is I like the inputs," Pickell said. "I like the inputs, I like the head coach, I like the roster more than most. I like the continuity coming over from Utah at a roster level and a coaching staff level. I love Jason Beck's scheme having looking more closely at it over the course of the last couple of days. I can't promise you it's all going to equate to a College Football Playoff berth and Michigan is once against hoisting a national title trophy as the confetti falls in Vegas in January, whatever it is. But I like the inputs as it stands right now."

JJ Buchanan celebrates — Dec 31, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Utes tight end JJ Buchanan (81) celebrates after a reception against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first half during the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images