They may have left Ann Arbor, but these players will still make a major impact this year.
The college football landscape is changing by the day. The expanded 12-team playoff has arrived, conference expansion means we’ll have new matchups annually, and players are hopping in the transfer portal at a high rate.
Here are some of the players who left Ann Arbor but could have a big year in 2024.
A.J. Henning, WR, Northwestern
Henning spent three seasons with Michigan and had some huge plays for the Wolverines. His touchdown against Ohio State put the Wolverines up early in The Game in 2021, and he returned a punt for a 61-yard touchdown in 2022. He’s also still had nothing but positive things to say about his former teammates and time in Ann Arbor.
Henning finished last season in Evanston with 45 catches for 418 yards and four touchdowns. He also carried the ball 27 times for 110 yards and one touchdown. He’ll be one of the veterans on the team and is positioned to improve on a successful first-year in Evanston.
Alan Bowman, QB, Oklahoma State
Yes, Bowman is still playing college football. After starting his college career with Texas Tech, he transferred to Michigan in 2021. He didn’t put up a ton of stats for the Wolverines, but he did complete 6-of-7 passes in 2022 and threw one touchdown.
Last year, Bowman helped lead the Oklahoma State Cowboys to a Big 12 Championship. He completed 304-of-501 attempts for 3,460 yards and 15 touchdowns.
If he’s hoping to have the same kind of impact this season, he’ll need to clean things up a bit. He threw nearly as many interceptions (14) as touchdown passes (15).
Andrel Anthony, WR, Oklahoma Sooners
After a breakout performance against Michigan State his freshman season with the Wolverines and an iconic call by Gus Johnson , Anthony only had seven catches for 80 yards and one touchdown in 2022. He’s another player who’s continued to encourage and support his former Michigan teammates publicly despite going over to Oklahoma.
nobody im more proud of than these 2.. yall took that feeling we were left w after this game, & used that to drive yall. 2 AM in indoor running routes after games . i love yall, my brothers for life pic.twitter.com/3FyYNDtufs
— Andrel Anthony Jr. (@andrel_jr) January 9, 2024
He started his career with the Sooners on the right note, with 27 catches for 429 yards, averaging nearly 16 yards per reception. As the leading receiver for Oklahoma, he also scored a touchdown before a leg injury in the Sooners’ win over Texas last season.
Throw it 5️⃣’s way! @andrel_jr | #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/CXA5a7TNNP
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) September 23, 2023
If Anthony is able to successfully come back from his injury, he could have a good year as OU enters the SEC.
Cade McNamara, QB, Iowa Hawkeyes
It seemed like Michigan fans would have nothing but appreciation for McNamara when he announced his decision to transfer to Iowa. While McNamara’s departure ended up a bit more dramatic than originally expected, he’s still a former Wolverine with big expectations on his new team.
In 2023, McNamara went down with a season-ending injury after completing 46-of-90 pass attempts for 505 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. He also took eight sacks in his first year with Iowa.
This season, the Hawkeyes have a new offensive coordinator in Tim Lester, so they hope their offense improves (it can’t get much worse, right?) Despite still recovering, McNamara is still expected to start.
Keon Sabb, DB, Alabama Crimson Tide
We’ve had some time to adjust to the other Wolverines not wearing maize and blue, but Sabb decided to transfer to Tuscaloosa. With the Wolverines last year, he made 28 tackles and had two interceptions.
It’ll be tough to watch Sabb play in the SEC, but there’s a reason new head coach Kalen DeBoer went after him in the offseason; Sabb had one heck of a game against Washington in the National Championship.
#Michigan transfer safety Keon Sabb had 4 forced incompletions against Washington in the playoffs.
Timing in coverage really stands out. Can also play up at the line of scrimmage on early downs.
Expect him to transfer to another blue blood program pic.twitter.com/mNoD2ZWlvT
— Clint Brewster (@clintbrew247) February 16, 2024
DJ Waller Jr, DB, Kentucky Wildcats
Waller announced his decision to enter the transfer portal this spring and eventually landed with Kentucky. He played in 11 games as a true freshman and was expected to compete for a starting role in the secondary this season.
Mark Stoops and his defense were ranked No. 43 in total defense last season . Yes, this one still stings since Michigan fans were excited about Waller ahead of 2024 and we expect him to have an impact at Kentucky right away.