Why John Henry Daley could be Michigan’s top transfer addition

[ASFN Admin]

While not many are talking about what Michigan football was able to do in the transfer portal, it got several key players who should help the Wolverines be better straight away. Whether it's nickel Smith Snowden, wide receivers JJ Buchanan and Jaime Ffrench, or safety Chris Bracy, there are instant impact players across the board.

But one other stands above the rest.

On3's Pete Nakos put together a list of the most impactful transfers across college football, and former Utah edge rusher John Henry Daley made his cut. Daley followed Kyle Whittingham to Ann Arbor, though he was highly courted by other top teams. And Nakos believes he can be a big-time player for the maize and blue this upcoming season.

Michigan EDGE John Henry Daley

Michigan is losing sack leaders Derrick Moore and Jaishawn Barham to the NFL draft, leaving a gaping hole in the pass rusher. Kyle Whittingham immediately addressed the need in the portal, landing an instant-impact player in Utah’s John Henry Daley. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound EDGE posted 48 total tackles, 11.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2025. The All-American will have two seasons of eligibility remaining and be fully recovered by the spring of 2026 from a foot injury.

The question for Daley is that foot injury situation, as he tore his Achilles to close out the 2025 season. However, if he does heal and is able to pick up where he left off, the Michigan defensive line could become that much more formidable -- especially with Lewis Powell now overseeing the edge rushers.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: John Henry Daley named among most impactful transfer additions

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