Michigan football transfer portal loss carrying valuable lessons over to new team

This year’s Wolverines are likely the best that Jim Harbaugh has ever assembled as the head coach in Ann Arbor. That said, this plethora of talent and experience came at a cost for the Maize and Blue, with a lot of former fan favorites finding new homes over the offseason. One such player is Michigan football transfer portal loss Andrel Anthony, who is now turning heads with the Oklahoma Sooners. 

Michigan football transfer portal loss Andrel Anthony is carrying over some key lessons to his new team

As far back as spring ball, Andrel Anthony was turning heads in Big 12 country (which is soon to be SEC country). While Anthony had a good tenure with the Wolverines, this Michigan football transfer portal loss never truly had a breakout season, perhaps in part due to the Wolverines’ run-heavy offensive system. That said, so far, it’s clear that the Oklahoma Sooners are excited to have him.

“I (want to be) the ultimate teammate (at Oklahoma),” said the Michigan football transfer portal loss during fall camp, per Sports Illustrated. “Just whatever the team needs, really … I’m definitely (smarter), and more comfortable (than he was in the spring), I would say.”

Andrel Anothony may not have seen a ton of big game reps in the Marize and Blue, but the Oklahoma Sooners are very aware of his Big Ten title game and College Football Playoff experience heading into the 2023 season.

“I feel like (his big game experience) really set the standard of where I want to be at every year. The coaches and the players (at Michigan football) really emphasize that — ‘we (want to) to win the Big Ten/Big 12, we want to go to the playoffs.’ Just knowing how good that feels, to be in that situation, it’s amazing — and to be able to go to the national championship; that’s why I am here.”

The Oklahoma Sooners coaching staff wants Andrel Anthony to be as versatile as possible — something that he compares to what the Michigan football coaching staff asked of him in previous seasons.

“(Michigan football) tried to make us be more versatile as well,” Anthony said when asked about his transition from Michigan to Oklahoma. While Anthony looks more like an outside wideout, the Sooners are not limiting him to inside or outside alone; they want him to play all over.

Oklahoma will likely be a much better fit for Anthony’s skill set

Andrel Anthony left the Michigan football program via the transfer portal a few months after the season ended. Since then, he has been putting in work with the Sooners throughout spring ball and fall camp, leading to exponential growth for the young wide receiver.

“I’d say just being more comfortable with knowing the game and using my strengths to manipulate defensive backs. They know I can run, but being able to sit down and be able to stop … being overall more complete.”

The Wolverines don’t exactly have an offense that benefits players like Andrel Anthony, who is a fast and explosive wide receiver with a lot of length. So, what is his favorite part about the Oklahoma Sooners’ offensive system?

“The opportunity, the fast pace, and the trust that the coaches have in us players to run 80-something plays a game,” Anthony said. “We get an explosive play, we’re already lined up for the next play — it’s a deep shot, for instance. The trust is really a huge thing.”

So, why transfer from Michigan football to Oklahoma?

“The opportunity,” Andrel Anthony explained. “… the type of offense that (OU runs), that’s what I was looking for. It’s huge — it’s like a perfect picture (for him).”