One step forward, one big body gone. Michigan has long had its eyes on 4-star IOL Zaden Krempin, and that persistence is paying off. On Friday afternoon, the 6-foot-5, 275-pound mauler out of Prosper, Texas, named the Wolverines in his top four. A big win for Sherrone Moore and O-line coach Grant Newsome, who’ve made Krempin a priority. But just as the maize and blue were riding high, a curveball hit. Michigan suffered a major blow in the portal, losing a 291-pound transfer target that could’ve bolstered the trenches…

Well, after 4 seasons in Ann Arbor, a veteran defensive tackle entered the portal, chasing more snaps and a bigger role. Meanwhile, even with stars Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham off to the NFL, Michigan didn’t flinch. The Wolverines reloaded fast — landing 2 SEC and ACC-tested beasts in Tre Williams (Clemson) and Damon Payne Jr. (Alabama). However, the plan? Plug them in and let them rotate with returning force, Rayshaun Benny. Honestly, the trenches are stacked, the battle is fierce — and Simmons is betting on a fresh start.

On May 20, a surprising twist hit Ann Arbor. Michigan defensive lineman Peter Simmons III is heading to UAB, per national CFB writer Chris Hummer. Simmons isn’t just any Wolverine — he’s legacy royalty. His Michigan bloodline runs all the way back to 1890. As a fourth-generation Maize and Blue warrior, he reached the pinnacle in 2023, helping the Wolverines claim a national title with a dominant 34-13 victory over Washington. Now, he takes his championship pedigree to Birmingham. A new chapter begins, but his Michigan roots run deep.

After capturing college football’s biggest prize, Peter Simmons III soaked in the moment. The fourth-generation Wolverine had waited his whole life for this. And when the confetti fell, his heart was full. “With all my family history, I grew up a huge Michigan fan and idolized those guys… and to be in that position now is truly insane, and so surreal that words can’t describe what I’m feeling, what this team is feeling, and what my family is feeling.” So, for Simmons, it was more than a win — it was a legacy fulfilled.

Now, Simmons III made it official — he’s taking his talents to UAB for his fifth season. A Michigan signee since 2021, Simmons had to wait patiently. Because game action was rare, with just one appearance last season against Northwestern. However, in high school, the Bishop Verot standout played both ways. But at Sherrone Moore’s Michigan, he focused on defensive tackle. Now, the move to UAB opens a fresh door. Simmons finally has a real shot to break into the rotation and make an impact on the field.

Now, while Moore lost a storied Wolverine legacy, another setback struck, facing pressure to rebuild the culture.

Sherrone Moore is feeling the heat

Let’s get this clear: Moore didn’t cause this chaos, but now he’s the one who has to fix it. Well, after Jim Harbaugh left for the NFL, he left behind a title and a mess, including the shadow of the Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal. However, Moore inherited all the heat, and now he’s taking some hits himself. He deleted 52 text messages with Stalions during the NCAA probe. Suspicious? Absolutely. But Michigan’s punishment? A light two-game suspension — more for show than real consequence. Now, Beating Central Michigan and Nebraska won’t erase the stain or keep playoff hopes alive. But experts say the NCAA isn’t done yet — bigger storms are brewing.

Here’s where it gets tricky. Michigan’s culture isn’t built on quick fixes. It’s old-school grit, loyalty, and homegrown development. Following that, Sherrone Moore isn’t diving headfirst into the portal like others, and that’s raising eyebrows. Some call it loyalty to tradition. Others call it risky.

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However, on the Locked On Wolverines podcast, Isaiah Hole summed it up best, stating, “I think that you can supplement, but I don’t think if you’re Michigan that you want to build your team out in that way… Michigan’s culture, A, is different. B, the way Michigan plays is different. And it requires a certain element of chemistry and development.” So, in a portal-driven era, Moore is walking a tightrope.

But Sherrone Moore believes in building from within — slow growth over quick fixes. Now, he’s dipped into the portal more than Michigan usually does, but he’s no SEC portal raider. Still, retention’s been rough. Tyler Morris? Gone to Indiana. Amorion Walker? Off to Tennessee. And Kechaun Bennett? Packed up after four years. So, the chemistry Moore is counting on, now fading fast.

Yes, he’s added 16 transfers to stop the bleeding — but the losses keep piling up. Right now, it feels more like patchwork than progress. Now, with so many losses — including Simmons III — the question is: Can Sherrone Moore still make a title run?