On December 11, Michigan’s first scholarship player entered the transfer portal. Sophomore running back CJ Stokes said that he would be placing his name into the portal, presumably with the hopes of going somewhere and getting more playing time.

When a player enters the portal, he or she is usually done playing with their current squad, regardless of where they are in the season. Stokes, on the other hand, stated on social media that he would be staying with the team through the College Football Playoff – despite still being in the transfer portal.

The Columbia (SC) native is a 5-foot-10 running back with three years of eligibility remaining. Stokes made an immediate impact with Michigan as a true freshman in 2022. During his rookie season, it appeared that Stokes would be the third running back behind Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards.

He appeared in 11 games and carried the ball 55 times for 273 yards and a touchdown. His playing time began to dwindle towards the end of ’22, allowing Kalel Mullings and then-walk-on Isaiah Gash to get more carries.

Stokes appeared in just two games this season, carrying the ball four times for eight yards.