Michigan had its first scholarship player access the transfer portal back on December 11. CJ Stokes, a sophomore running back, declared he would be putting his name into the portal in the hopes of moving somewhere and getting more playing time.

Regardless of the team’s standing in the standings, most players are finished playing for their current squad when they log into the portal.

However, Stokes surprised several people by revealing on social media that he would be sticking with the team through the College Football Playoffs, even though he would still be accessible through the transfer portal.

There are three more years for the Columbia, South Carolina, 5-foot-10 running back to be eligible. During his true freshman season in 2022 with Michigan, Stokes had an immediate impact. During his rookie season, it appeared as though Stokes would be the third running back behind Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards.

He carried the ball 55 times for 273 yards and a score in 11 games. By the end of ’22, his playing time was starting to dwindle as Isaiah Gash and Kalel Mullings, a walk-on at the time, gained more carries.

Stokes played in just two games this season, but he gained eight yards on four ball carries.