Michigan’s linebacker room is facing early offseason uncertainty as sophomore Cole Sullivan prepares to explore his options in the NCAA transfer portal.

Sullivan is entering the portal with two years of eligibility remaining, according to reporting from ESPN. College football insider Pete Thamel said Sullivan is expected to evaluate the market while still leaving the door open to a possible return to Michigan.

The move follows a season in which Sullivan’s role expanded significantly. He delivered production across the stat sheet, finishing with 44 total tackles, three interceptions, two sacks, and a forced fumble. His ability to affect games in multiple ways — from disrupting plays near the line to making plays in coverage — helped raise his profile as the year progressed.

Over the last two seasons, Sullivan appeared in 22 games for the Wolverines, progressing from a developing option to a defender capable of handling starting-level snaps. With remaining eligibility and proven output, he projects as a high-upside portal candidate at a premium defensive position.

Sullivan’s decision also lands during a shifting moment for the program. Michigan is navigating change at the top, with Kyle Whittingham now in charge. Sullivan said he met with Whittingham this week and came away encouraged by what he heard — while also acknowledging that his own path forward is still unsettled.

He was asked about the portal after the Citrus Bowl and indicated he hadn’t made a firm decision at the time, saying he was focused on the game and that each player has to make their own choice. Even now, the situation appears fluid: Sullivan is entering the portal, but not necessarily closing the chapter on Michigan.

A former four-star recruit out of Pittsburgh, Sullivan was ranked No. 289 nationally in the 2024 class by Rivals. That recruiting pedigree, paired with his 2025 production and remaining eligibility, is likely to draw interest quickly as the portal window moves into full swing.

For Michigan, the next few weeks will shape the linebacker rotation for 2026 — either with a return from one of its most productive young defenders, or by replacing a playmaker whose breakout season has now made him one of the most watched names in the portal.

Written by Swikriti

Related reading: Learn how the NCAA transfer process works and what “eligibility remaining” typically means for players.