Michigan has lost a scholarship quarterback to the transfer portal twice in less than a month.
A team spokesperson confirmed to MLive that Alan Bowman entered his name into the NCAA-organized database on Thursday. Bowman played reserve signal calling for Ann Arbor for two seasons.
According to a source with knowledge of the move, Bowman intends to “stay with the team until the end of the season.” This leaves the possibility open for him to participate in the College Football Playoff semifinal matchup in the Fiesta Bowl on December 31 against Texas Christian.
High school recruits and potential transfers can sign their National Letters of Intent for 2023 during the early signing period, which begins on Wednesday, December 21.
Prior to the 2021 season, Bowman, a Texas Tech transfer, did not get much playing time with the Wolverines. He’s shown up in two seasons, customarily late in disproportionate games, and consistently ended up covered on the quarterback profundity graph.
From 2018 to 2020, Bowman, a native of Grapevine, Texas, started 16 games at Texas Tech and threw for more than 5,000 yards and 33 touchdowns. He hoped that would carry over to Michigan, but he got caught in the quarterback competition between Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy, two well-known recruits for Michigan who each claimed the starting position for a year.
Bowman never made it past No. 3 in 2021, and this year, when McNamara was injured, he split the reps as the backup. He will still be eligible for one year.
In the mean time, Michigan (13-0) presently enters the season finisher without two experienced quarterbacks after McNamara entered the entryway in the days paving the way to the Huge Ten title game. Since then, he has indicated plans to transfer to Iowa.
Davis Warren, a former walk-on, will likely serve as a backup for McCarthy, the Wolverines’ true starter. Alex Orji, a true freshman, and Jayden Denegal, a true freshman, are Michigan’s two other scholarship players who have limited college experience.
Since the end of the regular season, five Michigan players have entered the transfer portal, including defensive lineman George Rooks, tight ends Erick All and Louis Hansen, and McNamara.
