Michigan defender commits to rival Big Ten foe

Trent Knoop | Jan 6, 2025

Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

It wasn't easy for former Michigan Edge defender Breeon Ishmail to find the field as a Wolverine. The former three-star recruit out of Cincinnati (OH) came to the maize and blue as the 1,110th-ranked recruit in the 2023 cycle. Ishmail was mainly a special teams player while seeing the field a few snaps on defense.

But after two seasons, he opted to enter the portal to find a place where he could have a more prominent role. On Monday, 247Sports' Chris Hummer reported that Ishmail was staying in the Big Ten Conference and heading to Purdue.

Michigan edge transfer Breeon Ishmail is expected to transfer to Purdue, @mzenitz and I have learned for @247Sports.

He posted 3 tackles this season as a redshirt freshman. https://t.co/6qe0bJleld pic.twitter.com/Jzv2aIqfur
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) January 6, 2025

Ishmail didn't see the field at all during his freshman season. But this year, he played in seven games and saw special teams action. He played in a total of 72 snaps throughout the 2024 campaign.

The Boilermakers fired Ryan Walters as their head coach and hired UNLV's Barry Odom to take over. Ishmail will get a fresh start with Odom taking over the controls at Purdue.

Michigan is likely getting both Derrick Moore and TJ Guy back next season to start at the Edge position. The Wolverines have been very deep there the last several years and that shouldn't change in 2025.

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