Can Michigan players transfer after Jim Harbaugh's exit? What you need to know

The coaching carousel has turned for Michigan, which has to replace Jim Harbaugh. How does this affect players who want to transfer?

Amid seemingly endless speculation around the fate of Jim Harbaugh, the now-former Michigan football coach has finally taken the plunge and returned to the NFL as the next coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.

Just weeks after winning its first national championship this century, now Michigan has to face a future full of dramatic roster turnover and a huge vacancy at the heart of the program as it sends out a search party for its next football coach.

What about Michigan's players? What are their options? While the college football transfer portal may be closed for everybody else, NCAA rules will make an exception for players who may be looking for a ticket out of Ann Arbor. Here's what you need to know.

How transfer rules apply to Michigan now

The college football transfer portal closed its winter window officially on Jan. 2, but that won't stop Michigan players from entering the portal if they want.

That's because of an NCAA rule that allows players whose head coach departed the program to add their names to the portal.

But it's for only up to 30 days after the coach leaves. 

Harbaugh retired on Jan. 24, meaning his players have until Feb. 23 to enter their names into the national database.

What about Michigan's recruits?

Players who committed to Michigan as part of the 2024 recruiting class can also depart the program. 

UM's early enrollees are currently students at the university, and they have the same ability to enter the transfer portal during this 30-day window.

But what about players who aren't enrolled? They have already signed their National Letter of Intent, but they're not yet technically students, so they can't just enter the transfer portal. They would have to be released from their NLI.

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