Michigan Football Faces Depth Shift as Linebacker Jason Hewlett Enters Transfer Portal
April 13, 2025
While much of the offseason attention has been centered on the college basketball transfer portal, the world of college football is beginning to make its own headlines. One of the latest developments comes out of Ann Arbor, where the Michigan Wolverines are once again dealing with the fluid dynamics of roster management. Linebacker Jason Hewlett, a member of Michigan’s 2023 recruiting class, has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal, as confirmed by his agency on Saturday.
Though the news might not have sent shockwaves through the program, Hewlett’s decision marks yet another chapter in the ever-evolving story of Michigan’s defense as it reloads after a historic 2024 campaign.
Who Is Jason Hewlett?
Jason Hewlett arrived at Michigan as a four-star recruit with high expectations. Hailing from Youngstown, Ohio, Hewlett was touted for his versatility, athleticism, and high football IQ. As a high school senior, he lined up at multiple positions on defense and offense, catching the attention of top programs across the country. Ultimately, he chose Michigan, drawn to its tradition of developing elite defensive talent.
During the 2024 season—his sophomore year—Hewlett appeared in nine games, contributing both on special teams and briefly as a linebacker. According to Michigan’s official athletic site, MGoBlue.com, Hewlett:
- Earned his first varsity letter
- Made three total tackles
- Was named Scout Team Defensive Player of the Week for his role preparing the offense for Fresno State
- Saw game action against prominent opponents such as Texas, Michigan State, Oregon, and Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl
Despite these contributions, Hewlett found himself buried on a deep and talented linebacker depth chart.
Michigan’s Loaded Linebacker Room
The linebacker position is one of Michigan’s strongest units heading into the 2025 season. With returning veterans like Jaishawn Barham and Ernest Hausmann already established as starters, opportunities for younger or less-experienced players have been limited. Barham, a physical force with sideline-to-sideline speed, transferred from Maryland and quickly became a fixture in the Wolverines’ defense. Hausmann, a Nebraska transfer, showed strong instincts and consistency throughout the 2024 season.
Beyond the returning starters, Michigan has added even more competition. Troy Bowles, a highly touted transfer from Georgia, brings SEC experience and elite-level talent. Meanwhile, rising prospects like Cole Sullivan and Jimmy Rolder continue to make noise in spring practices, further complicating Hewlett’s path to significant playing time.
Why the Transfer Makes Sense
From an outside perspective, Hewlett’s decision to enter the portal is logical. With just three career tackles and minimal defensive snaps through two seasons, he’s searching for a program where he can have a larger role and a clearer path to development.
He enters the portal with three years of eligibility remaining—a valuable asset for any program seeking a developmental linebacker with Power Five experience and high upside. Given his high school pedigree and Michigan’s elite training environment, Hewlett will likely be a hot commodity in the portal.
The Transfer Portal and Michigan’s New Reality
Hewlett’s departure is part of a broader shift in the college football landscape. The NCAA transfer portal has transformed roster construction across the country. For top-tier programs like Michigan, it’s a double-edged sword: while it allows for quick talent acquisition (as seen with Bowles and Barham), it also means managing constant attrition, especially among talented backups.
Michigan, under the leadership of head coach Sherrone Moore, has embraced this new reality. The coaching staff has consistently brought in high-caliber recruits while supplementing the roster with strategic transfers. That approach helped the Wolverines navigate the 2024 season with one of the top defenses in the nation—a unit that played a key role in their deep postseason run.
Still, attrition like Hewlett’s is inevitable. As the Wolverines continue to recruit at a high level, players who don’t see immediate opportunities will understandably explore options where they can take the field sooner.
Potential Landing Spots for Hewlett
Hewlett’s blend of athleticism, size, and special teams experience makes him an intriguing pickup for a number of programs. Group of Five schools looking to bolster their linebacker corps will undoubtedly show interest. Additionally, Power Five teams in need of depth or looking to develop long-term talent may also come calling.
Programs in the Big 12, ACC, or even the Big Ten West could offer Hewlett the opportunity to compete for immediate playing time while staying in a familiar geographic region.
How This Affects Michigan Moving Forward
From a depth standpoint, the Wolverines are unlikely to feel Hewlett’s absence in 2025. The linebacker room remains stacked, and the coaching staff is confident in its younger talent. However, every transfer matters in the long-term calculus. Losing a player like Hewlett, who was once viewed as a potential contributor, speaks to the hyper-competitive nature of Michigan’s current roster.
It also places more pressure on Michigan’s coaching staff to keep developing talent at all levels—not just the starters. Injuries and unexpected departures can rapidly test a team’s depth, particularly during the grueling Big Ten slate.
In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on Michigan’s spring practices, as fans and analysts assess who will step up in the linebacker rotation. Players like Cole Sullivan and Jimmy Rolder now have a clearer path to climb the depth chart, and incoming freshmen will also be closely monitored.
Final Thoughts
Jason Hewlett’s transfer isn’t necessarily headline-dominating news in a college football offseason filled with quarterback controversies and coaching changes. But it’s a reminder of the micro-movements that shape a program’s identity over time.
For Michigan, it underscores the importance of roster management in the age of the portal. For Hewlett, it represents a chance at a fresh start—a new environment, a bigger role, and an opportunity to show the college football world what made him a four-star prospect in the first place.
As college football continues to evolve, stories like Hewlett’s will become more common. The challenge for players and programs alike is turning these transitions into opportunities for growth, development, and ultimately, success on the field.
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