Sherrone Moore is adding transfers and returning talent to shake up the depth chart. Alabama transfers Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall are expected to lead the backfield, while junior Bryson Kuzdzal and sophomore Micah Ka’apana battle for the third spot. Further adding to the mix is grad transfer John Volker from Princeton, making competition for carries fiercer than ever on campus.
Amidst this crowded backfield, CJ Hester, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound running back who transferred from UMass after beginning his career at Western Michigan, has made a tough decision about his future. Last season, Hester showed glimpses of his ability with 119 carries for 529 yards and four touchdowns at UMass, and in 2024, he contributed 74 rushing yards against Georgia. Despite his talent, he did not participate in Michigan’s spring camp as the depth chart solidified around other backs.
Michigan RB CJ Hester has left the Wolverines program, his agent @ZCardenez tells @On3sports.
The former UMass & Western Michigan transfer will redshirt this season and enter the transfer portal with 2 years of eligibility as a grad transfer. He’s rushed for 661 career yards,… pic.twitter.com/JF9H3xqQPG
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) August 7, 2025
Now, Hester’s agent has confirmed he will redshirt the upcoming season and enter the transfer portal as a grad transfer, with two years of eligibility remaining. The decision comes as Michigan’s revamped backfield offers limited snaps, pushing Hester to seek new opportunities to showcase his skills. Reflecting on Michigan’s recruiting process, Hester’s father, Clarence, said, “It was genuine. Usually when you go through this recruitment process, you find out people aren’t genuine. They use a used car salesman type of pitch. This was not the case. It was genuine. It was straightforward. There was honesty in the room. You appreciate that those are the type of men my son is going to be around. We loved it.”
This candid appreciation highlights the respect and honesty that defined Hester’s time with the Wolverines, even as he prepares for a new chapter elsewhere. But at the same time, it also makes the reason for his transfer more intriguing. Why, even after such a heartfelt pitch by Sherrone Moore, did Hester take such a step? Only Hester can tell.
This is a developing story…
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