Michigan has been busy in the transfer portal, trying to shore up its defensive secondary, and on Friday afternoon, the Wolverines added a third defensive back in two days.

Safety Jaden Mangham, the Birmingham Groves grad who played the last two seasons at Michigan State, entered the portal in April and was considering Ohio State and Nebraska before announcing his commitment to Michigan. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Mangham was an All-Big Ten honorable mention last season after leading MSU with four interceptions. He also had 53 tackles, including one for a loss.

Michigan also got a commitment Friday morning from safety Wesley Walker, who spent the last two seasons at Tennessee and the three before that at Georgia Tech. Cornerback Aamir Hall, who most recently played at Albany, a Football Championship Subdivision (FBS) program, announced his commitment Thursday night.

Mangham started 12 of his 20 games in the last two seasons, including 10 in 2023. Mangham also had three pass breakups. His 606 snaps on defense made him one of the four most-utilized defensive players on Michigan State’s team last season.

He was first team on The Detroit News Dream Team and a four-star recruit. During his freshman season at MSU, he played in nine games, made two starts and had 20 tackles.

Michigan has been looking to increase the depth at safety, after the knee injury to Rod Moore suffered early in spring practice and the transfer of Keon Sabb.

Wolverines add more experienced transfers to secondary

Prior to Mangham’s commitment, the Wolverines added two more defensive backs from the transfer portal in two days.

Safety Wesley Walker has transferred to Michigan, he announced Friday morning on social media. Walker (6-foot-1, 200 pounds) spent the last two seasons at Tennessee and the three before that at Georgia Tech. This will be Walker’s sixth season and final year of eligibility.

“Finish The Mission,” Walker posted on social media above a photo edit of him in a Michigan uniform.

Michigan added cornerback Aamir Hall, who most recently played at Albany, a Football Championship Subdivision program, on Thursday night.

Last season at Tennessee, Walker started the first 10 games before missing the final two because of an injury. He was fourth on the team with 53 tackles. During his career, including Georgia Tech, he has 185 tackles, including 11 for loss and two sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles.

Walker had initially committed to Ole Miss but then transferred to Louisville in January. He re-entered the transfer portal in April. Michigan is lean at safety with the knee injury to Rod Moore suffered early in spring practice and the transfer of Keon Sabb. Walker will compete for playing time with Makari Paige, Zeke Berry, and Quinten Johnson.

Hall, a 6-foot-1, 201-pounder from Baltimore was an FCS All-American last season. Hall played for Richmond before joining Albany for the 2023 season in which he had 63 tackles and five interceptions.

Michigan has a need at corner considering D.J. Waller’s departure to Kentucky and is looking for a starter to play opposite Will Johnson.

Also in the cornerback room are Jyaire Hill, Ja’Den McBurrows, Myles Pollard, and Keshaun Harris. In 2021 at Richmond, Hall started 11 games and finished with 60 tackles, an interception and 13 pass breakups. In 2022 he played in nine games and had an interception and forced fumble.