Michigan football LB Cole Sullivan reportedly transferring to Oklahoma

Key Highlights

• Many believed he was expected to be a starter should he have returned in 2026. Sullivan, who stands at 6 feet 3, 230 pounds, is from Pittsburgh and was identified by coaches over the summer as someone who was moving his way up the depth chart.
• Early in the season, it was clear the Wolverines weren't getting enough pressure on the quarterback with their defensive line, so they moved Jaishawn Barham (who's since declared for the NFL draft) to edge almost full time. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWHO'S BACK: Michigan football players returning for 2026 under Kyle WhittinghamA major reason they felt comfortable doing so was because that opened up more snaps for Sullivan. He met with reporters following the team's 41-27 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl loss to Texas after he recorded a career-high six tackles and was non-committal about his future, saying he liked what he heard from the new staff but implied he intended to keep his options open.“I had a great meeting with coach Whittingham,” Sullivan said.
• “I really like him and what he’s bringing to this team and this program.
• As far as my future is concerned, it’s hard to say.
• There are too many uncertainties at this point, but I love this University.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMichigan has an almost entirely new defensive staff with defensive line coach Lou Esposito the lone holdover from the previous regime.