As No. 1 ranked Michigan prepares for a Rose Bowl matchup with No.4 Alabama in the College Football Playoff Semifinal, one Wolverine announced that he was entering his name in to the transfer portal – becoming the first Michigan player to do so since the portal opened this month.
On Monday, sophomore running back CJ Stokes announced that he would be exploring other options in the portal.
The former three-star prospect out of South Carolina appeared in 11 games as a true freshman, including 10 games at running back.
During the 2022 season, Stokes rushed for 243 yards and one touchdown on 55 carries, earning his first varsity letter with the Wolverines.
His production decreased significantly in year two, with just eight yards on four carries through the 2023 season so far.
Rumors circulated on social media, suggesting that the confrontation turned physical, but University officials denied this claim.
The exact details of the altercation remain unclear, but it has heightened scrutiny around Howard, who has a history of losing his composure.
Howard, who underwent a heart procedure in September and has been sidelined for part of the season, faced disciplinary action in 2022 when he was suspended for five games and fined $40,000 for striking a Wisconsin assistantย basketballย coach.
Former Big Ten Conference commissionerย Kevin Warren emphasized the expectation for coaches and student-athletes to display the highest level of sportsmanship conduct, expressing hope that incidents like these would lead to reflection, learning, and a demonstration of decorum on and off the court.
Speculation about Howard’s potential departure from Michigan surfaced on social media following the recent altercation.