It’s been a tough weekend for Michigan football, at least when it comes to attracting transfer portal wide receivers.
The Wolverines were projected to land Skyler Bell from UConn but on Saturday, Bell announced that was staying with the Huskies. That was a blow. However, there were some other promising targets on the board and one of them was former Yale wide receiver David Pantelis.
The 5-foot-11 slot receiver had over 1,000 yards for Yale last season. He also had over 1,700 yards in his career. Pantelis visited Michigan football recently and there was hope that the Wolverines would be able to land his commitment, but the Yale standout is headed for Stanford.
Maybe academics were more important to him or maybe he wanted to play in a more pass-friendly offense but the choice of Stanford is a little confusing. The Wolverines also missed out on the commitment of Fa’alili Fa’amoe, the second-ranked offensive tackle in the transfer portal who committed to Wake Forest.
The Wolverines did add an offensive line commitment on Sunday, Lawrence Hattar, plus, there are some other irons in the fire at wide receiver but it’s a little frustrating that the position still feels like such a weakness.
Other transfer portal WR options for Michigan football
Michigan football offered App State wideout Kaedin Robinson recently. The 6-foot-2 receiver caught 53 passes for 840 yards last season with two touchdown receptions. He would add another bigger body to the wide receiver room, as well as some much-needed playmaking. Robinson is ranked 31st among wide receivers and 143rd overall in the 247 Sports transfer portal rankings.
That would be a big pickup to go along with Donaven McCulley, formerly of Indiana. Former Clemson wideout Troy Stellato is another name to know. Michigan football is among three finalists for him along with Kentucky and West Virginia.
Yale wide receiver David Pantelis (@Davidpantelis11) has signed with Stanford, he tells @On3sports.
He has 1,778 career receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. Was also considering Missouri and Michigan.https://t.co/wMrfFrdlE6 pic.twitter.com/sLO1a1msXp
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) January 6, 2025
Stellato is 6-foot-1 and caught 25 passes for 269 yards this season for Clemson. He also had 38 receptions in 2023 for 321 yards. The former four-star recruit has battled injuries during his career but runs the 40 in 4.4 and would add another player with experience and production.
It has been frustrating to see the Wolverines miss on some key targets but if they could add Robinson and Stellato, the receiver room would be upgraded, even if it still wouldn’t have a No. 1 option a la Nico Collins.
