The Wolverines could be down significantly for the Citrus Bowl.
Michigan’s Biff Poggi warns up to 25 players may not return after Christmas break originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Michigan interim head coach Biff Poggi said this week that the Wolverines could be facing a dramatically reduced roster for the Citrus Bowl due to players opting out. He acknowledged that as many as 25 players may not return after Christmas break.
During an interview with The Stampede, Poggi said uncertainty surrounding the program has created a growing risk of additional opt-outs ahead of Michigan’s Dec. 31 matchup with Texas. The Wolverines were already set to be without defensive end Derrick Moore, linebacker Jaishawn Barham and offensive lineman Giovanni El-Hadi, all of whom have opted out of the bowl.
Michigan sent players home for the holidays Monday, and Poggi said conversations with families and representatives could lead others to stay away as well.
“We don’t have a coach, there’s investigations, all these things,” Poggi said. “I don’t know who’s going to coach me. Why do I want to play in that game?”
The uncertainty stems from the Dec. 10 firing of head coach Sherrone Moore, an ongoing investigation into the athletic department and a stalled coaching search. Poggi also said athletic director Warde Manuel has paused financial agreements until a permanent head coach is hired, further complicating retention with the transfer portal set to open Jan. 2.
Michigan is scheduled to reconvene and travel to Orlando on Friday, but Poggi acknowledged he remains unsure who will ultimately suit up.
“We’re coming, and we will play hard,” he said. “I don’t know how many we’ll come with, quite frankly, but we’ll give it our all.”
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