Former SEC Starter, Transfer Portal Addition Sends Message to Michigan Football After Surprise Decision

The Michigan football team won the ReliaQuest Bowl over the Alabama Crimson Tide on December 31, 2024 with a roster of backups, even while going up against a Crimson Tide team stacked with starters.

The victory put the Southeastern Conference (SEC) on notice leading to Michigan's offseason acquisition of six players who played in the league last season, a rarity in today's college football.

On Wednesday, news broke that one of those transfers did not make it to the Wolverines' preseason roster as training camp continued in Ann Arbor and speculation began to arise as to who would start at his position.

Luke Bauer, who punted for the SEC's Missouri Tigers last season, was noticeably absent from Michigan's roster, suggesting that ReliaQuest Bowl starter Hudson Hollenbeck will likely take the reins as Michigan's new punter heading into week one against the New Mexico Lobos at the Big House.

Bauer committed to the Wolverines this past spring through the transfer portal and was a two-year starter in Columbia, Missouri with the Tigers.

Bauer sent a message on social media about his decision to exit the Wolverines' program while sharing thoughts on his rooting interest ahead of the new season.

"(It) was a personal and family decision," Bauer said in a message on social media to MLive.com.

"Loved meeting the coaches and players. Moving on into the working world.

"Will be watching and rooting on Michigan this season," Bauer added.

His expected replacement Hollenbeck is a 6-foot-2, 206 pound punter and native of Collierville, Tennessee.

Hollenbeck showed immense promise last season with the Wolverines, punting six times for an average of 46.2 yards, including two punts downed inside Alabama's 20-yard-line during the ReliaQuest Bowl.