Defensive back Ja'Den McBurrows (1) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Former Michigan DB to be a big name on transfer portal

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Apr 14, 2025 11:31 PM ET

Ja'Den McBurrows has been in Ann Arbor for the past few seasons playing with the Michigan Wolverines.

He came aboard in 2021 and played in four games as a freshman. He missed the entirety of the 2022 season due to injury. He was part of the 2023 squad that won the College Football Playoff National Championship with Jim Harbaugh as their head coach. He stuck around in 2024 and was a part of Sherrone Moore's first season as the full-time head coach for the Wolverines, but he also dealt with more injuries and played in just four contests.

All that is to say that McBurrows, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been through a lot with the Wolverines since signing as a three-star in the class of 2021. He's apparently looking for a fresh start for 2025, though, because it's being reported that he's entering the transfer portal.

BREAKING: Michigan DB Ja’Den McBurrows plans to enter the Transfer Portal, he tells @on3sports

The 5’10 190 DB totaled 13 Tackles, 1 INT, & 2 PD in his time with the Wolverines

Will have 2 years of eligibility remaining https://t.co/z7H7JcgByp pic.twitter.com/FlwTX20cVU
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 14, 2025

McBurrows is going to be a very intriguing name on the transfer portal because of the experiences he accumulated in Ann Arbor. His main healthy season was in 2023 when the Wolverines won it all. He played in 11 games that season as a defensive back and on special teams. He played nickel corner against Iowa in Michigan's Big Ten championship game win and also against Washington in the CFP title game.

You can't coach that kind of experience, and as long as he's healthy, he projects to be a solid cornerback for his next team. Even better, he still has two years of eligibility remaining.

It will be interesting to see where McBurrows ends up.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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