The Wolverines received a significant boost to their defensive lineup on Saturday when defensive tackle Enow Etta announced his decision to withdraw from the transfer portal and return to the University of Michigan for the upcoming season.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 320 pounds, Etta has been a part of the Wolverines’ roster since the 2023 season, having come in as a highly-regarded four-star recruit from Texas. After spending his true freshman year redshirting, Etta made his mark in 2024 by appearing in 10 games, registering four tackles, half a sack, and a pass breakup over the course of 86 snaps.
His performances improved in the following season, where he participated in 13 games and saw an increase in playing time, totaling 295 snaps. Etta recorded 15 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, an additional half sack, seven quarterback hits, and another pass breakup in 2025, showcasing his development and importance to the Wolverines’ defensive strategy.
With key defensive players such as Derrick Moore, T.J. Guy, Jaishawn Barham, Rayshaun Benny, Damon Payne Jr., Tre Williams, and Devon Baxter leaving the team this offseason, Wolverine head coach Kyle Whittingham recognized the critical need to retain experienced players like Etta. In addition to bringing in All-American pass rusher John Henry Daley from the portal, the return of Etta adds valuable depth to Michigan’s interior defense.
Etta joins a growing list of Wolverines who have opted to withdraw their names from the transfer portal, including cornerback Zeke Berry, offensive linemen Andrew Sprague and Jake Guarnera, safety Jordan Young, and special teams standout Logan Forbes. This trend highlights a renewed commitment among Michigan players to further their careers with the program and contribute to its future success.