Michigan just picked up a serious piece for its offense.
Former Utah tight end JJ Buchanan has officially committed to the Wolverines out of the transfer portal, giving Kyle Whittingham and his staff a proven, high-upside playmaker at a position that was becoming a clear need.
BREAKING: Utah transfer WR/TE JJ Buchanan has Committed to Michigan, his agent tells @On3sports
He totaled 26 catches for 427 yards and 5 TDs in 2025
Among freshmen P4 WRs and TEs, he ranked 5th in TDs, 5th in YPC, and 1st in contested catcheshttps://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/5gr7yICwYS
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 12, 2026
Buchanan, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound native of Henderson, Nevada, arrived at Utah as a highly regarded four-star recruit in the 2025 class and wasted no time making an impact. As a true freshman, he appeared in all 13 games for the Utes, hauling in 26 receptions for 427 yards and five touchdowns, impressive production for a first-year player adjusting to the college game.
What makes this addition even more intriguing is Buchanan’s familiarity with Michigan’s head coach. He now reunites with Kyle Whittingham in Ann Arbor, giving the Wolverines a tight end who already understands the expectations, culture, and demands of a championship-level program.
From a football standpoint, this is a big win. Buchanan brings size, athleticism, and red-zone ability, and he’s already shown he can be a reliable target against Power Five competition. With Michigan looking to reload offensively and give its quarterbacks more dependable options over the middle of the field, Buchanan steps into a role that could grow quickly.
In short, Michigan didn’t just add depth; it added a young, talented tight end with legitimate breakout potential.
Jeff Bilbrey
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