Redshirt junior running back Tru Wilson announced Thursday that he will pursue a graduate transfer.
“I appreciate everything the University of Michigan has done for me these last 4 years,” Wilson said in a tweet. “I will graduate in the spring and will transfer to finish my last year of college football. God bless and Forever Go Blue.”
Wilson’s news doesn’t come as a major surprise given that he was already the third-string running back this year and the room doesn’t get any less crowded with the return of Chris Evans and the addition of a highly regarded freshman in Blake Corum.
Formerly a walk-on, Wilson earned a scholarship prior to the 2018 season and carved out a complementary role for himself. In 2018, he was third on the team with 364 rushing yards and led all players with at least 15 attempts at 5.9 yards per carry. Despite missing two games due to injury in 2019, Wilson was again third on the team with 220 rushing yards and averaged 5.0 yards per carry — second among players with at least 15 carries. Wilson also scored two touchdowns in his Michigan career, with one in each 2018 and 2019.
Despite Wilson’s loss, the running back room still projects to be deep next year. Freshman Zach Charbonnet and redshirt freshman Hassan Haskins, who split time at the position in 2019, will both be back. Evans — who was the Wolverines’ second-leading rusher in 2018 but missed the 2019 season due to a suspension — has been reinstated for the 2020 season and will be a fifth-year senior. Corum is a four-star recruit and could push for playing time right away. Additionally, Michigan has redshirt freshman Christian Turner, who played a reserve role in 2019, and freshman Giles Jackson, who has been used as an H-back.
Wilson, who played in one game during his freshman season in 2016, was granted a medical redshirt for a fifth year of eligibility. As a grad transfer, he will be immediately eligible wherever he goes.