Jim Harbaugh expects Eyabi Anoma to play in Week 1
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan football surprised many in the college football world earlier this month when it was announced that the Wolverines brought in former college journeyman Eyabi Anoma as a graduate transfer.
The maize and blue were heavily involved in Anoma’s recruitment, but the five-star and top edge rusher in the 2018 class, ultimately picked Alabama as his destination of choice. However, he was dismissed from the team after his freshman campaign, and transferred to Houston, where he didn’t make it a full season, as he was also dismissed from the team. He transferred to UT-Martin, where he finally got a chance to play in 2021, and posted six sacks once he finally was able to get going.
On Monday, Harbaugh finally spoke about Anoma having joined the program, noting that he does expect him to get some playing time right out fo the gates in Week 1.
“Eyabi Anoma has been practicing with the team for about 10 days, 12 days — something like that,” Harbaugh said. “He’s been really good. He’s been a great teammate and look forward to seeing what he can do this coming season.
“He’ll hopefully be playing right away in the first game. Showed some outstanding assets he can bring to the team.”
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Generally, Michigan has shied away from players who have checkered pasts, as Anoma appears to have. However, given that the Wolverines have several players from the same high school — Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy — as well as his former head coach in Biff Poggi, the assistant head coach in Ann Arbor, Harbaugh says he feels good that there won’t be any issues.
“Eyabi graduated from Tennessee-Martin. A very easy process in talking to his former teammates who are on our team,” Harbaugh said. “Eyabi is somebody we recruited, I recruited, right out of high school and always felt like we finished second in that. I’ve always really enjoyed being around Eyabi. I’m not aware of the vague off-field issues that you refer to. But, as it stands now, he’s a college graduate, really vouched for by his teammates and is just a great guy to be around on a day-to-day basis.
“No man knows the future, but I think it looks very good and bright for Eyabi.”
Fans will get their first opportunity to see Anoma in action on Saturday when the Wolverines host the Colorado State Rams at The Big House. Kickoff will be at noon EDT and the game will be broadcast nationally on ABC.
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