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Michigan lands transfer portal QB who played in the Big House this year


Michigan lands transfer portal QB who played in the Big House this year

Mikey Keene suited up to play Michigan four months ago. Now he's headed to Ann Arbor.

The Fresno State quarterback and honorable mention all-Mountain West selection announced his commitment to the Wolverines on Monday, ending Michigan's quest for an experienced signal caller two days before Christmas.

Keene, who has one year of college eligibility remaining, entered the NCAA transfer portal on Dec. 3. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound quarterback coming off a pair of productive seasons at Fresno State, where he threw for more than 5,800 yards and 42 touchdowns, with 21 interceptions.

This year, he completed more than 70 percent of his passes for 2,892 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Bulldogs, who are 6-6 and set to play Northern Illinois in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl today. Against Michigan on Aug. 31, Keene finished 22 of 36 for 235 yards and a touchdown while throwing two interceptions in a 30-10 loss.

Keene was the third quarterback that Michigan reportedly kicked the tires with during this transfer portal cycle. Maryland's Billy Edwards Jr. canceled a planned visit to Ann Arbor earlier this month and committed to Wisconsin, while Baylor's Dequan Finn, a Detroit native and former star at Toledo, recently visited Michigan.

As for Keene, Michigan will mark his third school in the era of college transfers. He spent his first two years at Central Florida, where he was coached by Michigan's new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Chip Lindsey, his sophomore year. While he didn't play much in 2022, opting to redshirt that year, Keene threw for 1,730 yards and 17 touchdowns as a true freshman at UCF in '21.

The Chandler, Ariz., native will presumably come in and challenge true freshman Bryce Underwood, a five-star prospect and the No. 1-ranked recruit in the country, for the starting quarterback job in 2025. Michigan's current starter, Davis Warren, has not yet said whether he plans to return next year.

Earlier this month, Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said he was looking for experience to help round out the quarterback room, a group that currently includes a redshirt freshman (Jadyn Davis) and second true freshman (Chase Herbstreit).

"A guy that's going to be a great leader, great teammate -- and obviously have the ability to play," Moore said. "Got to be a great fit. That's got to be the No. 1 piece."

Keene is the seventh player from the transfer portal to land at Michigan since the end of the regular season, joining two other offensive players: Indiana receiver Donaven McCulley and Cal Poly offensive tackle Brady Norton.

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