Former Michigan Wolverines quarterback Jadyn Davis has officially committed to East Tennessee State University, as reported by On3’s Pete Nakos. Davis, who retains three years of eligibility, seeks a fresh start after a limited role with the Wolverines. His move to East Tennessee State marks a significant change for the highly-rated prospect, who was once a four-star recruit.
Davis spent two seasons with the Michigan program. During his freshman year in 2024, he participated in only one game. The following season, his involvement increased slightly to three games, where he attempted two passes, one resulting in an interception. These limited opportunities likely influenced his decision to explore other options through the transfer portal.
A standout player at Providence Day (NC) in high school, Davis was recognized as the No. 106 overall player and the No. 8 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Rankings. Despite his promising high school career, he struggled to secure a prominent role in Michigan's offense.
His decision to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal on December 16 came shortly after Michigan's head coach, Sherrone Moore, was dismissed. At the time of his commitment to ETSU, Davis was ranked as the No. 55 quarterback in On3’s 2026 Transfer Portal Player Rankings.
Michigan's subsequent hiring of Kyle Whittingham to replace Moore, coupled with the return of starting quarterback Bryce Underwood for the 2026 season and the addition of two new quarterbacks via the transfer portal, suggested that Davis's playing time would remain restricted. Whittingham, who previously led Utah to a 177-88 record and three conference championships from 2005-25, faces the task of elevating Michigan football back to national prominence.
Whittingham has articulated clear expectations for the program: achieving playoff contention and securing the Big Ten championship. He emphasized that a 10-win season is typically a strong indicator for playoff qualification, especially with the anticipated expansion of the playoff format. Michigan concluded the past season with a 9-4 overall record and a 7-2 conference record, having not reached the College Football Playoff in the last two seasons since their national title win in 2023.
Jadyn Davis's transfer to East Tennessee State represents a new chapter in his collegiate football journey. His decision was influenced by the competitive quarterback situation at Michigan and the coaching transition within the program. This move highlights the dynamic nature of college football transfers, where players often seek environments that offer greater opportunities for development and playing time.