A Michigan star flips to Oklahoma, leaving a defensive void and a dramatic reunion scheduled for next season.
The shifting sands of the college football landscape have once again left a mark on Ann Arbor. In a surprising move that affects both the Big Ten and the SEC, sophomore linebacker Cole Sullivan officially committed to Oklahoma on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. After a breakout season that saw him emerge as the heartbeat of the Michigan defense, Sullivan’s departure via the transfer portal represents the first major roster hurdle for new head coach Kyle Whittingham.
For Michigan fans, the news is a stinging reminder of the volatility inherent in coaching transitions. Sullivan, a Pittsburgh native who stayed loyal through the departure of Jim Harbaugh and the brief tenure of Sherrone Moore, finally found a reason to look elsewhere following the program’s recent coaching overhaul. In Norman, he finds a defensive guru in Brent Venables; in Ann Arbor, he leaves behind a cavernous hole in the middle of the field.
The Rise of a Star
To understand what Michigan is losing, one only needs to look at the 2025 tape. Sullivan wasn’t just a starter; he was a playmaker with a nose for the football that evoked memories of Michigan greats past. After a quiet freshman year spent primarily on special teams, Sullivan exploded as a sophomore, tallying:
- 44 total tackles (with a season-high 7 in the Citrus Bowl against Texas).
- 5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.
- 3 interceptions, displaying rare coverage range for a 6'3", 230-pounder.
- 3-time Michigan Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Sullivan was the "Swiss Army Knife" for former coordinator Wink Martindale, capable of dropping into a deep zone or blitzing the ‘A’ gap with equal efficiency. His performance in a Week 2 loss to Oklahoma—where he recorded a sack and a fumble recovery—clearly left an impression on the Sooners' staff.
What This Means for Michigan’s Defense
The departure of Sullivan, alongside the graduation of veteran leaders like Jaishawn Barham and Ernest Hausmann, leaves the Wolverines' linebacker room precariously thin.
As Coach Whittingham and defensive coordinator Jay Hill begin their tenure, the "MIKE" and "WILL" positions have shifted from areas of strength to major question marks. The current outlook for the 2026 season now rests on a few key pillars:
- The Rise of Jimmy Rolder: Now a senior, Rolder becomes the undisputed leader of the unit. He has the size and experience, but he will be asked to carry a much heavier load in terms of communication and sideline-to-sideline pursuit.
- The Youth Movement: Michigan will need immediate contributions from sophomores like Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng and Chase Taylor. Both were highly-touted recruits, but expecting them to replicate Sullivan’s 44 tackles and three interceptions in their first year of heavy action is a tall order.
- The Portal Reversal: Expect Whittingham to be aggressive in the remaining days of the January portal window. Michigan is no longer just looking for "depth"; they are looking for a starter.
Looking Ahead to September 12, 2026
In a twist of fate that only college football can provide, Michigan won't have to wait long to see their former star. The Sooners are scheduled to visit the Big House on September 12, 2026.
Cole Sullivan will walk into Michigan Stadium wearing Crimson and Cream, likely staring across the line of scrimmage at the teammates he shared a locker room with just weeks ago. For Oklahoma, Sullivan is the "missing piece" for a defense looking to contend in the SEC. For Michigan, he is the one that got away—a symbol of the challenges Whittingham faces in rebuilding a championship culture in a new era of player movement.
The Wolverines still have the "Block M" and a winning tradition, but losing a talent like Sullivan proves that in 2026, no roster is safe.