Michigan OL Dan Samuelson Plans to Transfer

On Saturday morning, Michigan redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Dan Samuelson (Plymouth, IN) posted on his Facebook account that he plans to transfer from Michigan. Here is what Samuelson posted:

With great sadness, I have decided that my time at the University of Michigan is done. The past couple years have been wonderful, and something that I will never forget. I am beyond blessed for them. As time has come and gone, I've thought about what is best for myself in regards to football and obtaining the goal of playing time. In reality, that wasn't going to happen at Michigan. I will be transferring to another school after doing much research and talking with my parents.

This has been incredibly tough to make this decision. Many emotions have been running through my mind. I truly embrace the MANY relationships I formed over these past years and I will continue to do so. For the many families I have come to know and love; I would love to come and see you all. Please get ahold of me and we can set up a time. This by no means means goodbye. To my teammates; I love you all and you are my brothers. You are about to embark on a very awesome journey under this new coaching staff. Enjoy the success that will come with it! I will be watching. Thank you to everyone that has shown so much support and love to me during the whole process. I am loved.

While it is hard to leave this chapter in my life, I'm also very excited and know that this is what God has planned for me. It is a leap of faith, not knowing what is ahead of me, but I am walking in the faith that I trust in.

Thank you again to everyone that has supported me this far, I ask that you pray for whatever is ahead of me, and to let this be as easy as possible. Here we go!

Samuelson was a three-star prospect that decommitted from Nebraska late in the 2013 recruiting cycle to join the Wolverines. He had not seen any playing time in his two seasons in Ann Arbor, and it seemed he had not cracked the two-deep entering the 2015 season. Given his comments, it appears that is his reason for his decision to transfer.

Samuelson is the third of a six-man offensive line class in 2013 that no longer will play with the Wolverines. Kyle Bosch transferred to West Virginia and Chris Fox had to take a medical, leaving Patrick Kugler, Logan Tuley-Tillman, and David Dawson as the only remaining members of that offensive line class that can still make an impact at Michigan.

This opens another scholarship for Michigan, who plans to take 25 to 28 commits in the 2016 class despite having only 13 seniors on the roster. Though some of those spots will open because there will be redshirt juniors whom Michigan will not grant a fifth season, this will provide Jim Harbaugh and his staff some breathing room to bring in a full class.