It looks like Michigan football is about to add some depth to its secondary.
Jeremiah Earby, a former defensive back at Cal and Boise State, was granted a preliminary injunction in Washtenaw County Circuit Court on Tuesday, Oct. 13, for a fifth-year of collegiate eligibility. He has since entered the transfer portal, per reports.
The same goes for former Tulane and Miami tight end Alex Bauman, who was granted a TRO earlier this week. Both are currently enrolled at the University of Michigan per the school’s records but are not listed on the roster.
Program spokesman Dave Ablauf said U-M "can't comment on players in the transfer portal."
Earby played for now Michigan safeties coach Tyler Stockton when he was previously at Boise State, and during
his two seasons with the Broncos he recorded 94 tackles, 2½ for loss and half a sack to go with five interceptions and 16 pass deflections. He was named to the All-Mountain West Second Team in 2025.
Earby declared for the NFL Draft and was camp invitee of both the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles, according to his social media, but was never rostered. There was discussion at Boise State of bringing Earby back earlier this year but was never set in stone.
U-M has a solid top crop of defensive backs in Jyaire Hill, Smith Snowden, Zeke Berry, Chris Bracy and Jyaire Hill, but has looked for production beyond. Cornerback Shamari Earls and safety Mason Curtis have both been serviceable, but no room can ever be too deep.
"I've already told them the best man is going to play," cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford said earlier this year. "That's how I've been coaching my whole life, and I'm not going to change. They totally understand that. Everything is going to happen on and off the field, so you got to do everything right."
Earby, who saw 965 snaps last season, primarily played corner (669) but also saw time in the box (60), slot (20) at free safety (six) and had nearly 200 reps on special teams, according to Pro Football Focus.
All indications point to him joining the Wolverines, but it would be difficult to imagine he's both rostered and up to speed by the time U-M (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten) plays Penn State (3-3, 0-3) on Saturday, Oct. 17 (3:30 p.m., CBS) at Michigan Stadium.
Tony Garcia is the Michigan beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football lined up to add former Boise State DB Jeremiah Earby
