Michigan appears to have retained one of its most experienced defensive backs. According to multiple reports on Tuesday morning, cornerback Zeke Berry plans to rescind his name from the transfer portal
and return to Ann Arbor, a significant development for a Wolverines secondary that is undergoing transition this offseason.
Berry had briefly entered the portal late last week, but multiple reports now indicate the two-year starter will remain with the Wolverines for his final season of eligibility.
His initial decision to explore the portal raised eyebrows, largely because of his importance to Michigan’s defense over the past two seasons. A former four-star prospect in the 2022 class, Berry has appeared in 37 games for the Wolverines and emerged as a steady presence across multiple roles in the secondary.
In 2025, Berry earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the media and third-team recognition from the coaches. He finished the regular season with an interception, 10 pass breakups and 33 tackles while routinely handling difficult perimeter assignments.
While Berry wasn’t Michigan’s top corner statistically this season, his reliability and experience made him a stabilizing force in one of the youngest secondaries in the Big Ten. With several underclassmen seeing extended snaps late in the year, Berry frequently served as the connective tissue between position groups.
With one year of college eligibility remaining, he’ll now finish his Michigan career on his own terms — anchoring the secondary, mentoring the next wave of defensive backs and potentially elevating his NFL Draft profile with a strong final campaign.
