Michigan

Eastern Michigan's James Djonkam Commits To Virginia Tech

Published

1 year ago

January 7, 2025

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Eastern Michigan's James Djonkam Commits To Virginia Tech

Eastern Michigan’s James Djonkam committed to Virginia Tech on Monday. (Nick Brown)

James Djonkam
Defensive end
Eastern Michigan
6-3, 245
1 year remaining (Gr.)

Eastern Michigan’s James Djonkam, a native of Springfield, returned to the Commonwealth of Virginia on Monday when he committed to Virginia Tech.

COMMITTED‼️ @CoachPryVT @jcprice59 @Coach_Marfo pic.twitter.com/n5lxEvu2QI
— Da Ginger Freak (@Jamesdjonkam55) January 7, 2025

Djonkam was a linebacker for the Eagles, where he was a Second Team All-MAC pick after racking up 98 tackles — good for 11th in the FBS — along with 11.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in 2024. He was a three-time conference defensive player of the week and had fantastic PFF grades: 83.1 for overall defense, 84.5 for run defense, a 76.0 mark for tackling and a 91.2 in pass rushing.

However, Tech Sideline understands that he’s set to play defensive end for the Hokies. (In fairness, his coverage grade was 48.3 this year.) He was an edge out of West Springfield High School but landed at Independence Community College in Kansas, where he spent a season before transferring to Arizona State. After playing 174 snaps in two years with the Sun Devils, Djonkam moved to Ypsilanti, Mich., and had a breakout year.

In his career at the FBS level, he’s recorded 133 tackles, 14 TFLs and three sacks. He had some notable games in 2024, highlighted by his 22-tackle performance on Nov. 20 vs. Buffalo. He followed it up with a 17-tackle outing in the season finale at Western Michigan and had five tackles for loss in those two contests. He also started the year with a 13-tackle game at UMass.

Djonkam is the Hokies’ third pickup on the defensive line this offseason but the first end, joining tackles Jahzari Priester (Hampton) and Arias Nash (Mercer) — the latter of whom committed earlier Monday. He joins a room that features just one returning play-maker in Keyshawn Burgos, who has 803 career snaps. The rest of the group has 425 combined. Djonkam brings 664 to Blacksburg.

He was a dual-sport athlete in high school. As a junior on the gridiron, he recorded 133 tackles, 15 TFLs and seven sacks. Meanwhile, he averaged 14.7 points per game as a senior on the hardwood.

Djonkam wasn’t highly ranked out of high school but had several offers after a year at the JUCO level, where he recorded 64 tackles, 12.5 TFLs and three sacks. Liberty, New Mexico State, North Texas, Texas State, Toledo and UTSA were interested, but he chose Arizona State. This time around, Michigan State and West Virginia also pursued him. He has one final year of eligibility because of the JUCO ruling, courtesy of Diego Pavia.

Overall, Djonkam is Tech’s 14th portal acquisition and the eighth on defense, five of which are defensive backs.

For more information on Virginia Tech’s comings and goings in the portal, click here for Tech Sideline’s roster management page.

James Djonkam links:

Eastern Michigan bio
ESPN

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Michigan

Trey McKenney to return to Michigan Basketball next season, per report

Published

11 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Trey McKenney to return to Michigan Basketball next season, per report

In the middle of what’s been an incredible season for the Michigan men’s basketball team, Dusty May and the program are now confirmed to be bringing back a big contributor for next season. According to a report from Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press, freshman guard Trey McKenney is set to be back with the Wolverines next year.

“We’re going to have a really talented team next year,” McKenney told Garcia. “I came in with a role this year and I think my role would definitely expand next year, so I’m definitely looking forward to coming back.”

McKenney joined the program this offseason as a prized five-star recruit in the Wolverines’ 2025 recruiting class. So far he’s lived up to the billing, coming off the bench to average 9.7 points per game, but shooting an impressive 38.5 percent from three-point range this year. He has already asserted himself as one of the team’s best shooters.

In addition to his offensive game, he’s gotten after it on the defensive end as well and has been regularly on the floor to close games this season. We’ve seen McKenney’s role slowly grow, especially in the absence of fellow guard L.J. Cason, who has missed the last month and is set to miss all of next season with an ACL tear.

By cementing his status with the program, McKenney is a great foundation for what the team hopes to build next season. He’ll likely step into a starting role as the Michigan’s shooting guard, while May and company also look to get players like Elliot Cadeau, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara back in the fold.

Michigan will get a shot to fill out the rest of its roster when the transfer portal opens up on April 7, just one day after the National Championship.

For now though, McKenney and the Wolverines will focus on punching their ticket to the Final Four for the first time since 2018 by defeating Tennessee on Sunday afternoon.

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Michigan women’s basketball vs. Louisville in Sweet 16: Time, TV, stream

Published

23 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Michigan women’s basketball vs. Louisville in Sweet 16: Time, TV, stream

When the Sweet 16 continues on Saturday during the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament, Michigan women’s basketball (27-6) will continue its climb to reach the Final Four for the first time.

The Wolverines, who earned the No. 2 seed in the Fort Worth 3 Region, are playing in the program’s third Sweet 16 under head coach Kim Barnes Arico.

“We committed to Michigan to do this, and we committed to Coach Arico to do it for her and for each other,” Michigan guard Olivia Olson said. “We’re accomplishing the goals we set out to, and we’re not done yet. So we’re going to keep having fun with it and keep preparing.”

Michigan will take on No. 3 Louisville Cardinals (29-7) at 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

“This is my first time going to the Sweet 16, all of our first times, so I think the feeling of, we’re still dancing, we’re still playing basketball, it’s a great feeling,” Louisville guard Taj Roberts said.

The winner from Saturday’s matchup will play in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday, March 30, for the right to advance to the Final Four.

What time is Michigan vs. Louisville?

Date: Saturday, March 28
Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
Location: Dickies Arena (Fort Worth, Texas)

The Michigan Wolverines will play the Louisville Cardinals in the Sweet 16 round of the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 28, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

Michigan vs. Louisville: TV, streaming

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Morez Johnson Jr. NBA mock draft projection: Where Michigan star is expected to land

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Morez Johnson Jr. NBA mock draft projection: Where Michigan star is expected to land

The 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament is down to its Sweet 16 and we’ll have a Final Four by Sunday evening. For half of the college stars taking the court this weekend, it’s one final opportuniy to impress NBA teams with their play at full game speed when the lights are brightest as this year’s draft class comes into focus.

The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft, Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. is expected to go in the first round. Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the big man’s draft night will play out.

Our draft order is based on ESPN’s projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.

Morez Johnson Jr. 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 25 overall, Los Angeles Lakers

Kalbrosky’s Analysis:

Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best, most underrated two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson’s shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should find minutes at the next level.

See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here