Miami tight end Alex Bauman trending toward Michigan as a midseason transfer

Miami tight end Alex Bauman looks likely to finish his college career somewhere else. Michigan is trending to add Bauman and Boise State cornerback Jeremiah Earby as fifth-year transfers at the midseason mark, On3 reported Wednesday, citing sources.

The On3 report, by national writer Pete Nakos, is mostly behind a paywall. The parts that can be read pair Bauman and Earby as midseason additions for the Wolverines. On3 separately reported Tuesday that Earby had entered the transfer portal. The public portion of the report does not say why Bauman is leaving or when he could suit up for Michigan, and The Atlantic Line has not independently confirmed the move.

Movement like this in the middle of a season is still uncommon, and that makes this one stand out. Players who reach their fifth year can look for a new school that offers them more snaps or a better fit for the rest of their eligibility. For Michigan, two experienced players could fill holes halfway through the season. For Miami, a veteran is leaving the tight end room while the Hurricanes are unbeaten and in the national title picture.

The timing matters for Miami. The No. 3 Hurricanes are 5-0 and host Florida State (3-3) on Saturday, October 17, at 7 p.m. Eastern on ESPN and Disney+. The rivalry game is usually the most emotional date on either team's schedule. This year it also comes at the middle of the season, when Miami is trying to stay on track for a College Football Playoff spot and the Seminoles are trying to stop their season from slipping away.

In the market, the Hurricanes are heavy favorites. Miami is -1233 on Novig, one of the venues pricing the game, and is favored by 21.5 points with a total of 56.5. The best sportsbook price on Miami is -1600 at BetMGM. Full prices for the matchup are on the Florida State at Miami odds page.

Those numbers suggest the market doesn't expect a roster change at tight end to change much this weekend. Miami has been one of the most complete teams in the country through five games, and Florida State has looked inconsistent while splitting its first six games. Still, how the Hurricanes split up targets and blocking jobs among their tight ends will be worth watching Saturday if Bauman is out of the rotation.

The bigger questions about Bauman's departure will come later. Miami will need to decide how it uses its remaining tight ends in the second half of the season. A conference title and a playoff spot are still on the table. Michigan will need to work two new players into a roster that has already played half a season.

Neither school had announced the moves as of the On3 report. The Atlantic Line will follow up when the transfers are official.