Michigan has had a great start to the 2010 season, opening with a 2-0 record, but they have also lost two defensive players in the last week or so.
Last week, following Michigan's win over UConn, safety Vlad Emilien decided to transfer. He has yet to choose a school, but Emilien has left the team, leaving Michigan with very little depth at the safety position.
This week, following Michigan's win down in South Bend over Notre Dame, defensive end Anthony LaLota has decided to transfer to Rutgers.
LaLota was in his redshirt freshman season for Michigan after joining the Wolverines in 2009. He was a four-star defensive end in high school but apparently did not live up to the hype, as he was buried on Michigan's depth chart. That doesn't mean that losing him isn't a big deal or anything, but it appears he is leaving in order to find playing time. Emilien may have transferred for the same reason, although chances are he would have now gotten some playing time with backup safety Jared Van Slyke out for the season.
LaLota is from New Jersey, so his decision to transfer to Rutgers makes sense in that regard.