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After landing the commitment of former UMass running back CJ Hester over the weekend, the Michigan Wolverines went right back to the well and got the commitment of former Princeton running back John Volker out of the transfer portal on Monday.
The Fair Haven, New Jersey native has been with Princeton since the 2021 season and was a team captain this past season. He saw the field right away, playing in eight games as a true freshman and rushing 35 times for 126 yards. He also had four catches for 96 yards and two touchdowns that same year.
The 2022 season was a bit of a step back for Volker due to injury, so he only played in four games. However, he bounced back in 2023 with 93 carries for 447 yards and seven touchdowns. He played in all but one game this past season for Princeton, carrying the ball 89 times for 514 yards and six touchdowns.
For his efforts this past season, Volker was named an All-Ivy Honorable Mention and was also a Phil Steele Fourth-Team All-Ivy member.
John Volker ‘25 6ft 215 grad transfer RB
Princeton football team captain 4 year starter, 2x All Ivy league
4.40 40yd, 40 inch vert, 565 squat pic.twitter.com/FxbgOSFN1i
— John Volker (@JohnVolker3) April 7, 2025
At 6-foot and 215 pounds, Volker has a unique blend of size and speed. Mike Fenske, who serves as an advisor to Volker, spoke with On3’s EJ Holland to detail that further.
“The thing that stands out is he’s a freak athlete,” Fenske said. “If you look at his running numbers, his 40, his vertical and his lifting numbers, he would be up there with anybody at this year’s NFL combine. He has a 40-inch vertical and a legitimate 4.4 40. He ran 4.4 in high school. He’s solid at 6-foot, 215 pounds. I think he’s going to surprise a lot of people.
“He gets tough yards. He’s going to break tackles. But once he gets space, nobody is catching him. He’s a breakaway type runner. His freshman year, he was used as a short-yardage guy. I think he averaged 4.9-5 yards per carry (in his career), but it’d be higher if it weren’t for him being a short-yardage and goal line guy as a freshman. He’s strong and powers his way in. He’s an ideal between the tackles guy, but he has all-purpose skills. He can catch the ball, too.”
With Jordan Marshall and Justice Haynes set as Michigan’s running back duo in 2025, Volker and the aforementioned Hester provide quality depth and experience to the running back room following the departure of Benjamin Hall to the portal earlier this spring. Volker and Hester will compete with redshirt freshman Micah Ka’apana for the RB3 role this fall.
Volker has one year of eligibility remaining.
Stay up to date with all the latest happenings with our transfer portal tracker.
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