Two Michigan grad transfers will finish career at Southern schools

Published May. 27, 2015 10:14 a.m. ET

foxsports

Former Michigan football players Blake Countess and Justice Hayes both used social media to announce where they will play this fall after completing their undergrad work and deciding to transfer. Both are eligible immediately.

My little bro pulled the trigger today so what the heck, let's get the ball rolling!!! #GoldenEagle #ToTheTop pic.twitter.com/ubmssNgXXm
— Justice Hayes (@810hay) May 26, 2015

Countess, a first-team All-Big Ten performer in 2013 who struggled at times last season, joins an Auburn team the Montgomery Advertiser noted has lost five players from the secondary since hiring former Florida head coach Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator in December.

Hayes announced in January his intention to transfer. As he heads to Southern Mississippi, he leaves behind what is expected to be a crowded backfield in Ann Arbor. Once-highly coveted recruits Derrick Green and De'Veon Smith return as juniors and sophomore Ty Isaac becomes eligible after sitting out last season following a transfer from USC. Green, Smith and Isaac are all considered power backs while Hayes (5-foot-10, 194 pounds) is more of a slasher.