The 2025 Recruiting Board
Good afternoon national champs. The offseason is upon us, which means it's time to have a recruiting board.
What this is: This is our sticky recruiting board for 2025. When Alex or I finish a major update (happens quarterly-ish), it will be reposted to the top of the site. Otherwise it will be under the "Useful Stuff" tab.
The Guys:
Icon | Name | Meaning |
---|---|---|
Mr. Blue | Player is either a verbal or is expected to be one sooner or later. Players with this designation are 65%+ to be Michigan commits. | |
Happy Teeth | Players who have Michigan in a small leading group or have Michigan as a tenuous favorite. Should be regarded as a good shot, not a slam dunk. | |
Data | Either no opinion or Michigan is one of a fairly even group of chasing schools. Players in this category maintain no leader or change their leader frequently. The default category for players that we don't know much about yet. | |
Nefarious Eduardo | Player is a longshot. Either they've declared someone else a leader publicly, popular opinion holds that they're likely to go to another school, or Michigan's taking a swing . | |
Hopeful Hank | Cousin of Sad Josh. Category of player without strong competition but legitimate Michigan interest. | |
Sad Josh | The genre of player with unrequited interest in Michigan. Unlikely to receive offers; most will eventually fade off the list and go to Duke or Michigan State or something. | |
Tommy Torpor | Player Michigan wanted, but who told Michigan he's going elsewhere, or they got someone else, so they've cut off their pursuit. |
Players are ordered by our best guess at their priority level and likelihood of coming. Schools listed are prioritized by threat, with those in parentheses an as-yet unreciprocated favorite.
A Note on Premium Info: No illicit sharing of said material will appear on this site. Players are listed with interested schools in their profiles; this information is public. Commitments are by definition public. If you want a clearer picture than what can be gleaned from free browsing, subscribe to the services.
A Note on Needs and Scholarship Numbers: We're largely ignoring the 85-man limit these days because NIL can cover the cost of attendance for any player, e.g. a transfer, not subject to the rules governing scholarships for recruits who go through the process (see "blueshirting"). Expect Michigan's class to be between 23 and 28 players as usual.
[AFTER THE JUMP: Let's restart.]
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Quarterback
Needs: 1-2. You want one every year, but it's past time to get the next JJ.
Latest (April 2024): MI 5* Bryce Underwood is the #1 player in the country and playing just down the road at Belleville. He's a cultural, academic, athletic, and systemic perfect fit for Michigan, likes OC/QB coach Kirk Campbell, has visited a zillion times and grew up a fan. But LSU offered him $3 million/year for 3 years (money is always exaggerated) and Michigan doesn't like to make those kinds of commitments to freshmen.
Michigan hasn't put all of its eggs in the Underwood basket, taking a commitment from 3-star Carter Smith and treating him like the QB of the class. Insiders say they're going to keep on Underwood, and that his commitment to LSU isn't in stone, but M is adamant they don't pay for guys who haven't proven it. I'd argue if you're the #1 guy in the class you've proven it.
The Board:
Commits | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
MI | **** | Michigan | Multi-sport athlete, JJ-lite (Hello). | ||
Targets | |||||
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
MI | ***** | LSU | #1 overall. Luv ya but money talks. | ||
Husan Longstreet | CA | **** | Texas A&M | About to commit to A&M. | |
Ryan Montgomery | OH | **** | UGA, UF, SCar | McNamara-esque 4-yr starter |
Best Guess: Michigan pursues the committed Underwood to the ends of the Earth but ends up with Smith and portal.
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Running Back
Needs: 2. Hart left a loaded depth chart; even after you account for Edwards and Mullings leaving after this year, Benjamin Hall looks like a find, Cole Cabana is in line after Edwards, and Michigan added 4.5-star Jordan Marshall and another possible gem in Micah Kaapana last year. Keep the train rolling, though, because there will be attrition once carries shake out.
Latest (April 2024): This was already going to be a Michigan-Ohio State showdown before Michigan took Ohio State's RB coach. The CA 4* Jordon Davison recruitment is going down like a 5-star battle, and both want OH 4* Marquise Davis to be the 2nd guy in the class. Also there's a Bo Jackson Jr. out there. Michigan was already prying Jamario Parker out of Arkansas's class, and Hart really liked Iverson Howard so there are options if OSU wins either of those recruitments.
The Board:
Targets | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Jordon Davison | CA | **** | OSU leads, M closing | OSU's #1, visited M for days, Locklyn may keep. | |
Marquise Davis | OH | **** | UK, OSU, others | Close with Alford, M top10 | |
Jamario Parker | MO | **** | Neb, TCU, M | APB, Ark decommit (RB coach to TCU) | |
Iverson Howard | MD | ***.5 | M leads UMD, FSU, RU | Close to committing to Hart. | |
Dierre Hill | IL | **** | open | Jaybaugh find gone national | |
Bo Jackson | OH | ****.5 | OSU, UK | Not THAT Bo. Alford OSU target. | |
Bud Coombs | MD | *** | UMD leads UW, PSU, M, ND | DeMatha, may be UMD's next starter. | |
Xavier Goulbourne | FL | *** | Iowa, Ore | Hart liked, may slide now. | |
Chad Gasper | TX | *** | open | Tier 2 OSU prospect | |
Tomir Bransford | GA | *** | open | Hart target, 1 yr at St Frances | |
Santae McWilliams Jr. | AL | *** | FSU, others | Scatback, backburner. | |
Kolbe Harmon | TN | *** | YTM, IU, Duke | Speedy slot bug |
Best Guess: Davison is a pick 'em, Davis is more fungible, guessing Michigan ends up with two of the top three and OSU is satisfied with Bo Jackson Jr.
----------------------------
Wide Receiver
Needs: 3. Michigan needs bodies here, and while the portal will have to fill some of that, it would be nice to get (and keep) some larger individuals after Bellamy suffered a string of transfers (Anthony, Clemons, English) of guys we could use. Hard to blame him when Michigan hardly throws, but maybe when they see where Wilson and Johnson go in the draft there will be something to sell guys on?
Latest (April 2024): Bellamy classes always have a Ronnie Bell type at the top that you're pretty sure will end up in the class eventually, and this year that's Taz Williams. They'd love to beat OSU for a Quincy Porter one of these days. After those guys it's a spray approach to see if any big types are interested, with some just-a-guys down the chart in case they whiff.
The Board:
Targets | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Quincy Porter | NJ | ****.5 | M/OSU + PSU, others | Elite ht/speed. M slight lead? | |
TX | ***.5 | M leads OSU, A&M, TX, SMU | Ronnie Bell type | ||
Cameron Sparks | TN | ****.5 | UGA, Tenn | Big body, expected to visit | |
Derek Meadows | NV | **** | ND lean | 6'5 leaper, I'Marion friend. | |
Corey Simms | MO | **** | Mizzou, leads Neb, USC | Big body, M in top 12, NIL | |
Eugene Hilton | IN | *** | UGA leads field | 6'2/195. Recent offer, visit, rising, UGA :( | |
Dejerrian Miller | MO | ***.5 | Ole Miss, KSU | Big body, M in top 8. | |
Andrew Marsh | TX | ****.5 | TX, Okla, USC, LSU | 2x visit, M needs a 3rd. | |
Jamauri Brice | GA | *** | M leads Vandy (UGA) | Recently visited, realistic option. | |
Dallas Wilson | FL | ***** | Oregon, FSU, UF, YTM, OSU | Tall type taking visits. | |
Jacob Washington | LA | *** | M, UH, GT, YTM, MSSt | Big body, gettable, recent offer. | |
Phillip Wright | LA | *** | open | Slot bug | |
Jaden Nickens | OK | *** | open | Recent riser, new recruitment. | |
Tanook Hines | TX | **** | ASU | Track, skinny. | |
Vernon Allen | MD | *** | (PSU), UW, Cuse, Duke | Big body | |
Sah'nye Degraffenreidt | NJ | *** | RU (PSU) | WR/S ATH | |
Aveion Chenault | KY | *** | Kentucky | Lanky | |
CJ Wiley | GA | **** | UGA lead | Big, many visits UGA winning. | |
Talyn Taylor | IL | **** | UGA leads M, UW, ND | Canceled M visit, bye. | |
Kaliq Lockett | TX | ***** | TX, LSU, FSU | Elite baller, cut off talks. | |
Isaiah Mozee | MO | **** | Okla/Mizz/Ore/Tenn | Lees Summit | |
Quanell X Farrakhan Jr. | TX | **** | Bama leads Neb, A&M | Not likely but cool name. |
Best Guess: Taz, some big guy, and sure, Quincy Porter, because even Ohio State's hatred for Michigan can't keep them waiting around for a 4-star receiver when all the 5-stars are banging down their door, especially when this fall reveals OSU has another round of mutants to sit behind for the foreseeable future and Michigan has a path directly to the field.
----------------------------
Tight End
Needs: 2-3. Michigan's struggles to fill a receiver depth chart are ameliorated by their eye for tight end talent. Want to see a couple of swings at a Loveland every class and if there's an H-back around grab him too.
Latest (April 2024): They got an early commit from Eli Owens, who seems more like a blocky Bredeson type than the usual jumbo receivers they go after. That leaves room for two jumbos, and Hayden Bradley is a good candidate to be that if Casula can get him to stop visiting Ole Miss. The rest of the board is opaque, but we'd be remiss if we didn't moon over 6'9"/215 basketball player Dakotah Terrell. Dusty May has open scholarships, just sayin'.
The Board:
Commits | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
TN | *** | Michigan | H-back/Fullback (Hello). | ||
Targets | |||||
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Hayden Bradley | GA | *** | M, Ole Miss, Colo | M sees a 5*, lots of Ole Miss visits. | |
Dakotah Terrell | OK | NR | open | 6'9"/215. Plays hoops. | |
Linkon Cure | KS | ****.5 | KSU, PSU, Ore, Bama | Jumbo WR/Track ATH | |
Da'Saahn Brame | KS | **** | Ore leads Ole Miss | Jumbo WR, dad played for KSU | |
Noah Flores | WA | *** | Pac + PSU, Tenn | Oft-injured high upside | |
Jackson Verdugo | TX | NR | FCS | Under-the-rader, visiting. | |
Marshall Pritchett | GA | *** | North Carolina | Rabun Gap-Nachoochie! | |
Luka Gilbert | OH | **** | Miami (YTM) | Hoops, possible OT, oops Miami got. |
Best Guess: Bradley and Owens, who then turns out to be more of a receiver than we thought, because Michigan knows how to find them.
----------------------------
Offensive Line
Needs: 4. Michigan's strength since 2021 has been the experience of its OL. Projecting OL is hard, and Michigan's success in the portal doesn't seem sustainable. While you've got the reputation as the most OL-friendly program in the country, and the 85-man limit isn't really relevant anymore, you might as well go get the best OL in the country. Trading 3- and 5-man classes does tend to leave gaps, so with the program on stable footing they'd probably like to pick up four every year.
Latest (April 2024): MI 4* Avery Gach is Sherrone Moore's #1 interior and #1 OL target in this class, and has been for about two years. Gach also goes to Birmingham Groves, which has never sent a scholarship football player to Michigan, and his family sent their kids to The Learning Center preschool of Temple Shir Shalom, which probably isn't getting another shot at sending a scholarship football player to Michigan anytime soon.* As one of many Groves alumni, and one of two sons-in-law of much beloved TLC director Marsha Mitnick, this is as critical a recruitment for me as it is for Michigan. MSU is the main threat; Gach's father is an MSU alum, and they're taking in spring practice in East Lansing this week. Since the Gachs live where they can send their kids to the best public high school in America, and pray where they can send their kids to the best preschool in America, State has more reason to sweat the education factor than Michigan does the legacy factor.
I am considerably less informed as to the state of the rest of the board. The shape of OL recruiting since Sherrone Moore took it over from Ed Warinner has been to target a mix of elites and high-floor program guys. They hit on most of their favorites last year, and are on track to fill up before they run out of A targets again. National 5-star OT Andrew Babalola has had Michigan a tenuous favorite for awhile, and Michigan's chances with fellow top-of-the-board OT Jack Lange went up when Notre Dame won the recruitment of the other M-ND battle, Owen Strebig. If they miss on either, Michigan also loves a couple of Eastern tackle prospects on the rise that they got in with early in Rowan Byrne in New York, and Hardy Watts of Massachusetts. If they take another interior prospect besides Gach it's because they won a head-to-head with Penn State for Pennsylvanian Michael Carroll. Michigan's also staying in touch with a few more national prospects, with Nevada's Douglas Utu a name to keep an eye on as a riser who might be too good not to make a priority. Texas track athlete Marcus Garcia is another in that vein. I may have missed one or a dozen other guys Michigan "leads" for because, with good reason, if you throw a stone at a high school offensive lineman these days he'll say he wants to commit to Michigan.
* [I wouldn't rule out a softball player in 7 years though.]
The Board:
Targets | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
MI | **** | Michigan, OSU, MSU | Groves/Shir Shalom, #1 IOL | ||
Andrew Babalola | KS | ***** | M/Bama, Stan, A&M, USC | Elite, M in a good spot | |
Douglas Utu | NV | **** | Tenn, M, open | replaced Alofaituli on board | |
Rowan Byrne | NY | ***.5 | M, FSU, PSU, MSU | Tier 1 tackle prospect. M lead? | |
Hardy Watts | MA | **** | M, open | M loves, was after him early. | |
Michael Carroll | PA | **** | M/PSU | #2 interior if they take another | |
Owen Strebig | WI | **** | Notre Dame | ND commit but M loves. | |
Michael Fasusi | TX | ***** | Texas leads OU, A&M, Mizz | Elite, Sherrone staying involved. | |
Chauncey Gooden | TN | **** | Clem leads Tenn, M, OU | National IOL prospect, visiting soon. | |
Dramodd Odoms | TX | ****.5 | open | Elite national T | |
Marcus Garcia | TX | **** | A&M, PSU, M, Neb, UF, Ark | Track too. Newish target, M in top6 | |
Jayvon McFadden | MD | *** | OSU, MSU | Recent OSU offer, Tier 2 | |
Amir Leonard-Jean Charles | TN | *** | UK, Mich, Tenn, Ole Miss | OL/DL ATH. | |
Jack Lange | MO | **** | Mizzou | Tall LT, M not done pushing? | |
John Mills | CA | *** | Texas leads Neb, UF | OT/OG. M recently entered mix. | |
Tucker Kattus | OH | *** | Kentucky | Son of Eric. | |
Seuseu Alofaituli | NV | ****.5 | YTM leads OR, Bama, A&M | M left out of top four |
Best Guess: Gach, one of Babalola/Lange, one of Watts/Byrne, and one of Utu/Carroll/Garcia. Gun to head: Gach, Babaola, Watts, Utu.
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Defensive Interior
Needs: 2-3. Michigan picked up four DT prospects in 2024, but they're going to lose Grant and Graham to the NFL after this year, and there's quite a gap between their understudies and two guys older than them that they passed to get there. An impact 2025 freshman will have as much opportunity as Wafle/Hammond/Palepale/Beigel of getting on the field behind Rayshaun Benny and Trey Pierce when that time comes.
Latest (April 2024): Michigan got an early commitment from MI 3.5* Bobby Kanka, a high-floor/high-motor type who's a coveted OL target to some other schools—Tennessee's OL coach made a run at Kanka in February. Kanka's also moved up the rankings quite a bit since his commitment, earning a 4th star in the composite if not yet to 247 itself.
The rest of the DT board looked considerably more optimistic, if not materially different, before they lost (OH 4*) Mike Elston* to the NFL, then quickly had to jettison Greg Scruggs. Two Illinois prospects have led the top of the board since it was made, Nate Marshall and Jaylen Williams. Michigan and Illinois have been after Marshall forever, and Elston seemed close to getting a commitment at one point, but wasn't there to close the deal before the nation got its hands on Marshall's junior film. Esposito was another early believer so there's some optimism Michigan can regain their momentum and close the deal this summer. Espo already has a strong relationship with Williams, a 6'6/265 DE/DT that Ryan Walters has recruiting since Illinois. Walters has been extremely salty since Michigan snake-oiled Jyaire Hill out of his grasp, so winning that battle would be extra delicious.
The one post-Espo target of interest thus far is TX 4* DJ Sanders, a Chris Hinton-like heavy DE in high school who was down to Texas or Texas A&M before suddenly scheduling a mid-April trip to Ann Arbor. We'll see if that changes anything.
The coaching shakeup was more evident outside of Chicagoland. TN 4* Ethan Utley went from a Vols/Wolverines battle to committed to Tennessee (Michigan's done). IMG (Florida native) 4* London Merritt committed to Ohio State (Michigan's not done). FL 4* Myron Charles and GA 4* Kevin Wynn seem to be down to Florida schools. Penn State gained a tenuous lead and Ohio State gained a foothold in the race for 6'3/270 PA 4* wrestler Maxwell Roy, and another year's removal from Biff Poggi has distanced Michigan from the talk two years ago that two sophomore starters at St. Frances might play together at Michigan or Clemson. One of them—Trent Wilson—isn't even at St. Frances anymore, and is close to committing to Brent Venables. The other, MD 3* Darrion Smith, seems OSU-bound if they have room for him, and a Maryland-PSU battle if they don't. Tony Esposito is a great hire, so while you may hear the other candidate (the Illinois DT coach that Walters tried to bring with him to Purdue) may have been favorable from the perspective of current recruiting needs, long-term I think this is going to work out.
The Board:
Commits | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
IL | ****.5 | Michigan | 6'5/270 hyperathlete: WR/QB/Hoops | ||
MI | *** | Michigan | Local build-a-bear (Hello). | ||
Targets | |||||
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Jaylen Williams | IL | **** | M leads Midwest | Esposito already knows. | |
London Merritt | IMG(FL) | **** | OSU | Ideal DE/DT | |
DJ Sanders | TX | **** | Tex, A&M | Visiting mid-April, then we'll see. | |
Myron Charles | FL | **** | FSU, UF, YTM | Florida battle for ideal DT | |
Maxwell Roy | PA | **** | PSU/OSU | Wrestler, Esposito might get M back. | |
Darrion Smith | MD | *** | OSU, UMD, PSU | Current St. Francis build-a-bear | |
Trent Wilson | MD | **** | Oklahoma | Former St. Francis build-a-bear | |
Kevin Wynn | GA | **** | FSU, UF, USC | Nose. If he visits, etc. | |
Kole Briehler | NJ | *** | OSU, Stan, Okla | Track. M eliminated post-Elston. | |
Ethan Utley | TN | **** | Tennessee | Top target was lost with Elston | |
Jarquez Carter | FL | ***.5 | UF leads FSU, YTM, OSU, PSU | Didn't make top 5 | |
Charles House | NC | *** | UGA, SC, Tenn | UGA offer real, M not in top 6 |
Best Guess: If Esposito can win a gone-national recruitment for Nate Marshall we're in business. I'm going to hedge for now and say they get Jaylen Williams, add someone not yet on the board, and use the portal a bit while Espo establishes himself with 2026 prospects.
* [If you're wondering (you weren't), 1993 Ohio edge prospect Mike Elston was the #10 OLB and #15 prospect in the Midwest to Tom Lemming; an All-American and the #14 LB to BlueChip Illustrated; and the #37 prospect in the Midwest to Superprep. That comes out to a 4.05*—between Mason Curtis and Semaj Bridgeman—in my star chart.]
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Edge
Needs: 2. As with DT, Michigan brought in a bunch of edges last year, of various shapes and sizes, for two positions. The program is using "Open" and "Heavy" for what's basically a standup DE who drops into coverage up to 40% of the time (Jaylen Harrell) and an SDE who's at least 260 pounds, super long, and lines up outside of the tight end (Mike Morris), respectively.
Latest (April 2024): If the DT focus has been in Illinois, the two edges most associated with Michigan recruiting for the early part of this cycle were both from Indiana. 4* Damien Shanklin is a pass-rusher still being called underrated despite cracking the top-50 on 247 and nearing the top-100 in the composite. A ND-Michigan battle that spilled into a national one, Ohio State used Michigan's winter lull to move up to a slight leader. Mariyon Dye is the other IN 4* that's looking like a Michigan-OSU-Others battle royale where Michigan's making up ground lost from losing Elston. In both cases M is trying to get the 5th visit from guys with four locked in.
Options past the two hoosiers are mixed, and probably incomplete. CA 4* Marco Jones fits the profile of a lengthy multi-sport athlete. KS 4* Jayden Woods is a three-sport (wrestling, track) athlete who popped in for an unofficial in March, but that was when we had Scruggs, who was also recruiting Woods at Wisconsin. IMG's Dylon Worthen seems like a gettable option. Michigan may also try to turn a couple of PSU-bound guys towards a more successful program, raid Illinois, or look at some of the LBs that Brian Jean-Mary was involved with at Tennessee.
The Wolverines don't seem to be involved with 5* Jared Smith, the nation's top pass-rusher. After holding onto none of the three J.Smiths committed to them in 2024 I too am beginning to revise my opinions about J.Smith involvements.
The Board:
Targets | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Damien Shanklin | IN | **** | ND, OSU, M, Cincy, TX | M had lead, ND had lead, now OSU? | |
Mariyon Dye | IN | **** | YTM, OSU, Tenn, M/PU? | M covets, everyone else does too. | |
Marco Jones | CA | **** | open | 6'5 DE/TE, plays baseball. | |
Jayden Woods | KS | **** | Wis, PU, M | Rising DE/OLB tweener | |
Dylon Worthen | IMG (GA) | *** | open | Harrell-type OLB, brother RB at GT | |
Brandon Thomas | FL | *** | open | Formerly St. Frances, grow-a-Harrell. | |
Justin Hill | OH | **** | PSU, IL, USC, YTM | OSU slow for tracky OLB | |
Cortez Harris | MD | **** | PSU lean | Danna-ish edge. PSU top target. | |
Gabe Kaminski | IL | ***.5 | IL, ND, MSU | Grow-an-edge, Illini top target | |
Willie Fletcher | MI | *** | BGSU, IU, UK | MLK grow-an-edge, keeping tabs. | |
Kelan Butler | GA | *** | Tenn, GT, open | Track, rusher, BJM wanted at Tenn. | |
Bryce Davis | NC | ****.5 | UGA leads Clem, UNC | Elite, UGA expects commitment soon | |
Hayden Lowe | CA | **** | Texas, Wash, YTM | LB growing into a DL |
Best Guess: The board is not the board. Let's see how these recruitments look like after Esposito's been here for more than a couple of weeks, and who gets added to the board. I expected a few Anchor types given that's been his specialty to a degree I haven't seen since Don Brown.
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Linebacker
Needs: 2-3. Hearing good things before we need to about RS freshmen Hayden Moore and Jason Hewlett, and depending on which staff member you ask they're super-high on the 2024s as well. But Brian Jean-Mary may have different tastes than George Helow and Chris Partridge, and some of the guys on the roster who've been through a lot of LB coaches are greater portal risks because of it.
Latest (April 2024): NJ 4* Kamar Archie has been a big name on their board for a few LB coaches now, and a lack of wobble over that time suggests he's not just a NJ 4-star who was interested in Michigan for Partridge. GA 3* Chase Taylor received a flurry of SEC/ACC offers in February and seems to be reciprocating Michigan's the most strongly, with a visit and a slew of articles generated from it—expect him to be a top target and to get a rankings bump somewhere since Sam compared him to Sainristil and OMG($). Also in that article is Michigan's pursuit of Miami (YTM) commit Elijah Melendez, which now finally has a LB coach to head it after director of recruiting Sam Popper kept the flame going for a few months. Another recruitment that suffered between Partridge's firing and BJM's hiring was that of GA 4* Tavion Wallace, an FSU vs SEC battle that Jean-Mary partaking in. Michigan's also been the natural leader for a long time for IL 3* Christian Pierce, the little brother of sophomore DT Trey; OSU is poking around there and getting some traction.
The Board:
Targets | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Kamar Archie | NJ | **** | M, PSU, Clemson | Partridge guy, still a priority | |
Chase Taylor | GA | *** | M, GT, Tenn, FSU | High upside, visiting soon. | |
Elijah Melendez | FL | **** | Miami (YTM) | Broke foot in '23, flip target | |
Tavion Wallace | GA | **** | FSU leads UGA, LSU, SC | BJM add, #2 LB | |
Christian Pierce | IL | *** | M, OSU | Trey's brother, OSU offer | |
Dawson Merritt | KS | **** | M, FSU, Bama, Neb | Long DE/LB, dad Chiefs DB coach | |
Kenyon Rivera | GA | *** | Tenn, open | BJM target. Small body, big camps. | |
Gavin Nix | IMG(FL) | **** | UF, FSU, YTM, Stan | IMG starter, academic+ | |
DeCarlos Young | MD | *** | BC, Charlotte | Small but thicc | |
Justin Rowe | NC | NR | S.C., UVA, UNC | S->LB. M in early, BJM had on campus. | |
Matai Tagoa'i | CA | ****.5 | USC | Tough pull from USC but M loves | |
Landon McComber | NV | ***.5 | Neb, ND, USC | Bishop Gormon, Helow offer. | |
Luke Metz | GA | *** | Alabama | Bama jumped on a riser. | |
Anthony Sacca | PA | **** | Notre Dame | Safetyish WLB, son of Tony | |
Zayden Walker | GA | ***** | UGA/YTM/SC | Hoops, track. |
Best Guess: I'm feeling an optimistic vibe from the LB stories that may be Brian Jean-Mary projecting, or a reflection of the fact that Michigan somehow remained in good shape with a few B+ tier guys despite not having a permanent linebacker coach for a big chunk of the cycle. Give me Chase Taylor, Eljijah Melendez, and then going way out on a limb and saying Dawson Merritt.
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Safety
Needs: 2-3. They only have one from each of the last two cycles, Hillman didn't redshirt, and only he and Zeke Berry will still be around as early as next year unless Rod Moore choose to run it back again. If Morgan's up for it, there's room to get an elite or two, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to get a Q-Jo or two to redshirt as well.
Latest (April 2024): The one elite on the board is NC 4* JaDon Blair, who's been in close contact with Ron Bellamy throughout his recruitment, was the rare recruit that Jesse Minter was involved with personally, and whom we're told the new staff believes they can secure. As it was in the days of Brown and Mattison and Hermann, Notre Dame and Penn State are the top competition for Michigan's top safety target. PSU can sell an excellent track record at safety in recent years, and ND is somehow more desperate for warm bodies than we are, but even Tom Loy acknowledges Michigan held a tenuous lead prior to a visit to ND that included meeting the AD.
The rest of the board at this point is "Elite guy everyone wants" where Michigan isn't standing out in any meaningful way. LaMarr Morgan's first offer was to NC 4.5* Jordan Young, which adds to the young Sherrone vibe you get from Morgan where he thinks he can just leap into 5-star recruitments and probably will win a few a few once he has the chance to be involved in them for more than 9 months. I'm intrigued by Kendall Daniels and how he reacts to Bama's offer, since DeBoer would often hop into recruitments that Washington had no business in when a guy was dramatically underscouted.
Trey McNutt is the #2 prospect in Ohio and son of 1999-'02 OSU CB Richard McNutt, which makes Trey sort of and Evil Will Johnson. There was a point when WJ was strongly considering OSU, and there's a path here for Michigan as well, but they probably need Donovan Edwards to blaze through it for 75 and 85 yards again if they're gonna use it to escape with McNutt.
The Board:
Targets | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
JaDon Blair | NC | **** | M-ND-PSU | Visited, old/new staff love. | |
DJ Pickett | FL | ***** | Everyone | National rangy elite | |
Trey McNutt | OH | ****.5 | OSU, everyone | Richard's son | |
Jordan Young | NC | ****.5 | Clem, FSU, Tenn, Bama | Elite WR/S, if he visits, etc. | |
Kainoa Winston | DC | ****.5 | PSU leads OSU, Ore, UNC | Sprinter. Cousin of KJ Winston. | |
Jadyn Hudson | CA | **** | OSU, Tenn, UCLA, USC | Was Oregon, new top 4. | |
Dallas Golden | FL | ****.5 | UGA, YTM, ND | QB/RB/WR/S/CB Ath | |
Charles Bass | IL | **** | Illini, others | CB/S, Illinois top target. | |
Martels Carter Jr. | KY | **** | UK, Auburn | Shorter, sprinter w sub-11s 100m. | |
Kendall Daniels Jr. | VA | ***.5 | YTM, UVA. Bama? | New Bama offer, Miami loves. | |
Marcus Wimberly | AR | *** | Oklahoma | Baseball, track. Jumped on Okla offer. |
Best Guess: Blair and another, probably someone Morgan adds to the board. The ND visit didn't seem to change things for Blair, which has me cautiously optimistic Michigan comes out ahead even if it means Blair has to turn down some upfront money in the process.
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Cornerback
Needs: 2-eleventybillion. Don't ask me I am incapable of believing there's such a thing as too many cornerbacks. But Will Johnson is NFL-bound after this year, and last year's freshmen have passed everyone on the roster save perhaps Ja'Den McBurrows in a room that also lost its longtime position coach to the NFL. We'll see what they get from the 2024 freshmen, but indicators are strong that they 2025 class is going to have a pretty open depth chart before them.
Latest (April 2024): Michigan seems close to a pair of Tier 1 commits who were high on Clinkscale and have reacted well to Morgan. OH 4.5* Dawayne Galloway is from Columbus, and one of the fastest players in Ohio, but for whatever reason hasn't been associated with Ohio State since the early days of his recruitment. Michigan's fending off a late push from PSU after lengthening a lead over Kentucky, Purdue, and Syracuse over the course of the cycle, and will probably get a commitment in time. FWIW Allen Trieu comps Galloway to Ambry Thomas.
The other near commit is Alex Graham, who was playing at Cass Tech until someone told him you have to be a 5'6 to do that (I'm guessing) and Graham went to IMG. Bellamy has been tight with him the whole way, and once Graham's done taking a free visit to Boulder people think he's going to end up in Michigan's class as well.
The top nickel on the board for awhile has been VA 3* Jahmari DeLoatch, but chatter from recent visits to VT and Virginia seem to indicate Michigan's dropped off since losing Clink. On the surface this is a Michigan guy: a speedy/jumpy track star who brings up "academics and good ball" to recruiting reporters. I don't know whom they're pursuing for nickel instead but I'd like to see them ping NJ 4* CB/RB Jahmir Joseph, who keeps bringing up Michigan on his own. Joseph is a D-I caliber hoops guard with football visits scheduled to Stanford, Penn State, and Notre Dame. The basketball focus has him (and his suitors) all way behind where they'd be normally in the recruiting cycle.
Another target that Clink may have valued more than his successor is MI 3* Elijah Dotson, a tall bump-n-run type at UofD who used to be getting mentions in Michigan/PSU sweeps and now comes up primarily in MSU and Pitt articles. Hank's son Tre Poteat is another of those if you substitute Tennessee for PSU and Iowa State/Wisconsin for MSU/Pitt. Either may be more likely than making up ground for ND's Benjamin Morrison-esque top target Mark Zackery IV, but Michigan has basketball scholarships available and may try to interest the leaper in playing both. Former 5-star Chris Ewald was committed to this class for awhile, but people were always like "Are you suurrrre?" with that one before he started taking visits during Michigan's championship run. Ewald's since dropped to the edge of 3-stardom on 247, is still listed at 165, and seems to be choosing between Louisville and Miami.
The Board:
Targets | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Dawayne Galloway | OH | ****.5 | M leads PSU, UK, PU, Cuse | Speedy, tall, top100 tracky from C'bus | |
Alex Graham | IMG(MI) | **** | Colorado, UGA lead M | Cass->IMG. Committing to UC, M will try to flip | |
Jahmari DeLoatch | VA | *** | Cincy, M, Vandy, VT, Wake | Clink lock, Sainristil type | |
Mark Zackery IV | IN | **** | ND leads Cincy, M. | Basketball, academics, M will try. | |
Elijah Dotson | MI | *** | MSU, Pitt, M, PSU | Tall CB from U-D, M may cool post-Clink. | |
Tre Poteat | WI | *** | M, Tenn, ISU, Wis | Son of Hank (was: Wis, now: ISU) | |
Cameron Miller | NJ | ***.5 | RU, UK, M, Cuse, Wis | Sprinter. Partridge guy. | |
Onis Konanbanny | SC | **** | UNC, PSU, Tenn, Utah | French, track, raw CB/WR. | |
Saimire Locks | PA | NR | open | Offered in '23, scrawny. | |
Noah Francis | FL | NR | open | 6'2, Clink, Getting B12ish offers. | |
Chuck McDonald | CA | **** | open | Track. UGA, USC, ND visits thus far. | |
Jahmir Joseph | NJ | **** | ND, PSU, Stanford | Nk/CB/Safety | |
Faheem Delane | MD | ****.5 | OSU leads LSU, Ore, MD | Good Counsel. S but M sees CB. | |
Cobey Sellers | TX | **** | Okla/TX lead A&M/M | Visiting, but OU or Texas | |
Chris Ewald | FL | **** | M decommit | It was nice while it lasted. |
Best Guess: Galloway, Graham, or both may be Michigan's next commits, which will probably do it for outside. I don't want to downgrade DeLoatch because I like him, but Michigan may have moved on. Interested to see what Morgan does with nickel.
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REVISIONS LIST
- 4/9/24: Launched (Seth)
- 4/22/24: Moved Nate Marshall to committed (Seth)
How did Bo Jackson Jr end up in Cleveland playing for Desmond Howard and Elvis Grbac's alma mater Villa Angela St Joes?
Bo knows.
I stepped right into that one. Good day sir.
April 10th, 2024 at 10:09 AM ^
Bo don't know Diddley.
Vincent "Bo" Jackson has three children, Lamar "Bo" Jackson Jr is not one of them.
It appears you are correct…but then why did Seth say “yes THAT Bo”?? Is he just messing with us?
April 10th, 2024 at 12:10 PM ^
Because I screwed it up. I read one thing that said it was THAT Bo and didn't check another.
Sincich, Cannavino, Eric Riley, Tony Jackson...the list goes on
1. UM should pay Underwood. They have like bazillion multimillionaires.
2. Pay for a stud WR.
UM’s defensive reputation means they shouldn’t have to pay large sums for elite talent there. Same for OL and RB.
But QB and WR will require some extra incentive. Targeted pay for pay for guys like Underwood who are legitimately interested in the program makes sense.
How do you tell everyone else in the class that you had to pay the top 100 WR to come, but the top 100 corner/linebacker/etc that they should be fine not taking the same bag?
Assuming that this is a real problem-- (I'm skeptical cuz other programs have figured it out)--it would still be super easy to get all players to at least be ok with paying big money for a 5* QB. Everyone wants to win and a 5* QB makes everyone look better, even the defense, as a better offense means the defense will be more rested and put in terrible spots less often.
So the idea that paying for an elite QB could cause locker room issues is pure BS. Even a program as cheap as Michigan who doesn't care about winning to the level of Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, etc should be willing to at least pay top dollar for a QB.
There's a difference though between suggesting what it seems that SQ and other people at times have suggested, and what I think you're talking about. Yeah, if you're being competitive in pay with the going rate for other kids on the DL, OL, etc. in the class and then throwing the house at an elite QB I think you can make it work. UGA, OSU, Texas, and schools like that are probably throwing competitive offers across the board. This idea that Michigan though can get away only going hard at one or two positions and play the culture fit game with a toe in both waters feels like a recipe for issues. I don't have an opposition to paying kids money to come here or think it means that you definitely get culture issues, I think there's a way to do it where you pay kids and don't get issues.
I do not know the answer but I hate the question. All that I have seen and know is what happened at Texas A&M so hard pass on that tactic. As for playing for Brian Kelly money has to talk and beat me to death to play for that guy. Until Michigan's recruiting strategy and plan for team development is proven broken you hold the course and do what makes sense.
It very well could be that your best pitch is not enough and the cost of getting Underwood into the fold is too great and this best serves both interests.
Yeah. Paying players once they’ve earned it is great and help make the team a team, but if you’re a top [x] player you’re not going to go somewhere on faith. Sure you’re not going to get the Derrick Greens of the world, but you’re also not going to get the Charles Woodsons, Jabrill Peppers or Ryan Mallets.
The top players are getting life altering amounts if they don’t spend it all.
There should be some sort of floor for the top [x] players. Graduated tier or something. But even that doesn’t compete with guaranteed money.
I know I'm in the minority here, but I’m ok with not paying a highschool senior who hasn’t played a snap in college a guaranteed $9 million over 3 years. He likely won’t even play much his freshman year. So this high schooler should make more than Brock Purdy? Somehow college football duped everyone last year and found a way to decrease actual game time and increase commercial time and no one was outraged. This will only continue with this trend of outrageous pay.
If it means we never win another natty so be it. We won the last one that mattered anyway.
April 10th, 2024 at 12:44 AM ^
If paying players means we do win another natty, so be it. That's my rebuttal.
Im not sure who or what is paying this bill but I sure wish $100mil in tv money went to the players directly. What a strange time we are in that U of M hires another admin buddy to balance the books and the fans are pitching to pay the players.
You are hardly the minority it is simply the desire to spend others money is very vocal. I want to imagine this giant money cannon sitting on billions waiting to be fired at anything and everything from women's hockey facilities to Bryce Underwood.
Anyone questioning the concept of unlimited spending is less then popular on the board. In the least I would think it prudent to maintain the course and be consistent doing what has been successful.
It's pretty crazy to me that Michigan and its collectives couldn't put together a presentation or plan for Underwood basically saying "you're a hometown #1 player in the country who will make a killing if you stay in state and are successful"
Why is it crazy? The Michigan approach isn’t cash on the table up front.
Even if Michigan had data to support $50 million in earning potential if he’s all that and the best presentation in the world, it wouldn’t be a surprise at all for a kid to go somewhere else for a $3M per year 3 year guaranteed deal (or whatever the real numbers are) with cash up front and the potential to only earn, say $30 million if he’s good.
personally I am more than fine with Michigan’s approach but it won’t get you all the starzzz
April 10th, 2024 at 10:27 AM ^
The Michigan approach isn’t cash on the table up front.
I never said it was. But I think Michigan has the resources to make a plan or do some calculations to show that even if Underwood doesn't get cash up front that Underwood going to Michigan would make him more money in the long run
Let the kid go to LSU for a year, earn his $3M for not playing, and then Michigan can work the transfer portal to bring him back with a legit offer. To me, that’s a win-win for the kid and Michigan. Michigan has shown they can get Freshman transfers to work. Meantime, Michigan can keep recruiting the trenches and other positions they want developed in-house from the start with their transformational model.
That is the most enthusiastic shout-out for Groves that I think I’ve ever seen outside of a Raimi movie.
I wanted to take Latin but Seaholm didn't offer it, so I'd have to be biased to Groves for one period ... Seemed too weird as a 15 year old so didn't do so but wish I had.
So we're looking at a Ms. Blue softball player down the road? Let's see the emoji.
Dad played baseball, had some options but came to Michigan and was a team mgr instead. Kid is best friends with mine and is really sporty. Honestly wouldn't be surprised if she ends up an athlete at M.
There were also two kids of an MSU hockey player who would be at the preschool when dad wasn't playing in Germany. Really nice family.
I will read this closely soon, but the important thing is that we should start every post with "Good afternoon (morning, evening), National Champions.......
Carl Grapentine, if you're reading, please... every home game...
Smigiel is actually from Newbury Park, CA (not "LA"), part of the city of Thousand Oaks where I live. I play pickup basketball a couple times a week with the offensive coordinator for NPHS, and he relayed to me that Smigiel visited Michigan on an unofficial last year and was enamored, and at least at that point Michigan was #1 on his list. I'll check back in with him tonight to see where things stand.
So he visited Michigan and was all like "my precious"?
Doubt anybody is checking back with this, but checked with my buddy last night and it turns out he's a 2026, which is probably why it looks like Seth took him off the board. He said Smigiel has a current top 3 of Michigan, OSU, and ND, but there's a long way to go.
I hate to be that guy, but the school in Baltimore where Biff and Blake came from is St. Frances with an "e".
fixed.
So how long before we can evaluate the new coaches’ recruiting chops?
Listen, I love Michigan more than any other sport team pro/college but I cannot deal with Michigan arrogance relative to NIL. (all other Michigan arrogance I love)
Seth is 100% correct Bryce Underwood has already proven plenty.....more than any QB currently on our roster has therefore its okay/mandatory to compensate him. We cannot trade-off a 5 star who lives right down the street + been on campus 2 dozen times for another 3 star.
Support coach Moore by Matching LSU thus landing Underwood.
I'm not sure how much of it's arrogance and rather trying to efficiently and strategically allocate NIL to maximize player retention
April 10th, 2024 at 12:53 AM ^
What happens when the players you have aren't worth retaining? I'm not saying we're there yet, but there are some position groups that are definitely in the "TBD this fall" category (QB/WR).
Also, if it's ok to pay stop-gap portal players, why not pay elite HS targets?
Hey NIL has done fine by us at QB since JJ signed. We got uh... checks 4 classes... hmm Davis looks good next year 2025?
April 10th, 2024 at 10:16 AM ^
Yeah this is what I've been saying all along. In order to retain a guy like JJ, first you have to get JJ on campus. Underwood is the closest thing to JJ in this class or the next. He may be a complete bust. But that is a chance you gotta take, because in order to win championships, we need JJs (and all the other guys about to go high in the draft).
April 10th, 2024 at 10:41 AM ^
What happens when the players you have aren't worth retaining?
My understanding is that all players are getting a baseline amount plus their personal NIL deals then the good players are getting extra from collectives. If players aren't worth retaining, then they can seek opportunities elsewhere
Also, if it's ok to pay stop-gap portal players, why not pay elite HS targets?
I never said it wasn't "ok," but from an NIL perspective it's likely more worthwhile to pay players that are proven at the college level. I think there's definitely some positions where you need to pay them to get them on campus
That's where I see it as hypocritical. The whole pitch is that you come to Michigan on the premise that you put in your time and the rewards will come. But as soon as there's a position of need, you hit the portal and pay someone -- someone who didn't put in their time at Michigan. I agree it's a safer way to spend money, but it goes against their own policy that they love to spew everywhere.
Don't have as strong a connection as Seth does to Avery Gach, but as a U of D Jesuit alum who's seen every other Catholic League school put guys at U of M and is tired of watching our best athletes play for State, I really want to land Dotson.
Pretty sure Smigiel is a 26 recruit
PSU seem to be on a lot of top talent for not doing much on the field for the past decade. The probably have a good NIL program much like OSU. I think M will eventually have to go down the NIL road for top recruits. So far we are building up 3 and 4 stars to perform like 5 stars.
They have a good staff full of strong recruiters. Franklin himself is excellent at recruiting, though they've gotta learn to bring him in later so his tendency to lie won't get exposed.
April 10th, 2024 at 10:21 AM ^
You know we now have "alternate facts". What lies has he told?
April 10th, 2024 at 12:23 PM ^
The kind that fairly routinely lead to quotes about Michigan coaches being "refreshingly honest." Who's where on a depth chart, which guys are expected to be moving on, things they've heard about programs they're recruiting against. A few classes made it through the program after promises from Franklin that Harbaugh would be gone before they're playing.
April 10th, 2024 at 10:44 AM ^
PSU has obviously never made the playoffs and only has the 1 big ten title, but they've won 10 or more games 5 of the last 7 years (with 4 of those seasons being 11 wins), played in 5 NY6 bowl games and at the beginning of the 2023 NFL season were 8th in schools with players on nfl rosters.
They've been a top 15 type program. They just haven't been able to beat OSU or UM.
Is there a reason Carter Smith is considered a 3-star in this update?
He's a 4-star to three of the services (top 200 to ESPN, Rivals and On3) and on the composites, he's ranked 195 at On3 and 149 at 247.
April 10th, 2024 at 10:02 AM ^
He was also the Gatorade POTY for the state of Florida as a JUNIOR! I'll take Underwood any day, but Smith seems like a winner we can roll with. I mean, he has multiple pancake blocks on his boots and is very athletic, what's not to like?
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