2025 recruiting
Panic over Michigan's 2025 recruiting class can subside for a moment, as one of their top targets over the course of several DL coaches just committed to Lou Esposito and the Wolverines.
Marshall is a top-100 player to all the sites, and is near the 5-star cutoff to some.
RATINGS BY SITE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
247: 6'4/265 | On3: 6'5/265 | Rivals: 6'5/270 | ESPN: 6'4/270 |
4*, 92, #73 Ovr | 4*, 93, #71 Ovr | 4*, 6, #21 Ovr | 4*, 83, #78 Ovr |
COMPOSITES | |||
247 Composite | On3 Consensus | MGoBlog | |
4*, 0.9785, #35 Ovr | 4*, 94.38, #40 Ovr | 4.5*, #65/805 Ovr | |
4.79 | 4.44 | 4.64 | |
The rankings will come down a bit as the class settles but right now we're looking at the fifth-highest rated freshman to come to Michigan since 2020 after Edwards, Will Johnson, McCarthy, and Derrick Moore. In fact Marshall draws a few comparisons to the rising junior star currently playing the "Heavy" edge position. Already close to 270 pounds, Marshall is coming in as an edge who can also function as a DL swingman (see also: Enow Etta and Cameron Brandt). Given the relative depth at tackle and edge, it's likely the Heavy depth chart will be responsible for filling the Jeter role of third DT in Michigan's 5-2 sets.
He has a basketball background and also plays some wildcat QB and receiver in Illinois Class 6A, in case you're wondering if Marshall has the requisite athleticism to remain outside.
Marshall was a priority recruit for Mike Elston, and his familiarity with Greg Scruggs might have played a role in that hiring. Miami (YTM) had Marshall on campus this month and was starting to gain confidence out Michigan's multiple coaching changes. But Esposito was also quite familiar with the Chicago star. It's a good sign for his recruiting chops that he was able to lock down Marshall at this point.
We'll have Alex Drain do some scouting and get back with a full hello. Michigan's 2025 class is now at four commits, but Marshall's was not the next name we expected to join it. Check back in a couple of months to see where they're at.
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.]
The final 2025 Hello yet to be written is in-state DT Bobby Kanka. A Howell, Michigan, native, Kanka was the third player in the 2025 class but is now the longest tenured, as Chris Ewald recently decommitted, following Mantrez Walker (who your author forgot about on first draft). The tackle is among the best players in Michigan, so let's get to know the only current commit on the defensive side of the ball:
GURU RATINGS
|
RATINGS BY SITE |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
247: 6'4/255 |
On3: 6'4/263 |
Rivals: 6'5/260 |
ESPN: 6'4/270 |
| 3*, 89, NR Ovr #31 DL, #4 MI |
3*, 89, NR Ovr #35 DL, #4 MI |
4*, 5.8, #249 Ovr #18 SDE, #3 MI |
no rating |
| 4.11 | 4.09 | 4.04 | n/a |
|
COMPOSITE RANKINGS |
|||
|
247 Composite |
On3 Consensus |
MGoBlog |
|
| 4*, 0.8933, #394 Ovr #35 DL, #5 MI |
3*, 89.4, #321 Ovr #36 DL, #5 MI |
4*, #348/805 Ovr #28/71 DTs since '90 |
|
| 3.93 | 3.94 | 4.06 | |
Kanka was unranked when he committed in August but has since been placed on the boards of three of the four services. He lacks a ranking at ESPN (surprise, surprise) but is a 3* to On3 and 247, while a 4* to Rivals. Both the 247 Composite and the On3 consensus rankings place Kanka in the zone we typically refer to as 3.5* territory. According to Seth's database on all defensive tackles recruited since 1990, Kanka ranks 28th out of 71. The four sites variously list his weight from 255 to 270, which is an important note when we talk about what position he may play in college.
[AFTER THE JUMP: made to play at MIchigan]
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