Michigan Wolverines trending for three top targets

Michigan is off to an impressive start this cycle with 17 commitments and the No. 5 recruiting class in the 2024 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. The Wolverines’ recruiting momentum may continue soon, as they are trending for three of their top targets on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

They are Brandywine (Md.) Gwynn Park four-star EDGE Devon Baxter (94.3%), Princeton (N.J.) Hun School three-star defensive lineman Owen Wafle (80.2%) and Landisville (Penn.) Hempfield three-star defensive lineman Deyvid Palepale (87.9%). EJ Holland and Zach Libby of The Wolverine recently placed expert predictions for Michigan to land Baxter and Wafle. Meanwhile, Holland also made a prediction for Palepale to choose head coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff.

Baxter is set to visit Ann Arbor next month. It will mark his first visit to Michigan.

“Michigan is eyeing around four-to-five edge rushers this cycle and is seeing momentum on its side with Baxter,” Libby said. “Even though the four-star hasn’t visited Ann Arbor yet, he’s set to take his official on June 16th. Michigan pass rush specialist Dylan Roney is leading the way in this recruitment and is pushing hard to land Baxter. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter also stopped by Baxter’s school last week. Showing that Ann Arbor is the proper home environment will be key on the official visit.”

Baxter is the No. 373 overall prospect and No. 26 EDGE in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 12 player in Maryland.

“I’ve always looked at Michigan as a powerhouse team,” Baxter told Holland on April 18. “I don’t want to say it doesn’t impress me, but it’s kind of expected. They’re looking for the best of the best, and they’re going to develop them to the best of their capabilities. I want to go to the league, so I want to be pushed to be the best.”

For more Michigan recruiting intel, check out The Wolverine.

Michigan is also in good position for Wafle and Palepale

Wafle was a longtime Notre Dame commit before backing off his pledge to the Fighting Irish on May 24. Shortly after his decommitment, Holland and Libby placed predictions for him to end up with the Wolverines.

“Michigan has been working hard behind the scenes to land Wafle, who just decommitted from Notre Dame and is expected to be in Ann Arbor for an official visit on June 16th,” Libby said. “That’ll be on Victor’s Weekend, so Wafle will get ample time with the majority of U-M’s 2024 commits.”

Wafle is the No. 407 overall prospect and No. 38 defensive lineman in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He is also the No. 7 player in New Jersey.

Meanwhile, Palepale is taking an official visit to Michigan on June 9. He was also on campus on April 7.

Palepale is the No. 702 overall prospect and No. 67 defensive lineman in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He is also the No. 21 player in Pennsylvania.

On3 rates Palepale higher than other recruiting services, according to the Industry Comparison. Even though he is not ranked in the 2024 On300, Palepale is the No. 50 defensive lineman in the country and the No. 15 player in Pennsylvania.

“Michigan is doing a great job with establishing personal relationships with Palepale and his family,” Libby said. “While Penn State is going after the versatile defensive lineman hard, the 6-foot-2, 305-pounder has said on the record that the Wolverines are the leader. U-M has also visited Palepale’s school twice this spring which is something that the junior genuinely appreciates.”