March Recruiting Winners: USC nabs a five-star, Michigan gets its QB and more

The 2023 recruiting cycle appears to finally be wrapped up. The lone unsigned five-star prospect is finally off the board, and the attention of the recruiting world is now on 2024 and 2025. With that being said, there were not one, but two key moves in the 2023 class in the month of March that could pay immediate dividends for those programs.

Elsewhere, a couple of major prospects — including two of the nation’s top uncommitted 2024 quarterbacks — are now off the board. And things are really beginning to heat up as more commitments start stacking up for programs across the country. Let’s break down who took home the hardware in March:

1. Michigan

The Wolverines got a bit of a surprise dropped in their lap earlier this month when Notre Dame four-star athlete signee Brandyn Hillman was released from his National Letter of Intent with the Fighting Irish. One of the country’s more dynamic playmakers in the 2023 cycle, Hillman immediately drew interest from a number of top programs once he came back on the market. Michigan closed the door quickly though, bringing him in for an official visit and getting a commitment soon after.

Jim Harbaugh and Co. have some serious buzz on the recruiting trail right now, holding the nation’s No. 5 2024 class in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Two major additions to that group came this month, first with four-star running back Jordan Marshall and then with top quarterback Jadyn Davis. Marshall was a particularly impressive victory, with the Wolverines pulling a top target out of Ohio and away from rival Ohio State for the first time in years. Davis’ long-awaited decision gave Harbaugh a centerpiece to build around in this class, and there’s a lot of momentum brewing in Ann Arbor.

2. USC

The Trojans only have one commit thus far in 2024, but still had a little bit of unfinished business in 2023 to take care of. After leading for five-star tight end Duce Robinson for what seemed like most of his recruitment, the Trojans took a bit of a backseat to Georgia in December and January leading up to National Signing Day.

Robinson ultimately delayed his decision until the end of March, and that gave Lincoln Riley and his staff just what they needed to edge back in front. Robinson announced for the Trojans on March 30, giving them a third five-star signee in this cycle and a fourth offensive player ranked among the top-40 nationally.

3. Tennessee

After a top-15 class and a major step forward on the field this past year, Tennessee is rolling early on in 2024. The Vols already had five commitments in the cycle, but added arguably their biggest one to date with Calvary Day School (Ga.) quarterback Jake Merklinger. The No. 6 passer in the On300, Merklinger entertained Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan State and others, but was ultimately won over by Tennessee’s explosive offense and his relationship with the coaching staff.

Like Jadyn Davis with Michigan, he gives Tennessee a focal point at quarterback to recruit around as they try to reel in some elite receiving talent like Mike Matthews, Ryan Wingo, and Jaden Reddell.

4. Ohio State

Losing a top in-state prospect like Jordan Marshall — from a stronghold in Cincinnati — was no small cut for the Buckeyes. But it’s fair to say they had a pretty decent month themselves, securing four-star twin offensive linemen Deontae Armstrong and Devontae Armstrong.

Ohio State was a little later to the party in offering than a few others, but the appeal of the in-state program and a chance to play for one of college football’s elite schools was too much to pass up. The Buckeyes currently sit at No. 3 in the 2024 class rankings, and April has a chance to be a banner month if the chips fall right.

5. Oklahoma

After a monstrous close to the 2023 cycle, including flipping five-star safety Peyton Bowen away from Oregon in December, Oklahoma has been taking things show in 2024.

Heading into March, they didn’t have a single commitment, but four-star defensive back Jeremiah Newcombe changed that with his decision earlier this month. Now the Sooners weren’t the only program to get a 2024 commitment, but what put them on this list is the addition of 2025 quarterback Kevin Sperry.

The Prosper (Texas) Rock Hill star is one of the country’s top passers in the rising junior class, and he immediately gives Brent Venables an early cornerstone to build his 2025 class around.