Relationships, path to playing time have Michigan surging for top recruits despite on-field struggles

The Early Signing Period is one month away and, surprisingly, it’s Michigan that’s at the forefront of the recruiting world.

The Wolverines haven’t inked a top-10 recruiting class, per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings, since the 2022 cycle, but head coach Sherrone Moore and his staff have found some major momentum on the trail heading into November.

On Oct. 21, Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest five-star Andrew Babalola, the No. 18 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking, announced his commitment to U-M. On Nov. 1, Newburgh (Ind.) Castle On300 four-star defensive lineman Benny Patterson flipped from Cincinnati and Chester (Va.) Thomas Dale four-star cornerback Shamari Earls, On3’s No. 23 recruit, flipped from Georgia.

Those dominoes falling in the direction of Ann Arbor have bumped the Wolverines’ 2025 class up to No. 10 in the nation. It looks to be just the beginning for the Big Ten program, too, as Michigan is also trending up with multiple top recruits that were on campus this weekend.

In the eyes of On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong, Michigan’s message is resonating, despite a difficult season on the field this fall.

“Michigan’s coaching staff has done a really great job of building meaningful relationships with their top prospects,” Wiltfong told On3’s Josh Newberg on Saturday night. “They have a lot to point to, obviously, with this program. They’re the defending national champs, the NFL Draft has been good to them year in and year out, their culture within their football facility is up there with the likes of Clemson and such in college football. When prospects get on campus they feel that family aura around the program.”

Comfortability, potential playing time is catching the eye of top recruits

The Wolverines now have 18 commits in their class and are on the hunt for more. Flip rumors surrounding Belleville (Mich.) Five-Star Plus+ quarterback and LSU commit Bryce Underwood have intensified, while the likes of Tampa Wiregrass Ranch four-star CB Graceson Littleton, Detroit Cass Tech Colorado four-star CB commit Alex Graham and Lake Worth (Fla.) Santaluces NC State three-star WR commit Jamar Browder were in Ann Arbor.

While talks surrounding a change in Michigan’s approach to NIL are making some noise, there’s also a clear path to early playing time for some of the blue-chippers still considering the Maize and Blue.

That, along with some strong relationships that are being bolstered by Moore and his staff, have Michigan in position to potentially make a push for a top-five class across the coming weeks.

“Michigan has a lot going for it on the trail and Shamari Earls was a guy that they never backed off of. The connection, the family feel he gets around Sherrone Moore, Lamar Morgan, the way those guys make them feel comfortable. The way they’ve developed defensive backs, what they’ve done with Will Johnson, an opportunity to play early,” Wiltfong said.

“There’s going to be opportunities in every position room to play early and help get Michigan going again — Andrew Babalola, the five-star offensive tackle, said as much when he committed to Michigan less than two weeks ago. These guys are hungry to get into Ann Arbor and get Michigan back on track. The Wolverines are 5-4 right now, it’s been a tough schedule, a tough loss to Oregon, but I think they’re trending for some more wins on the recruiting trail moving forward.”