Four-star DB Elijah Dotson flips commitment from Pitt to Michigan

Michigan has scored another key win on the recruiting trail.

Four-star 2025 Belleville (Mich.) High safety Elijah Dotson flipped his commitment from Pitt to Michigan following his official visit over the weekend.

“It’s my hometown (team), and everyone loves Michigan football,” Dotson previously told The Wolverine.

Dotson was originally a top target for former Michigan cornerbacks coach Steve Clinkscale. However, interest from both sides seemed to fade with Clinkscale made the leap to the NFL, and the Wolverines brought in new secondary coach LaMar Morgan.

Michigan jumped back in the mix this fall. Both Morgan and head coach Sherrone Moore were consistent with contact and got Dotson on campus for multiple games.

At 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, Dotson is a versatile piece on the back end who can play multiple spots. Dotson will likely start off at nickel, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him become more of a true safety or even a corner.

“I watch Michigan’s DBs all the time,” Doston said. “I mean, Will Johnson came out of (the state of) Michigan. Whenever I watch him, I feel like I can become that type of player.”

Dotson is ranked as the No. 20 athlete and No. 243 overall prospect in the country, per the On3 Industry Ranking. He is also ranked as the No. 2 overall recruit in the state of Michigan this cycle.

Michigan now has 19 commits in its 2025 recruiting class — Dotson, five-star Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest offensive tackle Andrew Babalola, Top 100 Chester (Va.) Thomas Dale cornerback Shamari Earls, Top 100 Katy (Texas) Jordan wide receiver Andrew Marsh, Top 100 Center Valley (Pa.) Southern Lehigh tight end Andrew Olesh, On300 Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga defensive back Kainoa Winston, On300 Alpharetta (Ga.) High EDGE Julius Holly, On300 Kilgore (Texas) High cornerback Jayden Sanders, On300 New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw wide receiver Jacob Washington, On300 Palatine (Ill.) High EDGE Jaylen Williams, On300 New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw running back Jasper Parker, On300 Newburgh (Ind.) Castle defensive lineman Benny Patterson, four-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy running back Donovan Johnson, four-star Birmingham (Mich.) Groves offensive lineman Avery Gach, three-star Howell (Mich.) High defensive lineman Bobby Kanka, three-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy offensive lineman Kaden Strayhorn, three-star Stockbridge (Ga.) High linebacker Chase Taylor, three-star Lake Worth (Fla.) Santaluces wide receiver Jamar Browder and three-star Alcoa (Tenn.) High tight end Eli Owens.

The class entered the day ranked No. 11 nationally and No. 3 in the Big Ten, per the On3 Industry national team recruiting rankings. The Wolverines currently sit behind Ohio State and Oregon.