Michigan flips top DL target Benny Patterson away from Cincinnati

Michigan has scored an important win on the recruiting trail.

Three-star Newburgh (Ind.) Castle defensive lineman Benny Patterson flipped his commitment from Cincinnati to Michigan on Friday morning.

Patterson’s decision comes less than a week following his official visit for the game against Michigan State. It was there where the Wolverines built the momentum needed to eventually land him.

“The culture has been very impressive,” Patterson’s father, Benny Jr., told national analyst Steve Wiltfong during last weekend’s visit. “You can tell why players commit here. The Big House exceeded expectations. It was the loudest arena we’ve ever been in. The fans are passionate and love their team.  The program is something special and it’s definitely high on the list.”

Patterson was scheduled to visit USC this weekend. However, it no longer appears that trip will be happening.

Patterson originally committed to Cincinnati back in April. However, Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito offered Patterson this fall and made a strong push to flip him. Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore was also personally involved in this recruitment.

At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Patterson is ranked as the No. 65 defensive lineman and No. 681 overall prospect nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking. He is also ranked as the No. 10 overall recruit in the state of Indiana this cycle.

Michigan now has 17 commits in its 2025 recruiting class — Patterson, five-star Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest offensive tackle Andrew Babalola, Top 100 Katy (Texas) Jordan wide receiver Andrew Marsh, Top 100 Center Valley (Pa.) Southern Lehigh tight end Andrew Olesh, Top 100 Winter Garden (Fla.) West Orange safety Ivan Taylor, 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, 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 and three-star Alcoa (Tenn.) High tight end Eli Owens.

The class entered the day ranked No. 12 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.