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Michigan offer catches attention of emerging DL Montana Toilolo

On3 imageby:Ethan McDowell•about 10 hours•

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Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore looks on from the sideline in the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore looks on from the sideline in the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore and the rest of the staff spent a lot of time out west during the January evaluation period. During one of those trips, he extended an offer to coveted class of 2027 defensive lineman Montana Toilolo. 

The Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei standout plays for one of the best high school programs in the country. He’s a sophomore but already holds offers from the Wolverines, Auburn, Miami and a handful of West Coast Power Four schools. 

Mater Dei hosted a college showcase, and plenty of coaches made the trip out to Southern California to watch the 6-2, 255-pound defensive lineman. He credited his peers with helping him improve and attracting attention to the school, and he caught Michigan’s eye during the showcase. 

“I think the teachings of my older teammates— my seniors, juniors, also my coaches—I feel like they played a big role in helping me develop as a player, helping to get these college coaches to come out and watch me and my teammates play,” Toilolo said. 

He noticed the Wolverine staff watching him during the one-on-one competition, and he ended up adding a Michigan offer to his growing list of scholarships. 

“I was shocked, I was happy, I was excited because it was a top school,” Toilolo said. “They’re a big school. It’s a good top pick as a school that I’d consider one of my top schools right now, so I’m just glad and grateful that they offered me.”

Toilolo recorded 15 total tackles (5 for loss) and 1 sack as a sophomore while playing for a team loaded with elite talent. UCLA is one of the teams showing strong interest in the defensive lineman, who is already considered a four-star prospect with Rivals. 

Moving forward in his recruiting process, he wants to learn more about Michigan’s culture and get to know the coaches better. The Wolverines have his interest thanks to their history with player development. It also helps that admires future first round NFL Draft pick and Michigan star Mason Graham. 

“I love watching him and seeing how he plays,” Toilolo said. “He’s another guy I look up to to watch and try to play [like] and be as talented as him and probably be like him one day and try to make my way into the draft. I just love the way he plays.”

The standout defensive lineman said he wants to find a school that feels like home— a place where people driven towards greatness surround him. He’s looking for a brotherhood where everyone has each other’s back. 

His bond with Michigan remains in its early stages, but he wants to make the trip from California to Ann Arbor to learn more about the program. 

“Hopefully soon I can go up there and try to connect to the coaches and get to meet them and know them well,” Toilolo

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