Meet the signees: Bryce Underwood headlines 22-man class ranked No. 9 nationally

Michigan Wolverines football‘s 2025 recruiting class inked 22 verbal commits during the early signing period, headlined by No. 1 overall prospect and Five-Star+ quarterback Bryce Underwood out of in-state Belleville.

Possessing two five-star commitments and 13 pledges listed as four stars, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four primary recruiting media companies, Michigan heads into the winter with the No. 0 overall on the 2025 On3 Industry National Team Recruiting Rankings. 

Here is a look at all of U-M’s signees this cycle.

Five-star+ QB Bryce Underwood

Commitment Date: November 21, 2024
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
School: Belleville HS
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 214lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 1 Overall, No. 1 Quarterback, No. 1 in Michigan
Other Notable Offers: LSU, Ohio State, Michigan State, Alabama, Penn State, Tennessee, Florida, Miami, Texas, Oregon, Georgia
How We Got Here: Michigan pulled off the unthinkable a few weeks before signing day by closing out the flip over Underwood, the nation’s top overall prospect, from LSU. He committed to the Tigers back in January, but U-M kept in contact behind the scenes and put the full court press on this fall, ultimately landing the top-ranked quarterback in the country.
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Five-star OT Andrew Babalola

Commitment Date: October 21, 2024
Hometown: Overland Park, Kansas
School: Blue Valley Northwest
Height: 6-foot-5.5
Weight: 295lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 15 Overall, No. 3 Offensive Tackle, No. 1 in Kansas
Other Notable Offers: Oklahoma, Missouri, Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, USC, Ole Miss, Georgia, Oregon, Penn State, Miami (FL), Florida
How We Got Here: Babalola was considering making a decision during the summer, but wound up extending his recruitment into the fall after overtures from Stanford, Auburn, Oklahoma and Missouri all made their pitches, in adding to the Wolverines. Michigan was the constant, though, and he ultimately picked them due to academics and a history of developing talented offensive linemen.
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Top 60 EDGE Nate Marshall

Commitment Date: December 3, 2024
Hometown: Oak Park, Illinois
School: Fenwick
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 265lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 59 Overall, No. 7 Defensive End, No. 3 in Illinois
Other Notable Offers: Auburn, Texas, Alabama, Notre Dame, Miami, Illinois, Iowa, Oregon, Ohio State, Tennessee, Florida, USC, Penn State
How We Got Here: Marshall had originally committed to Michigan before flipping to Auburn, but defensive line coach Lou Esposito kept pushing and was able to flip him back into the class just before signing day, giving them a blue-chip prospect on the defensive line.
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Top 100 CB Shamari Earls

Commitment Date: November 1, 2024
Hometown: Chester, Virginia
School: Thomas Dale
Height:  6-foot-2
Weight: 205 lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 68 Overall, No. 10 Cornerback, No. 2 in Virginia
Other Notable Offers: Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Penn State, Alabama, Tennessee, LSU, USC
How We Got Here: The Wolverines were able to flip Earls away from Georgia, landing one of the most valued defensive backs in the country with the potential to come in and compete for a big role right away in the cornerback rotation. Defensive backs coach Lamar Morgan put in the work to secure the commitment of one of the team’s blue chip prospects in the 2025 cycle.
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Top 100 WR Andrew Marsh

Commitment Date: August 20, 2024
Hometown: Katy, Texas
School: Jordan High
Height: 6-foot-0.5
Weight: 175 lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 90 Overall, No. 13 Wide Receiver, No. 17 in Texas
Other Notable Offers: Texas, USC, LSU, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Colorado
How We Got Here: After Michigan saw wide receiver Phillip Wright decommit and flip to LSU in early August, the reigning national champions nabbed Marsh less than two weeks later. Wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy and the staff have had a relationship with Marsh going back a couple of years, and they were able to get the playmaker on campus three times in the summer, including an official visit on Victors Weekend, and later for the annual BBQ at The Big House.
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Four-star DB Kainoa Winston

Commitment Date: June 14, 2024
Hometown: Washington D.C.
School: Gonzaga College
Height: 5-foot-10.5
Weight: 184 lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 108 Overall, No. 10 Safety, No. 1 in Washington D.C.
Other Notable Offers: Penn State, Oregon , UNC, Ohio State, LSU, USC
How We Got Here: Winston was considered to be a Penn State lean leading up to his June official visit schedule, which had Michigan first on the docket. But the Wolverines sold Winston and his family on the cultural aspect of the program and overall scheme fit. Winston is projected as a nickel at the next level. New defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan did an excellent job of building a relationship with Winston this offseason.
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Four-star DB Elijah Dotson

Commitment Date: November 20, 2024
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
School: Belleville
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 170 lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 158 Overall, No. 20 Cornerback, No. 2 in Michigan
Other Notable Offers: Pittsburgh, Michigan State, Penn State, Tennessee, Iowa, Indiana
How We Got Here: Michigan grabbed its highest-ranked commit to date in-state by flipping Dotson away from Pittsburgh. The Wolverines had been a bit disengaged in his recruitment after Steve Clinkscale’s departure last winter, but LaMar Morgan re-ignited the relationship this fall and helped deliver a player that could have a future in a number of roles on the back end.
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On300 CB Jayden Sanders

Commitment Date: August 10, 2024
Hometown: Kilgore, Texas
School: Kilgore High
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 175lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 170 Overall, No. 22 Cornerback, No. 26 in Texas
Other Notable Offers: Baylor, Oklahoma State, TCU, SMU, Kansas State, Texas Tech
How We Got Here: Sanders made his first-ever visit to Michigan in mid-June and later returned for the annual late July BBQ at The Big House. Defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan prioritized Sanders this summer, ultimately notching his third commitment of the cycle. Sanders is the first true 2025 cornerback to choose the Wolverines.
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On300 S Jordan Young

Commitment Date: December 1, 2024
Hometown: Monroe, North Carolina
School: Monroe
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 180lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 172 Overall, No. 13 safety, No. 6 in North Carolina
Other Notable Offers: North Carolina State, Clemson, Flordia State, South Carolina, Duke, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Notre Dame
How We Got Here: Young committed to Clemson in November before flipping to the Wolverines a few weeks later, citing during his signing day event that Michigan had better defensive backs in the class and that he wanted to be a part of it.
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On300 LB Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng

Commitment Date: December 4, 2024
Hometown: Manassas, Virginia
School: IMG Academy
Height: 6-foot-0.5
Weight: 200lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 188 Overall, No. 19 LB, No. 25 in Florida
Other Notable Offers: Notre Dame, Florida, Ohio State, USC, Miami, Colorado, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, Alabama, Oregon
How We Got Here: One of Michigan’s top targets took it all the way to national signing day before making his commitment to U-M, who withstood a push from Colorado in landing the four-star linebacker.
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On300 WR Jacob Washington

Commitment Date: June 24, 2024
Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana
School: Archbishop Shaw
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 180 lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 213 Overall, No. 25 Wide Receiver, No. 8 in Louisiana
Other Notable Offers: Baylor, Georgia Tech, Missouri, Miami, Penn State, Ole Miss, Florida State
How We Got Here: Washington pulled the trigger on his commitment the Monday after Michigan’s big Victors Weekend when he took his official visit. He also saw the Wolverines in the spring, attending a practice, and was enamored by the energy in the building and on the field. Michigan wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy, a fellow Louisiana native, has been key in this recruitment.
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Four-star OL Avery Gach

Commitment Date: May 3, 2024
Hometown: Birmingham, Michigan
School: Groves High
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 290lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 272 Overall, No. 21 Interior Offensive Lineman, No. 3 in Michigan
Other Notable Offers: Ohio State, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Penn State, Georgia, USC
How We Got Here: Gach became the second in-state 2025 prospect to commit to Michigan following a trio of spring returns, with the final appearance in Ann Arbor coming for the intrasquad scrimmage. Head coach Sherrone Moore and Newsome were instrumental in keeping the priority mauler close to home. Since the 2022 season, when Gach first stepped foot on campus, he’s taken a total of 10 unofficial visits to U-M.
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Four-star DL Benny Patterson

Commitment Date: November 1, 2024
Hometown: Newburgh, Indiana
School: Castle
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 240 pounds
Industry Ranking: No. 298 Overall, No. 25 Defensive Lineman, No. 7 n Indiana
Other Notable Offers: Cincinnati, USC, LSU, Penn State
How We Got Here: U-M opened the month with another flip in the form of Patterson, who had previously been committed to Cincinnati. Defensive line coach Lou Esposito helped seal the deal after a visit for the Michigan State game, giving the Wolverines another moldable piece up front for the future.
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On300 EDGE Julius Holly

Commitment Date: June 29, 2024
Hometown: Alpharetta, Georgia
School: Alpharetta High
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 230 lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 341 Overall, No. 34 EDGE, No. 46 in Georgia
Other Notable Offers: Georgia, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Penn State, Alabama, Oklahoma, USC, Michigan State, Indiana
How We Got Here: Holly made an official visit to Michigan in early June and was blown away by his experience. The academics and his relationships with the coaches — including defensive line coach Lou Esposito — were key reasons why he sided with the Maize and Blue. Holly grew up in New Jersey, the same state that Esposito is from.
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On300 RB Jasper Parker

Commitment Date: June 15, 2024
Hometown: Marrero, Louisiana
School: Archbishop Shaw
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 200lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 346 Overall, No. 25 Running Back, No. 13 in Louisiana
Other Notable Offers: Oklahoma State, UNC, Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, USC
How We Got Here: Parker shut down his recruitment while on his official visit to Michigan June 15. He first made the trip to Ann Arbor two months ago, where he connected well with new running backs coach Tony Alford, who made the junior a key target throughout the spring. Area recruiter Ron Bellamy has strong ties in the New Orleans area and graduated from the same school that Parker currently attends.
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On300 RB Donovan Johnson

Commitment Date: June 23, 2024
Hometown: Savannah, Georgia
School: Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
Height: 6-foot-0.5
Weight: 210 lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 473 Overall, No. 37 Running Back, No. 63 in Florida
Other Notable Offers: Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, USC
How We Got Here: Johnson committed to Michigan on the heels of a June 19 unofficial visit. He’s built a strong bond with running backs coach Tony Alford and got to meet head coach Sherrone Moore for the first time while in Ann Arbor, with the two hitting it off.
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Four-star DL Bobby Kanka

Commitment Date: August 1, 2023
Hometown: Howell, Michigan
School: Fenwick High 
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 265lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 477 Overall, No. 45 Defensive Lineman, No. 10 in Michigan
Other Notable Offers: Penn State, Michigan State, Tennessee, Syracuse, Kansas, Minnesota
How We Got Here: Kanka is the longest-serving 2025 commit for Michigan. He eclipsed the double-digit mark in visits to Ann Arbor on his late July BBQ at The Big House appearance last year, which led to him deciding to don the maize and blue at the next level. Mike Elston was previously Kanka’s lead recruiter, but the junior has connected with Esposito this offseason, and his relationship with Moore first developed a couple of years ago.
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Three-star OL Kaden Strayhorn

Commitment Date: June 23, 2024
Hometown: Novi, Michigan
School: Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
Height: 6-foot-2.5
Weight: 285 lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 526 Overall, No. 46 Interior Offensive Lineman, No. 69 in Florida
Other Notable Offers: Ohio State, Alabama, Miami, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida State, LSU, USC, Penn State
How We Got Here: Strayhorn is a Michigan State legacy, but he’s headed to Ann Arbor. The main reason: new head coach Sherrone Moore, who’s built a great relationship with Strayhorn over the past couple years. New offensive line coach Grant Newsome was also a big factor. Strayhorn and his family had seen enough following their visit for Victors Weekend and decided to make it official. Strayhorn is one of the centers of the future for the Maize and Blue.
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Three-star WR Jamar Browder

Commitment Date: November 8, 2024
Hometown: Lake Worth, Florida
School: Santaluces HS
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 205 lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 543 Overall, No. 89 Wide Receiver, No. 70 in Florida
Other Notable Offers: NC State, Florida Atlantic, Georgia Tech, West Virginia, Indiana, Syracuse
How We Got Here: Wide receivers coach/pass game coordinator Ron Bellamy has been searching for more size to add to the Michigan wide receiver room and it did so when it flipped Browder away from NC State in the second week of November.
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Three-star TE Eli Owens

Commitment Date: January 4, 2024
Hometown: Alcoa, Tennessee
School: Alcoa High
Height: 6-foot-1.5
Weight: 230lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 583 Overall, No. 32 Tight End, No. 20 in Tennessee
Other Notable Offers: Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio State, Cincinnati, Alabama, Mississippi State
How We Got Here: Eli Owens publicly announced his pledge to the Wolverines three days after the team took down Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Projected as an H-back, Owens has built a rapport with new tight ends coach Steve Casula this spring, and continues to be a staunch supporter of Moore succeeding Jim Harbaugh as head coach.
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Three-star LB Chase Taylor

Commitment Date: June 24, 2024
Hometown: Stockbridge, Georgia
School: Stockbridge High
Height: 6-foot-2.5
Weight: 201 lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 689 Overall, No. 74 Linebacker, No. 80 in Georgia
Other Notable Offers: USC, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Florida State, LSU, Clemson, Kentucky
How We Got Here: Taylor picked Michigan over finalists Georgia Tech and USC, with defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and position coach Brian Jean-Mary playing major roles. Development at the linebacker position was also something that stood out to Taylor.
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Three-star EDGE Travis Moten

Commitment Date: December 4, 2024
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
School: Fern Creek Traditional
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 250lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 964 Overall, No. 87 EDGE, No. 11 in Kentucky
Other Notable Offers: Texas Tech, Western Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan
How We Got Here: Michigan fans got an early signing day surprise when it landed the raw EDGE prospect, who was identified by the staff as a late bloomer with 20 sacks as a senior.
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