Michigan makes first direct contact with top 2025 recruiting targets
Typically, the first day in which college personnel are allowed to directly contact 2025 recruits is on September 1. But this year, the green light was given Tuesday for schools like Michigan to reach out.
The only communication that could be facilitated between staffers and incoming juniors before Tuesday was either through on-campus visits, prospects making the first move by calling the coaches or the recruiters calling a player’s high school coach.
Michigan wasted little time by sending out correspondence graphics to a number of offered or interested players in the 2025 class at midnight with more athletes going to social media to share the photo later in the day, signaling their conversation with the coaches over the phone or text.
Three-star University of Detroit (Mich.) Jesuit defensive back target Elijah Dotson tweeted out the graphic at 2:00 a.m. EST. The in-stater is coming off his visit to Michigan last weekend for the annual BBQ at The Big House.
Here’s part of what Dotson told The Wolverine about his return trip: “The barbecue was great. I had a good time. The first day, we worked out with Coach (Steve) Clinkscale. We met all of the families. Everyone had to introduce themselves in the room which I thought was really cool.”
Four-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy interior offensive lineman Kaden Strayhorn sent his out at 6:38 a.m. EST. A native of Novi, Michigan, Strayhorn took his second visit to Ann Arbor this past June.
Despite being a Michigan State legacy, Strayhorn has told The Wolverine‘s EJ Holland that his recruitment will remain open: “It was fun. I had a private workout with Coach (Sherrone) Moore. One thing that was new was they have a giant touch screen TV, and you pick a team trip they’ve been on like South Africa, and you can see their experiences. I thought was really cool. You get a life changing experience if you go to Michigan.”
Another sent out correspondence graphic came from On300 Arlington (Tex.) Mansfield Timberview defensive lineman Dilan Battle, whose current frame is at 6-foot-3, 315 pounds. He picked up the Michigan offer back in February.
On300 DeSoto (Tex.) High running back Deondrae “Tiger” Riden included the Michigan graphic in a single tweet next to graphics from Texas, Alabama and SMU. Riden is the No. 11 overall running back in the country, according to the On3 Industry Ranking and has yet to visit Ann Arbor.
Others like On300 Jersey City (N.J.) Henry Snyder linebacker DJ McClary, On300 Atco (N.J.) Winslow Township cornerback Cameron Miller and rising Charlotte (N.C.) North Mecklenburg defensive lineman Charles House went to Twitter and posted the Michigan graphic.
The Wolverines are currently ranked in the Top 15 in the 2025 On3 Industry National Team Recruiting Rankings and No. 4 overall in the Big Ten Conference behind Penn State, Ohio State and Nebraska. Top 100 Miami (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna defensive back Chris Ewald and rising Buford (Ga.) High linebacker Mantrez Walker are the two verbal commits for U-M.
