The best quotes from Michigan's BBQ at The Big House

Michigan is coming off a successful annual late July BBQ at The Big House recruiting event, and dozens of top prospects ventured to Ann Arbor to enjoy the festivities.

The Wolverine examines the most significant quotes from the weekend.

Top 100 WR Andrew Marsh, Katy (Tex.) Jordan, 2025

Industry Ranking: No. 62 Overall, No. 11 Wide Receiver, No. 13 in Texas
On3 Ranking: No. 167 Overall, No. 24 Wide Receiver, No. 27 in Texas
RPM: Michigan (89.2%), Texas (2.3%), USC (1.7%), Oklahoma (1.2%)
Past U-M Visits: 7/27/24, 6/4/24, 7/30/23, 5/31/23

What Andrew Marsh Said: “What really made it different from some of the other visits was the freedom. I’ve been up there a ton, obviously, so they gave me the freedom to get done what I needed to get done. I saw everything else I needed to see. We got to go float down the river, which was cool. Other than that, we chilled at The Big House, spent some time at the BBQ and looked at some real estate.”

Four-star DL Bobby Kanka, Howell (Mich.) High, 2025

Industry Ranking: No. 393 Overall, No. 34 Defensive Lineman, No. 5 in Michigan
On3 Ranking: No. 34 Defensive Lineman, No. 5 in Michigan
RPM: Michigan Verbal Commit
Past U-M Visits: 7/27/24, 6/21/24, 4/20/24, 11/25/23, 10/14/23, 6/16/23, 7/30/23, 6/21/23, 4/1/23, 3/28/23, 10/29/22, 10/15/22, 7/30/22, 4/2/222, 3/27/22, 3/16/22

What Bobby Kanka Said: “It feels great. I just want to be completely transparent…I just had to get with the new staff and see what they were about. I did that, I got great vibes, and I feel like I’ll become a better person and player being around them. That’s really all I needed to know and we’re locked in.”

On300 DB Joey O’Brien, Glenside (Pa.) La Salle, 2026

Industry Ranking: No. 107 Overall, No. 11 Safety, No. 4 in Pennsylvania
On3 Ranking: No. 203 Overall, No. 16 Safety, No. 5 in Pennsylvania
RPM: Notre Dame (92.3%), Penn State (4.0%), Michigan (1.2%), Florida State (1.0%)
Past U-M Visits: 7/27/24

What Joey O’Brien Said: “I don’t have numbers yet, but they are a top school, and I’m really interested in them. They visualize what I can do and where I can be. They showed me that if you’re a player, you’ll play early. That plays a big part for me.”

Top 100 OL Greg Patrick, Portage (Mich.) High, 2026

Industry Ranking: No. 121 Overall, No. 7 Interior Offensive Lineman, No. 2 in Michigan
On3 Ranking: No. 74 Overall, No. 5 Interior Offensive Lineman, No. 1 in Michigan
RPM: Michigan State (35.9%), Notre Dame (19.8%), Michigan (16.9%), Oklahoma (5.8%)
Past U-M Visits: 7/27/24, 5/31/24, 3/30/24, 9/23/23, 6/21/23

What Greg Patrick Said: “I’m definitely starting to feel really comfortable there. It’s definitely a place I’ve obviously been to a decent amount of times now, so it’s become a pretty cool place to be. Getting to talk to Coach Newsome with him a lot, getting to talk football with him and all the guys in the football department. It’s definitely become a really familiar place so far. My family has really enjoyed what Michigan has to offer. Really good education, and the university just speaks for itself alone. Obviously, the football is just the cherry on top of what Michigan has to offer.”

On300 DB Jayden McGregory, Des Moines (Iowa) Valley, 2026

Industry Ranking: No. 160 Overall, No. 11 Athlete, No. 1 in Iowa
On3 Ranking: No. 182 Overall, No. 15 Athlete, No. 2 in Iowa
RPM: Nebraska (37.3%), Iowa State (17.1%), Minnesota (14.6%), Michigan (12.2%)
Past U-M Visits: 7/27/24

What Jayden McGregory Said: “It was great. It was just a lot going on, coach interactions. It was just amazing. It’s really just the way the people interact with each other. You can tell everybody wants to be there. Everybody loves each other. They’re true to themselves. That just makes the campus so much better.”

Four-star OL Felix Ojo, Mansfield (Texas) Lake Ridge, 2026

Industry Ranking: No. 194 Overall, No. 18 Offensive Tackle, No. 22 in Texas
On3 Ranking: No. 31 Offensive Tackle, No. 54 iN Texas
RPM: Oklahoma (28.6%), Texas (17.0%), Alabama (14.5%), Michigan (6.4%)
Past U-M Visits: 7/27/24

What Felix Ojo Said: “The Michigan offer means a lot to me, especially since it’s one of the top schools that always send linemen to the league. What stands out to me about the program is just the culture.”

On300 WR Payton Cook, Akron (Ohio) Archbishop Hoban, 2026

Industry Ranking: No. 237 Overall, No. 39 Wide Receiver, No. 9 in Ohio
On3 Ranking: No. 300 Overall, No. 48 Wide Receiver, No. 15 in Ohio
RPM: Michigan (57.0%), Pitt (20.5%), Kentucky (9.2%), Louisville (7.7%)
Past U-M Visits: 7/27/24, 6/17/24, 4/20/24, 11/25/23, 6/14/23

What Payton Cook Said: “I’m always really comfortable when I come here. Every time I’m here, it always feels like home. They always treat me with great hospitality. I never feel like a stranger, like I’m just another player visiting. So, I always feel great when I come here. My interest is definitely going up the more I come.”

On300 OL Canon Pickett, Tampa (Fla.) Tech, 2026

Industry Ranking: No. 308 Overall, No. 28 Interior Offensive Lineman, No. 58 in Florida
On3 Ranking: No. 294 Overall, No. 21 Interior Offensive Lineman, No. 56 in Florida
RPM: Florida (41.4%), Miami (19.0%), Michigan (16.3%), USF (1.2%)
Past U-M Visits: 7/27/24

What Canon Pickett Said: “They are definitely one of the schools that are higher up for me. I’m glad I got to visit because I got to learn a lot about them. I really liked the program.”

Three-star TE Lincoln Keyes, Saline (Mich.) High, 2026

Industry Ranking: No. 362 Overall, No. 17 Tight End, No. 7 in Michigan
On3 Ranking: No. 20 Tight End, No. 11 in Michigan
RPM: Michigan (43.1%), Michigan State (15.5%), Pitt (13.3%), Purdue (5.8%)
Past U-M Visits: 7/27/24, 6/5/24, 4/5/24, 3/30/24, 3/28/24

What Lincoln Keyes Said: “I’ve grown up there. Like, I’m always in Ann Arbor, so I know that whole town really well. I know the best food spots. It feels like home to me. Honestly, I still have pretty much the same interest. It’s definitely one at the top of my list. It’s up there with some schools, and I’m really interested.”

Three-star WR Jaylen Pile, Southlake (Tex.) Parish Episcopal School, 2026

Industry Ranking: No. 461 Overall, No. 79 Wide Receiver, No. 59 in Texas
On3 Ranking: No. 131 Wide Receiver, No. 99 in Texas
RPM: Oklahoma (32.8%), Arkansas (14.7%), Michigan (12.6%), Virginia Tech (10.5%)
Past U-M Visits: 7/27/24, 4/7/24

What Jaylen Pile Said: “They are up there. I want to keep an open mind. There is still a lot of time before I make a decision, but Michigan is moving really high up there. They show a lot of love.”

Rising EDGE Jacob Alexander, Frankfort (Ill.) Lincoln-Way East, 2026

Industry Ranking: No. 502 Overall, No. 33 EDGE, No. 9 in Illinois
On3 Ranking: No. 37 EDGE, No. 10 in Illinois
RPM: Michigan (62.4%), Purdue (5.0%), Illinois (4.3%), Cincinnati (3.5%)
Past U-M Visits: 7/27/24

What Jacob Alexander Said: “It’s definitely high. They’re definitely one of the highest schools right now. I’m definitely coming to a game.”

Rising ATH Anthony Cartwright, Detroit (Mich.) Country Day School, 2027

Industry Ranking: N/A
On3 Ranking: N/A
RPM: Michigan (60.9%), Ohio State (9.6%), Tennessee (8.2%), Alabama (6.9%)
Past U-M Visits: 7/27/24, 6/17/24, 3/28/24, 11/4/23, 6/14/23, 3/20/22

What Anthony Cartwright Said: “I’m really liking it. It feels like home. It’s right around the corner, so it’s in-state. I always feel welcomed when I go there. I (also) feel really confident when I go workout with the coaches.”

Rising EDGE Jaxon Holly, Alpharetta (Ga.) High, 2027

Industry Ranking: N/A
On3 Ranking: N/A
RPM: Michigan (63.2%), Ole Miss (28.9%), Georgia Tech (2.3%), Austin Peay (1.9%)
Past U-M Visits: 7/27/24, 6/7/24

What Jaxon Holly Said: “You (have Aidan Hutchinson) now at the Lions and (has) been having outstanding years. These seniors on the team are doing very well and can’t wait to see what they bring to this team this year. The edges are just going to be coming every year and doing good like my brother (EDGE commit Julius Holly) will do.”

Eleanor Marsh, Mother of Top 100 WR Andrew Marsh

What Eleanor Said: “The atmosphere was really good. I saw a different change and shift this year. Like I said, Coach (Sherrone) Moore is more approachable. He was really out there with the people. I liked that a lot.”

Rod Hiter, Father of Top 100 RB Savion Hiter

What Rod Said: “I can definitely see him fitting in because of the culture. Savion looks for the best out of himself and his teammates. All that work ethic right there (at Michigan) is what he stands for.”

Adam McCann, Mentor of Top 100 RB Savion Hiter

What Adam Said: “After seeing it, I think he fits in more than I originally thought. To actually go there, see the coaches, see the strength and conditioning team, see the NIL stuff, see the locker room upgrade they are releasing on Monday, I know they are going to have all the resources Savion needs. They explained everything. I see why kids want to be there. They show you how to get to the end result.”