National Signing Day Preview: Final predictions for remaining Michigan targets

National Signing Day is officially here. Michigan heads into the day with the No. 16 recruiting class nationally but has a chance to rise up the rankings based on today’s action.

Here are my final predictions for remaining Michigan targets.

WR Nitro Tuggle, Nappanee (Ind.) Northwood

Michigan appeared to be a contender to flip Tuggle away from Georgia in the fall. The Top 100 prospect seemed open to other options and is a teammate of 2024 U-M commit Jo’Ziah Edmond. Michigan also offered a chance to stay closer to home and compete for a starting job right away. Tuggle was even slated to visit for The Game, before his own state championship caused him to cancel. Michigan was hopeful it could get Tuggle on campus before signing day, but it didn’t happen.

Prediction: Georgia

WR Gatlin Bair, Burley (Idaho) High

Michigan has the lead for Bair on the On3 Recruiting Prediction and is trending in the right direction after visiting for The Game last month. While I don’t have my own prediction in, I do feel confident that Michigan is the team to beat for the Top 100 prospect. However, Bair is unlikely to make a decision today. According to multiple sources, Bair is expected to take his recruitment into the late period. And that means that Oregon is still very much in play here.

Prediction: No decision; push

EDGE Lugard Edokpayi, Forestville (Md.) Bishop McNamara

An On300 prospect, Edokpayi is a true late senior riser that didn’t notch his first Power Five offer until October. Edokpayi was forced to build relationships with coaches on the fly and cram in official visits. Michigan hosted him for his final OV, which led me to put in an On3 Prediction in favor of the Wolverines. Edokpayi values academics and development, making Michigan a no brainer. Still, Maryland has continued to push and is pitching him on staying closer to home. Minnesota is also involved.

Prediction: Michigan

EDGE Deshawn Warner, Goodyear (Ariz.) Desert Edge

Michigan extended an offer to Warner this fall and made a push to get him on campus for an official visit. However, that never happened. The On300 prospect is happy with his verbal pledge to Kansas and has remained solid despite both U-M and Ohio State entering the mix. Michigan has kept in contact with Warner over the last month, but the staff just hasn’t created any movement.

Prediction: Kansas

DB Zaquan Patterson, Miami (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna

Michigan appeared to be in a strong position for Patterson after hosting him for two summer visits. However, the Top 100 prospect opted to stay closer to home and committed to Miami in late August. Michigan remained in contact throughout the fall and was expected to get him back on campus for The Game. However, that visit never happened. Patterson seems comfortable with Miami, and the Hurricanes obviously play a different game when it comes to NIL.

Prediction: Miami