On3's NFL comps for Michigan's 2025 recruiting class

Michigan will finalize its 2025 recruiting class Wednesday, Feb. 5, on National Signing Day. The Wolverines will hear the decision of Top 100 offensive tackle Ty Haywood early tomorrow morning and then the class will be complete, barring any specialist surprises. 

On3 gives out 32 five-star ratings every recruiting cycle because there are 32 first-round picks in the NFL Draft. Professional projection is a key part of the scouting process as these recruits prepare to begin their college careers. 

During On3’s evaluations, the staff compared four Michigan signees to current NFL players, including a lofty Josh Allen comparison for Five-Star+ quarterback Bryce Underwood.

Five-star+ QB Bryce Underwood— Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills 

Underwood finished the 2025 cycle as the No. 1 recruit in the country and the first prospect to ever receive a “100” player grade from On3. He’s viewed as a potentially generational quarterback prospect, leading to this comparison alongside one of the NFL’s leading MVP candidates. 

“Bryce Underwood’s high-end physical traits with his elite combination of arm strength and athleticism remind us of what we’ve seen from Josh Allen,” On3 wrote. “At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Underwood is an explosive passer and runner capable of beating defenses in multiple ways, similar to Josh Allen. Underwood is a much more touted prospect out of high school than Allen, who played a season at the junior college level prior to advancing to college football.”

Allen checks in at 6-5, 237 pounds, while Underwood measures 6-4, 214. They have similar frames and skill sets. The Michigan quarterback has a rocket launcher of an arm and the ability to extend plays that leads to comparisons as lofty as this one. Allen was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. 

Five-star OT Andrew Babalola— Broderick Jones, Pittsburgh Steelers

Andrew Babalola, the No. 14 overall recruit and No. 4 tackle in the 2025 class, did not start playing football until late in his high school career, making his first varsity start as a junior. All four major recruiting services consider him a Top 50 recruit, and he’s an Industry five-star prospect. 

On3 compared him to Broderick Jones, a first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jones was the No. 14 overall selection in the 2023 draft out of Georgia and a former five-star recruit and the No. 1-ranked tackle nationally. 

“Andrew Babalola’s frame, athleticism and developmental upside remind us of Broderick Jones at the same stage,” On3 wrote. 

Babaoloa started his athletic career as a basketball player before developing into an elite tackle prospect at 6-5.5, 295 pounds. Jones checks in at 6-5, 311 pounds and started 17 games at right tackle for the Steelers this season. 

Top 100 safety Kainoa Winston— Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Kainoa Winston and Antoine Winfield both measure as slightly undersized safeties with elite skill sets. On3 ranks Winston higher than any other recruiting service at No. 44 nationally. He’s the No. 4 safety prospect nationally and drew a comparison to Winfield— a 2023 first-team NFL All-Pro selection.

“Kainoa Winston’s frame, athleticism, play speed, and versatility remind us of Antoine Winfield,” On3 wrote. “Winston is a bit bigger at the same stage.”

Winfield was a star for Minnesota and landed in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft at the No. 45 overall pick. He recorded 60 total tackles over 9 games last fall. 

Top 100 cornerback Shamari Earles— Jeff Okudah, Houston Texans 

Shamari Earls is a Top 100 recruit with three of the four recruiting services and likely would be ranked a lot higher than No. 97 in the industry if the 6-2, 205-pound cornerback did not miss his senior season due to injury. He flipped from Georgia to Michigan before signing in December.

He’s a tall, talented outside corner who On3 compared to Houston Texan cornerback and Ohio State standout Jeff Okuda. The former Buckeye star was considered one of the best defensive back prospects in recent NFL Draft history. Detroit picked him with the No. 3 overall selection in 2020. 

Okudah was the No. 1 corner in the country coming out of high school and an All-American at Ohio State. Even though his professional career has not panned out based on expectations, this comparison shows how much On3 likes Earls. 

“Shamari Earls’ advanced size and plus athleticism reminds us of Jeff Okudah at the same stage,” On3 wrote. 

Four-star offensive tackle Ty Haywood— Cody Ford, Cincinnati Bengals

Haywood has not shared his commitment yet but continues to trend strongly towards Michigan with fewer than 24 hours to go until his announcement. He dropped a little in the most recent rankings updates across the industry but remains the No. 48 recruit in the country and No. 8 tackle nationally.

Standing 6-5, 297 pounds, Haywood showed On3 shades of Cody Ford’s versatility and skill set.

“Ty Haywood’s athleticism, play strength and positional versatility reminds us of Cody Ford,” On3 wrote. “Like Ford, Haywood is a strong, explosive offensive lineman capable of playing tackle or guard at the next level.”

Ford was a second-round pick out of Oklahoma who played both tackle spots and left guard for the Bengals over 9 starts this season. He was a three-star recruit.