Signee Spotlight: Top 100 DL Benny Patterson on late flip to Michigan, Lou Esposito, more

The Wolverine’s EJ Holland sat down with Top 100 Newburgh (Ind.) Castle defensive lineman Benny Patterson to talk about signing with Michigan and more.

Watch the full Q&A at the end of this story.

Patterson Recruitment

Michigan was in the market for a defensive lineman late this cycle and put an offer on the table for Patterson.

The late-rising prospect was originally committed to Cincinnati but flipped to the Wolverines shortly following a visit to Ann Arbor. Patterson also held offers from LSU, Penn State and USC.

Here is what Holland had to say about Patterson.

“Benny was a great flip late in the process,” Holland said. “Defensive linemen sometimes blossom late in the process, and Benny was definitely one of those guys. He has a great frame with the ability to add plenty of weight and be a 4i or even a three-technique. However, he also has plenty of experience rushing the passer. Patterson is one of the more fascinating takes of the cycle and could be a steal for U-M. He has plenty of upside.”

Patterson is set to enroll early at Michigan.

At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Patterson is ranked as the No. 7 defensive lineman and No. 77 overall prospect nationally, per On3. He is also ranked as the No. 2 overall recruit in the state of Indiana.

Michigan has 22 commits in its 2025 recruiting class — five-star Belleville (Mich.) High quarterback Bryce Underwood, five-star Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest offensive tackle Andrew Babalola, Top 100 Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick EDGE Nate Marshall, Top 100 Chester (Va.) Thomas Dale cornerback Shamari Earls, Top 100 Monroe (N.C.) High safety Jordan Young, Top 100 Katy (Texas) Jordan wide receiver Andrew Marsh, On300 Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga defensive back Kainoa Winston, On300 Alpharetta (Ga.) High EDGE Julius Holly, On300 Kilgore (Texas) High cornerback Jayden Sanders, On300 New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw wide receiver Jacob Washington, On300 Newburgh (Ind.) Castle defensive lineman Benny Patterson, On300 New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw running back Jasper Parker, four-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, four-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy running back Donovan Johnson, four-star Birmingham (Mich.) Groves offensive lineman Avery Gach, three-star Howell (Mich.) High defensive lineman Bobby Kanka, three-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy offensive lineman Kaden Strayhorn, three-star Stockbridge (Ga.) High linebacker Chase Taylor, three-star Lake Worth (Fla.) Santaluces wide receiver Jamar Browder, three-star Louisville (Ky.) Fern Creek defensive lineman Travis Moten and three-star Alcoa (Tenn.) High tight end Eli Owens.

The class is ranked No. 9 nationally and No. 3 in the Big Ten, per the On3 Industry national team recruiting rankings. The Wolverines currently sit behind Ohio State and Oregon.