Wolverine TV: Michigan coaches hit the road to see top targets

Several topics were discussed on The Wolverine live Tuesday recruiting show, including the Michigan coaching staff hitting the road to see top targets, like five-star Zephyrhills (Fla.) High safety DJ Pickett, with the contact period underway.

Watch the video above.

Pickett Recruitment

Pickett returned to Michigan in late November for the game against Ohio State, his fourth visit on campus. A legacy of the university, Pickett’s mother graduated from U-M.

Co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale traveled to Zephyrhills on Tuesday to meet with Pickett at his school.

Here’s what The Wolverine recruiting analyst EJ Holland had to say about where Michigan stands for Pickett.

“Pickett remains the most important prospect in the 2025 class (for Michigan) and the most important guy on the board,” Holland said. “He has many ties to Michigan; his mom went to Michigan, he’s had relatives who’ve worked for Michigan, his brother went to Eastern (Michigan), and his grandmother still lives in Metro Detroit. On and on as far as connections. His mom is very pro-Michigan and his dad is starting to buy in as well.

“The thing with DJ is…the relationship with Clinkscale is so strong, and I don’t think Clink is going anywhere unless Michigan brings in a different head coach that’s not Sherrone Moore, or if (Jim) Harbaugh doesn’t stick around. I think that’s the pitch to Pickett. ‘You still have all these ties to Michigan. You still have an opportunity to come in and make an early impact for the defending national champions.'”

At 6-foot-3, 170 pounds, Pickett is listed as the No. 1 safety and No. 1 player in the state of Florida, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four primary recruiting media services. On3 ranks Pickett as the No. 6 overall prospect nationally.

Michigan has three verbal commitments in the 2025 recruiting class – On300 Ft. Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith, four-star Howell (Mich.) High defensive lineman Bobby Kanka, and three-star Alcoa (Tenn.) High tight end Eli Owens. The latter announced his decision on January 4 after two game-day visits in November.

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