The early signing period has arrived as the class of 2025 football recruits can officially sign with college programs across the country.
Follow along with M&BR's live blog of the day's festivities.
LIVE BLOG
- Bobby Kanka is the first commit of the day to officially sign
Recruiting Story: The Michigan native has been a Wolverine commit since August but Sparty took another shot and got him on campus after the coaching changes this offseason. Kanka shut down his recruitment again and has been one of the more consistent commits, had a very strong season for Howell.
Outlook: Kanka has played all over the line on both sides of the ball, including tight end on offense. Currently a defensive end, most expect Kanka to end up on the interior, likely playing 3T as a defensive tackle. Kanka is a disrupter at the line, a great block shedder. He will be solid rotational piece and eventual starter for Michigan.
- Donovan Johnson is officially in
Recruiting Story: After a knee injury that robbed him of his junior season, Donovan Johnson fell through the cracks a bit in terms of the recruiting rankings due to his loss of time on the field. U-M running backs coach Tony Alford saw Johnson as a fit for the program and pushed hard for Johnson despite recovering from a knee injury.
Outlook: A track-and-field speedster, Johnson has the makings to be a lightning-fast running back prospect from the Wolverines the further out he gets from his knee injury. With a depth chart that is yet to have a clear number-one starter, Johnson will get the opportunity, at the very least, to come in and compete for snaps with Jasper Parker.
- Travis Moten has committed to Michigan and will be signing with the Wolverines.
Recruiting Story: A late identification by the staff, a strong senior season had the Wolverines all over Travis Moten. A late visit to campus sealed the deal as Moten makes a signing day decision.
Outlook: An impressive frame and still relatively raw, Moten projects to be a 'project' at defensive line who will need a little bit of seasoning before he sees the field. If his promise holds, Moten could be an underrated take who turns into a very productive defensive end.
- Jamar Browder is next
Recruiting Story: Browder is another flip Michigan was able to secure late in the cycle as he was committed to NC State for over five months before deciding on the Wolverines in early November. Wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy and head coach Sherrone Moore were able to build a solid relationship with Browder after getting him on campus a couple times before he flipped.
Outlook: At 6-foot-4, Browder has the prototypical size to be an outside-the-numbers, downfield type of wide receiver who can be a vertical threat and win contested balls to help his quarterback out. At Santaluces (Fla.), that’s exactly what he has shown on film, along with an ability to gain yards after the catch.
- Avery Gach is next up
Recruiting Story: Gach is a Michigan native and appeared to be a long-time Michigan lean. That doesn’t mean the Wolverines didn’t have to fight for his commitment. Michigan State worked hard, and when Chris Kapilovic went to Alabama, he also recruited Gach there. In the end, Gach stayed home, giving Michigan its guard of the future.
Outlook: I have said this entire cycle that I thought Gach was a five-star talent who was heavily undervalued because of his future at guard. Zak Zinter, Trevor Keegan, Ben Bredeson. This is the type of player Michigan got in Gach. He has the size and technique to be a dominant run blocker and could start early in Ann Arbor.
- Chase Taylor is in
Recruiting Story: Michigan LB coach Brian Jean-Mary quickly identified the Georgia native as someone who was a target for the program and didn’t waste any time bringing him into the fold. Committed to the program since June, Taylor was the first LB prospect committed to the 2025 class.
Outlook: With some development and time under the strength and conditioning program, Taylor has the makings to be a multi-year contributor on special teams and on defense due to athleticism alone. A raw prospect, he will need some time before he sees the field on a consistent basis for the Wolverines’ defense.
- Signee Avery Gach speaks with our Dennis Fithian about joining the Wolverines program.
- Eli Owens is in.
Recruiting Story: Every class has a player who works overtime as a recruiter. For this class, that was Eli Owens. The home schools of Tennesee and Kentucky took a run at Owens, but he spent a lot of time in Ann Arbor and has been all in for Michigan since committing in January.
Outlook: Owens is a unique tight end and likely a perfect fit at Michigan. He’s only 6’1”, so many programs wouldn’t use him as a traditional tight end. Owens has far better hands than he gets credit for and will be a receiving weapon in college. He’s also a physical and mean-spirited blocker. Owens is likely looking at a Max Bredeson-like role, playing HBack and FB, but he should be a better weapon in the passing game.
- Benny Patterson is next up.
Recruiting Story: Patterson had been committed to Cincinnati since April before flipping to Michigan in November thanks to the work of first-year defensive line coach Lou Esposito. Patterson is a three-star but had a healthy list of offers from Penn State, USC, LSU, Florida State and others.
Outlook: Patterson is an athletic defensive tackle who has a quick first step and is very good at rushing the passer for an interior lineman. He will put on weight to transform himself in becoming a good run stopper in the Big Ten as well. If not, he shows some of the traits of being able to play on the edge. Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant will likely depart for the NFL, so Michigan will need some guys to step up at tackle. Patterson will have to work his way up the depth chart behind the likes of Trey Pierce and some other young players with potential at the position.
- Jacob Washington is in.
Recruiting Story: Despite a late push by Missouri, the Wolverines hold on to the four-star receiver who committed to the Wolverines program in June alongside high school teammate Jasper Parker. Washington made multiple trips to campus during the summer and his connection with New Orleans native Ron Bellamy was a catalyst in choosing the program.
Outlook: With the Wolverines lacking size and a true boundary threat, Washington could be a candidate for early playing time depending on how the depth chart shakes out moving forward. Also depending on how the program addresses the position during the offseason. Washington’s athleticism is a net-plus for the Wolverines.
- Shamari Earls is in.
Recruiting Story: The month of November was largely a success for Michigan on the recruiting trail, as Shamari Earls got the ball rolling on the flips for the month when he committed to the Wolverines after being pledged to Georgia since July. Defensive backs coach Lamar Morgan did nice work with Earls to convince him to become a Wolverine.
Outlook: Earls started as a three-star early in his recruitment, but shot his way up the boards and worked himself to four-star status recently. Many believe his talent and development should have earned him a spot well within the Rivals250. Regardless, Earls is a physical cornerback with good technique and man-to-man coverage ability. He does an excellent job of reading receivers routes and has a nice change of direction to be able to stay with them and on top of routes. He also played receiver at his high school and made plenty of plays from that position as well to further showcase his athleticism. With Will Johnson departing to the NFL and other Michigan cornerback grad transfers in their last seasons, there could be a chance for Earls to see some early playing time.
- Nate Marshall is in.
Recruiting Story: In a bit of a whirlwind recruitment, the Wolverines shocked the world by landing the surprise flip of Nathaniel Marshall the day before the early signing period ended. An early commit in the Sherrone Moore era, Marshall had been committed to the Wolverines for a few months before he flipped to Auburn. Last through the summer and the football season, the Wolverines made a quiet push and managed to get the flip done.
Outlook: Playing multiple positions across the defensive line, where he projects at the next level all depends on how he develops from a physical standpoint. Where things stand at the moment from a physical level, Marshall has all the makings to be a athletic defensive end for the Wolverines. A multi-sport athlete with a high motor, he could certainly be on a trajectory to be a contributor for the Wolverines within at least two seasons.
- Jasper Parker is up next.
Recruiting Story: Parker started as an underrated running back with an impressive offer list that included Alabama, Oregon, USC, and more. Michigan joined the list in March. The Louisana native attends the same high school from which wide receiver coach Ron Bellamy graduated. Michigan was able to get Parker’s commitment, and a breakout senior season saw him rise in recruiting rankings. Rivals has him the #11 RB in the country.
Outlook: At 6’0” 200lbs, Parker has the size and speed to be an every down back at the next level. Michigan is losing Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings next season, so there will be competition for reps. Currently, Michigan has Ben Hall, Jordan Marshall, and Micah Ka’apana as likely contributors next season. Transfer portal activity could change this room, but Parker should have a chance to see the field in rotations and could be the future at RB by 2026 and 2027.
- M&BR's Dennis Fithian interviews Elijah Dotson ahead of signing with the program.
- Andrew Marsh is in.
Recruiting Story: Marsh committed to the Wolverines in August and Michigan won his recruitment over the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Ohio State, Penn State and others. With a number of impressive offers, schools tried to get him off of that Michigan commitment, but the Wolverines ultimately prevailed.
Outlook:The wide receiver room is one of the most open position groups on the Michigan roster. The Wolverines just didn’t have anyone step up in 2024, and Tyler Morris is in the transfer portal. I expect the Wolverines to address the position in the portal, but someone like Marsh could come on campus and compete for a spot with how things are now. Marsh has the ability to get open quickly off the line of scrimmage in man coverage, and has game-changing speed in the open field to make things happen after the catch.
- Andrew Babalola is in.
Recruiting Story: Sherrone Moore did some nice early work with Babalola when he was the offensive coordinator/offensive line coach under Harbaugh. Moore continued to recruit Babalola when he became head coach, and first-year offensive line coach Grant Newsome made an assist to help finish the process. Babalola is a high four-star with a long list of impressive offers, but in the end it came down to Michigan and Stanford, with the Wolverines winning out.
Outlook: Babalola is exactly the type of offensive line prospect the program needed, especially after taking a step back up front in 2024. The Wolverines have some young guys on the roster who could develop into something special, such as Blake Frazier, but there may be room for Babalola to find his way in the rotation as a true freshman, with a chance of starting next year. He has very good footwork and balance and is already relatively far along in his development at the tackle position.
- M&BR's Dennis Fithian chats with signee Eli Owens
- M&BR's Dennis Fithian chats with signee Shamari Earls
- Jordan Young is in.
Recruiting Story: What a roller coaster it has been with Jordan Young. An athlete in every way, Young plays all three phases and three sports. When it comes to football, he’s an electric receiver but his high football IQ made him a target at safety for most teams. The North Carolina native made a lot of visits to Clemson and NC State, but Michigan made a big push this summer. Once a NC State lean, Young committed to Clemson in November. A month later, he was flipping to Michigan.
Outlook: What we know is Young is a freak and will play. Young is a plus tackler, excellent in man and zone coverage, get force fumbles, break up passes, and get interceptions. Will he play safety, nickel, both? The comp here is a lot of pressure, but it’s obvious. Rod Moore. Young brings that kind of versatility to the position, and should be a force in future Michigan defenses.
- Julius Holly is in.
Recruiting Story: Another summer identification from the staff, this time by Lou Esposito, the Wolverines beat out some heavy-hitters for Julius Holly’s services with the likes of in-state Georgia, Ole Miss and Texas A&M. It didn’t take long after the Wolverines got involved for Holly to make a multi-day visit to campus in the summer and the program held onto the momentum to seal his commitment and his signing.
Outlook: A multi-sport athlete, Holly is a true defensive end in U-M’s defensive scheme who showcases some intriguing athleticism after two productive high school years. With some development and time in the strength and conditioning program, Holly could see himself in the rotation at DE at some point.
- Kaden Strayhorn is in.
Recruiting Story: Kaden Strayhorn made waves in the Michigan community this summer as the MSU legacy shocked the state by donning the winged helmet instead of the Spartan green and white. The four-star prospect has played good competition for IMG Academy the previous two seasons.
Outlook: Projecting to be an interior lineman for the Wolverines, there’s a strong possibility that Strayhorn could see time both as a guard or a center. However, he might project long-term as a center prospect who could compete with 2024 signee Jake Guarnera for playing time in the future.
- Kainoa Winston is in.
Recruiting Story: It felt like Winston would end up at Penn State for quite some time, but the Wolverines won him over during a summer official visit, and he chose Michigan. Winston also canceled visits to Oregon and North Carolina. Winston was a big win for defensive backs coach Lamar Morgan. Rivals has Winston lower rated than most services. He projects as an impact playmaker in college.
Outlook: Winston is physical and a track star. Winston is listed as a safety, but with his versatility, he could also get run at nickel for Michigan. That versatility was a big reason Michigan was attracted to Winson so he will get an opportunity to carve out a spot early. The secondary room could see much change this offseason between graduates and likely depatures. Winston could get into rotations next season, but has all the tools to be the next great Wolverine DB.
- Michigan gets MASSIVE news as five-star linebacker Nathaniel Owusu Boateng has committed to the Wolverines.
- Owusu-Boateng is in.
Recruiting Story: It had long felt Michigan would have to fight hard to keep Owusu-Boateng away from Notre Dame, but after every visit or connection with Michigan, the Wolverines made a mark. Following his visit in September, Michigan looked to be right there with Notre Dame. Then, following his most recent visit on November 2, it looked like Michigan could be in the driver's seat for his commitment. Owusu-Boateng was at Notre Dame the next week, but the Irish felt they were clearly behind and decided to move on to other prospects. After a visit to Colorado, some thought the tide may have swung again, but in the end it was Michigan.
Outlook: Owusu-Boateng is a massive win for Brian Jean-Mary, and gives the Wolverines a top talent for the middle of its defense. Owusu-Boateng could be competing for a starting job as freshman, depending on what Michigan does with Jaishawn Barham, and potentially moving him to the edge position. Either way, he is a physical and quick linebacker in a defensive scheme built for him to thrive.
- M&BR's Dennis Fithian chats with Kaden Strayhorn about signing with the Wolverines.
- Elijah Dotson is in.
Recruiting Story: Dotson is another Belleville product that the Wolverines were able to pull away from another program, as he was committed to Pittsburgh before flipping to Michigan in November, just a day before Underwood. The Wolverines recruited really well within the state this cycle, securing four of the state’s top five prospects (Underwood and Dotson are No. 1 and 2).
Outlook: Dotson is listed as an ATH on his player profile, and it’s because of his versatility and ability to play several positions. He likely transitions to safety at the next level with his aggressiveness in run support and hard-hitting prowess, but also has solid coverage skills and was a very good wide receiver in high school on the offensive side of the ball.
- Last but not least for the day, Bryce Underwood is in.
Recruiting Story: Michigan secured arguably its biggest recruiting victory of all-time when the staff was able to flip the No. 1 quarterback in the nation after being committed to LSU for nearly a year. Being an in-state prospect, the Wolverines were always a factor in Underwood’s recruitment as he grew up and went to high school just over 20 miles from Ann Arbor. But an aggressive NIL push coupled with a strong effort from head coach Sherrone Moore and general manager Sean Magee kept Underwood home.
Outlook: Underwood has the makings to be the next great quarterback at Michigan and beyond that into the NFL. He has the size, arm strength and athleticism to ascend his game to a level that could help carry the Wolverines to some very successful seasons. He will likely become the first quarterback in program history to start as a true freshman since Chad Henne in 2004.
- M&BR's Dennis Fithian chats with Michigan signee Jacob Washington on National Signing Day.
- Jayden Sanders is in. All that is left is waiting on Andrew Olesh's decision.
Recruiting Story: The Texas native was identified over the summer by LaMar Morgan and, typical with Morgan this cycle, was relentless in his pursuit of the three-star prospect. After multiple visits to campus during the summer, the Wolverines fought off Oklahoma State for Sanders’ commitment.
Outlook: A three-sport athlete, Sanders is a long-bodied prospect who could play either side of the ball but projects long-term to be a boundary corner for the Wolverines. A TCU legacy, his football pedigree is off the charts and has all the makings to be a multi-year contributor for the Wolverines.
- A late addition to the class, Chase Herbstreit has been officially announced for the Wolverines' 2025 class.
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