I think Edwards’ agent likely leaked his interest in Michigan as a stalking horse. My guess is Edwards was always reluctant to come to Michigan to place hold for Underwood, but also knew that Michigan interest would drive up his price. He went to WI first, hoping they would set a high enough price (to compete with Michigan’s NIL deal) that he was comfortable negotiating up with others from there. Michigan may have been offered the opportunity to significantly overbid, and declined.

Login to view embedded media
- Bad Weather
- Flu
- 5 big plays
- Cheating
- Cheating again
- Paying off coaches and players
- It’s not a big deal we’re in the playoffs it doesn’t matter

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Or do we??.

The younger guys are going to bust their butts. Marshal and Hall this is there NC game. Whoever is on the OL and DL are going 1000%. This is there time to get in to the mix for 2025. You think Alabama wants to play in this game? We got a shot to play well and give Alabama a game.

In an absolutely classic case of overplaying one's hand, OSU felt the need to "spend more", probably to make the appearance of addressing issues by pointing at how much money they spent. But all of the change was really just for the appearance of improvement vs actual improvement.

They recruit to the media, and perceptions of power by over signing the glitz positions and having more "toys on the shelf" just in case.

People on this very site were split over the addition of Howard- But many were marveling at OSU's signees while others looked at Howard as the "meh" QB he actually is.

Doubling down, OSU spent NIL $ on not one but two 5-star QB recruits from the 2024 class. To this day I'm still not quite sure why signing Sayin after signing Noland was necessary- Especially considering the fact that Devin Brown (now in the portal) took backup snaps to Howard.

So now, I'm assuming that they start Howard in whatever games they have left; Unless OSU goes on a run behind Howard's play, this dude played himself into OFA status as far as being drafted...basically in the same (or maybe worse considering his big game performances so far) position he was in before he left KSU.

The further fallout will be this: The only QBs who at this point right now are on OSU's projected 2025 roster will be two RS freshmen former 5-stars with zero playing experience, plus another even more highly touted true freshman 5-star expecting early PT, in St. Clair.

My bet is that OSU will be forced to go to the portal again, because one, or maybe even both of the 5-stars they signed in 2024 will hit the portal. St Clair puts them in basically the same position Michigan is in, but instead of a Jadyn Davis-level recruit as QB 3 in that scenario, OSU instead has the #s 2 and 3 QB of 2024, expected to "sit tight" which is ridiculous to the point of being humorous.

That's the issue when a program recruits as if it's some kind of "flex"...Fans can brag for about one year about how many 5-star QBs they have on their roster, and the idea of how much money their program spent in the portal goes stale really fast when that program doesn't look any better on the field. In fact, I'd say that the overkill that has led to many of their class's lofty rankings are mostly empty calorie recruits who never play a role on that team...Despite demanding big $ to sign.

They have stockpiled, in just four recruiting classes (2021-2024) nine elite (5.9-6.1 RR) WR recruits including four 5-star recruits (according to Rivals, Marvin Harrison Jr was a 5.9 RR 4-star).

What team needs a depth chart of 9 elite WR$, when the offense annually only uses 3? How often are they going to use that 9th WR?

The QB glut was already mentioned.

But doesn't it seem like their OL has been thin? Beset with injuries?

OSU's 2025 class has three OL committed and of course 4 more WRs

They actually had the audacity to compare their store-bought team of big-name recruits and former five-star prospects to the actual TEAM Michigan put together last season. I close my eyes and imagine the carnage that last season's team would've laid on these 2024 OSU fools.

As for the future of these OSU Super Classes- Who knows?

If Day and OSU flop in the BCS, Day may be out, and OSU will get absolutely raided, pillaged, and looted for whatever big-time talent is on that roster.

Nothing would make me happier to see it all tumble down.

Josh Henschke, Trevor McCue, and Brock Heilig discuss the early changes for Michigan Football with players declaring for the draft, portal offers and visits, those who stay and those who still may go.

Login to view embedded media

M&BR has the latest from Michigan's Reliaquest Bowl practices.

Now that we are past the first signing day and are into bowl game practices it seems like a good time to talk about what'd we'd like to see the program accomplish going into next year. There are a few big questions marks out there in terms of the coaching staff, finishing the 2025 recruiting class, and portal targets that will need to be addressed. Below I've identified what I think are the biggest questions marks we have going into the off season and how I would like to see them addressed. There are a lot of different ways things could go so this is only one view, but I thought this was a good place to start the conversation. I'll likely add more about OL, DT, and CB portal targets tomorrow.

• OC candidates -
  • This is probably the biggest question that needs to be answered. Coaching hires are so hard to predict, especially at the assistant level. Often times guys with big resumes flop, unknown guys emerge as stars, and second choices end up being home run hires. This search has been quiet but of the names I've seen thrown around Tanner Engstrand is the most interesting to me. None of the candidates seem sure things but I think Engstrand has a lot of upside. His resume reads a lot like Mike MacDonald's and he could really do well in the role. He has experience as a OC (at San Diego) and has been around one of the best offensive minds in the NFL for the past few seasons. It's a big gamble but I like the potential. If Engstrand was the choice I'd hope they'd also bring in a separate QB coach. I've said this a few time now but with the NCAA removing the coaching limit I don't see any down side to hiring as many folks as possible. Let the OC and DC float between positions groups and have dedicated coaches for QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, DL, Edge/OLB, LB, CB, S, and special teams. identify your 10 best recruiters and send them on the road.
  • My top choice - Tanner Engstrand
• 2025 class
  • The group that signed last week was great! We could leave the class as is and be in a really good position going forward. That said it seems like there are still some high level targets available and we have a few more needs that could be addressed. It's always tricky navigating high school recruiting with portal targets but that is especially true this year as teams have to get down to the new 105 limit. Given the number of portal options the staff is likely to have I wouldn't focus a ton of effort on late signees. That said go get Ty Haywood (4 star, #37 overall, #5 OT) and Zahir Mathis (4 star, #55 overall, #4 WDE). Those are two top 100 guys at positions that really matter. It would also give you a set of elite (from a recruiting standpoint) bookends on the offensive (Haywood and Babalola) and defensive (Marshall and Mathis) lines. Adding them would make an already great class even better
  • How I would finish the 2025 class
    • Ty Haywood - 4 star, #37 overall, #5 OT
    • Zahir Mathis - 4 star, #55 overall, #4 WDE
• Portal targets
  • This is a little bit tougher to project because there are so many unknowns right now. So I'm going to approach this as a point in time want list and only identify some targets at positions that I think are the biggest need right now.
    • QB - Bryce may be good enough to start from day one but I don't want him to HAVE to start from day 1. It would be nice to have someone who has experience but at the very least you need quality depth. These are my three top choices based on who is in the portal right now.
      1. Miller Moss - USC - I still think Moss is the ideal candidate. I know the buzz has died down a bit but he would be a great mentor for Bryce, is talented, and would significantly raise the floor for next year's team. If the program wants to continue the momentum it has built the past month they need to make the playoff next year and I think Moss gives them the best chance to do so.
      2. Maalik Murphy - Duke - Murphy would actually be my top choice but I'm not sure if he's realistic. He's proven he can play at a high level and would raise both the floor and ceiling of the program. He does have multiple years of eligibility but if he came here and had a big season he'd likely go pro after next year. So Bryce wouldn't be significantly impacted by his arrival. Get the money cannon loaded up and go get him haha! I am a little curious about why he's leaving Duke. It seemed like a good set up for him.
      3. Kaidon Salter - Liberty - I think Salter is a bigger question mark than Moss because it's an up transfer but he would still be solid. I'm not sure Salter would be as likely to beat out Bryce Underwood for the starting position so it might be tougher to convince him to come here.
      4. Tyler Van Dyke - Wisconsin - This would be a bit of a risk because of his injury history but might be worth taking a shot. Michigan recruited him out of high school and Van Dyke was solid at Miami before getting hurt at Wisconsin last year. He is a guy who could provide depth and also push for the starting job. He could also be a good fit.
    • WR - Michigan needs to add more talent to the room. This is especially true if Bryce is the starter. If you have a true freshman at the WR position you need guys who can make his life easier (see Henne in 2004). I like Marsh a lot but even if he's ready to play from day one he needs to be surrounded by some veteran guys on the outside.
      1. Dane Key - Kentucky - He has improved every year he has been in college and is a prove outside WR. He'd make a great addition to the roster.
      2. Barion Brown - Kentucky - I actually think both of these guys were really good at Kentucky and would immediately be out top 2 wideouts. The also seem to be low maintenance with is an important trait for WRs in our program.
      3. Tyler Morris - Michigan - I might catch some flack for this one but I still think Morris is a talented WR. He plays hard and has made some big plays over the years. Once an OC gets named and we have a better sense of the QB room, I'd try to throw a bit more NIL his way to get him back on the roster.

So what do you all think? What does your wish list look like? Who are some portal targets you'd like to see added and who is your top choice at OC? I'll likely add more about OL, DT, and CB portal targets tomorrow, but this seems like a good place to stop for tonight.

One of the great mysteries of the universe.

It happened again. Ruled a touchback after review.

Login to view embedded media

Jackson Cantwell. Stud.

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

With the news of Orji transferring, I think it’s a foregon conclusion that Bryce elll be the starter and Davis will be the backup.

I think Underwood is just that good. He’s a generational talent.

Cal State Poly OL Brady Norton is visiting Michigan tomorrow, his agents have informed me.

One of the top OL in FCS.

With Derrick Moore and TJ Guy likely back for 2025, we have some more clarity on the Michigan defense in 2025.
Here's a depth chart breakdown of who is leaving, returning, joining, and what other moves Michigan could look to make.
🔗🔽

M&BR has the latest transfer portal news and notes.

Was recently offered by Michigan. Has a handful of visits already set up.

I spoke with Williams today, there is interest in Michigan and he is working around his schedule to see if he can fit a visit in or not. TBD there.

Rumored to have punched Coleman Hawkins in practice. Also rumored not to have been his first incident in practice. Word around Manhattan is he's going to be dismissed from the program.

M&BR has the latest on Miller Moss and potential interest in Michigan

GO ARMY!

Login to view embedded media

Lost 25+ players to the portal and can’t field a whole team so they have to bail on their bowl.

Whoever gets their place has lost valuable practice time, too.

Login to view embedded media

Login to view embedded media
Will Johnson, too. No mention of SM.

https://www.espn.com/college-footba...ahoma-transfer-qb-jackson-arnold-picks-auburn

Gotta wonder where Miller Moss will end up