ADVERTISEMENT

Recruiting Our Olesh expectations…

Is that I don’t have any expectations, really. Could very well stick with Michigan, could flip to Oregon. PSU could get the last minute nod, too.

Unless word travels quickly, I’m going to be heading into this decision with whatever the outcome is going to be.

There’s points and scenarios to be made about all the outcomes. So we’ll just have to see what happens.

Football Defensive back Elijah Dotson details his journey to Michigan

Former U-M head coach Jim Harbaugh once told Elijah Dotson and his family early in his recruiting process, "if you can find a place better than here, then let me know."

Story on how those words stuck with Dotson as he details his journey to the Wolverines:

Eli Owens

After watching the TN 3A state championship today (his team won their 10th consecutive), a few thoughts;

-definitely passes the look test (will obviously need to bulk up some)
-could play a variety of positions (I assume offense at UM)
-his team ran the ball > 80%, so spent most of the time blocking (from H back)
-did have a couple of catches, 1 for TD
-I was VERY impressed when he was on defense. Constantly applying pressure on QB

A nice pick up for Michigan!
GO BLUE!!!

Miller Moss Visits

Login to view embedded media
Missouri has entered the equation.

One of the “problems” with getting Underwood is that you can’t go after anyone in the portal and tell them the job is theirs. They know they’re going to be competing with a very promising freshman. With 1 year of eligibility left it wouldn’t surprise me if some of these guys only consider programs where they’re a day 1 lock.

Doesn’t mean Michigan out of the equation for Moss or anyone else, but a little more to overcome. It’s a good “problem” to have, and there are many QBs out there so, no reason why Sherrone shouldn’t shop around either.

Locking up an OC is key, doubt many QB portal guys are going to consider Michigan seriously until that piece of the puzzle is solved. Will be a fun couple of weeks to see it all play out!

There is quite a bit of chatter about Ryan Day.

I keep hearing that some well-placed people say he's gone if he doesn't win it all. He's 66-10!

Is there a scenario in which Michigan has a coach who is 66-10, and we lose to OSU four out of those ten times, and there is a serious discussion about firing the guy?

I don't think there is. If they get rid of him, the OSU fanbase will be nuts.

Video Good Afternoon, Michigan Football; OC & portal focus

Former Wolverine Jerry Diorio joins the show and talks about UM's win over OSU, the transfer portal, UM's pursuit of a new OC and Jerry goes to the telestrator to go over key plays from Michigan in their win over Ohio State.
Breakdown
Open 00:00-3:22
Portal 3:23-6:46
Recruiting 6:47-8:45
OC's 8:46-30:54
Portal & recruiting 30:55-38:40
Film UM/OSU 38:41-1:09:19
Login to view embedded media

Building the foundation for a National Championship - Looking at how the 24 and 25 recruiting classes fit together (long)

The 2025 class has been a lot of fun to follow and has added a lot of talent into the program. But one class isn't enough to really move the needle in terms of the direction of the program. I usually use this argument when defending a lower raked class (eg 2018 or 2023 classes) to point out that as long as there are strong classes around a lower ranked class the program should be fine. So, while I'm pretty excited about the 2025 class I think it's important to look at how it fits together with the 2024 class. When you see how the two classes fit together I think we have even more reason to be excited. I think the 24 and 25 classes fit together well and provide what I think will be the foundation for another really great run. I think the 24 and 25 classes provide the same type of depth and talent as the 2020 and 2021 classes. 20 and 21 provided the base for our most recent run with some of the elite 22 guys (Will, Loveland, Graham, Grant, etc.) helping to push them over the top. I think that 2026 could do the same for this group. With the right adds from the 26 class and portal we have a roster that could win a NC within the next 4 years. Below you'll find a position by position roster breakdown based on the 2024 and 2025 recruiting classes, if applicable some remaining 2025 targets, and a few 26 prospects that could put them over the top.

  • QB
    • Bryce Underwood 2025 - 5 star, #2 overall, #2 QB
    • Jadyn Davis 2024 - 4 star, #59 overall, #5 QB
    • Comments
      • Obviously Bryce is a game changer but I don't think folks should sleep on Davis. He might leave but he also could provide good depth going forward and could continue to develop.
    • Summary:
      • 5 stars: 1
      • Top 100 players: 2
      • 4 stars: 1
    • 2026 targets
      • They'll still need a guy in the portal for this year and will need to add another in 26. Hart would have been great but there is still plenty of time to land a guy. I don't who that guy will be but I'm not worried about it. The 24 and 25 classes (and portal addition) have put the QB room in a good position.
  • RB
    • Jordan Marshall 2024 - 4 star, #53 overall, #2 RB
    • Jaspar Parker 2025 - 4 star #205 overall, #11 RB
    • Donovan Johnson 2025 - 4 star, #19 RB
    • Micah Ka'apana 2024 - 3 star, #27 RB
    • Comments
      • I really like the potential of Marshall and Parker. I think Parker might be the most underrated recruit in the 25 class. That said there are still some questions marks with the group and this is a position group where getting an elite target in 26 could be what puts the group over the top. Thankfully we have two very realistic options.
    • Summary
      • 5 stars: 0
      • Top 100: 1
      • 4 stars: 3
    • 2026 targets
      • Savion Hiter - 4 star, #27 overall, #1 RB
      • Javion Osborne - 4 star, #112 overall, #8 RB
      • Both guys have visited multiple times and would be great additions. Based the past week I saw we get them both haha.
  • WR
    • Andrew Marsh - 4 star, #114 overall, #18 WR
    • I'Marion Stewart - 4 star, #129 overall # 26 WR
    • Jacob Washington - 4 star, #54 WR
    • Jamar Browder - 4 star, #56WR
    • Channing Goodwin - 3 star #108 WR
    • Comments
      • Despite the lack of highly rated players I like the potential of this group. I think Marsh is criminally underrated and really like the potential of Washington. Those two give me some Roman Wilson and CJ vibes. This is a high ceiling group that should be ok but is another position group that could benefit from a high end 26 recruit or portal addition.
    • Summary
      • 5 stars: 0
      • Top 100: 0
      • 4 stars: 4
    • 2026 targets/commitments
      • CJ Sadler - 4 star, #30 overall, #4 WR
      • Jaylen Pile - 4 star, #46 WR (committed)
      • The 26 class is already off to a solid start. I'd try to lock Sadler up soon and then try to hit a home run with a bigger WR.
  • TE
    • Brady Preiskorn 2024 - 4 star, #156 overall, #8 TE
    • Andrew Olesh 2025 - 4 star, #163 overall, #5 TE
    • Eli Owens 2025 - 4 star, #13 TE
    • Hogan Hansen 2024 - 4 star, #29 TE
    • Comments
      • I generally don't worry about TE because we're always good there, but this is a really exciting group. I know there are some questions about if Olesh signs but even without him there is a lot to be excited about here. Hansen should a lot of flashes as a freshman this year. Preiskorn was highly recruited as well and Eli Owens seems like he's going to be a fan favorite. Olesh has Loveland upside and would add an elite prospect to an already great group. Michigan is also in on some really highly ranked kids in 26 and has two elite players in state in the 27 class.
    • Summary
      • 5 stars: 0
      • Top 100: 0
      • 4 stars: 4
    • 2026 targets
      • Brock Harris - 4 star, #37 overall, #3 TE
      • Jack Janda - 3 star, #30 TE
      • Again, the TE room is in pretty good shape so I would prioritize Harris and try to lock Janda up earlier. Even if they strike out in 26 there are two very good instate prospects at TE in the 27 class.
  • OL
    • Andrew Babalola 2025 – 4 star, #44 overall, #6 OT
    • Blake Frazier 2024 – 4 star, #83 overall, #6 OT
    • Avery Gach 2025 – 4 star, #130 overall, #4 OG
    • Andrew Sprague 2024 – 4 star, #14 OT
    • Luke Hamilton 2024 – 4 star, #24 OT
    • Ben Roebuck 2024 – 4 star, #37 OT
    • Kaden Strayhorn 2025 - 4 star #16 OG
    • Jake Guarnera 2024 – 3 star, #3 OC
    • Comments
      • Michigan still can add Haywood in the 25 class to an already impressive group. The guys here are likely to need a few years to develop but it's not impossible for someone like Babaloa, Sprague, or Frazier to have an early impact like Zinter did in the 2020 class.
    • Summary
      • 5 stars: 0
      • Top 100: 2
      • 4 stars: 7
    • 2025/2026 targets
      • Ty Haywood - 4 star, #37 overall, #4 OT
      • Too many 2026 targets to list
      • Michigan's teams have always been built inside out. There is a lot to like about the 24 and 25 classes along the offensive line, especially if they can add Haywood.
  • DL
    • Nate Marshall 2025 – 5 star, #26 overall, #2 WDE
    • Lugard Edokpayi 2024 – 4 star
    • Julius Holly 2025 – 4 star #29 WDE
    • Bobby Kanka 2025 – 4 star #13 SDE
    • Ted Hammond 2024 – 4 star #31 SDE
    • Owen Wafle 2024 – 4 star #21 DT
    • Devon Baxter 2024 – 3 star, #41 WDE
    • Dominic Nichols – 3 star # 40 SDE 3
    • Travis Moten 2025 – 3 star
    • Benny Patterson 2025 – 3 star
    • Deyvid Palepale 2024 – 3 star #35 DT
    • Manuel Beigel 2024 3 star #42 DT
    • Comments
      • This is a high ceiling group. It's missing some star power (minus Marshall) but you have a lot of guys with all the physical tools you're looking for in the position. There are some question marks so hopefully they are able to add Mathis in 25 and then some guys ready to contribute right, like Graham and Grant, in 2026.
    • Summary
      • 5 stars: 1
      • Top 100: 1
      • 4 stars: 5
    • 2025/2026 targets
      • Zahir Mathis 2025 - 4 star, #55 overall, #4 WDE
      • Luke Waffle 2026 - 4 star, #67 overall, #SDE
      • Michale Blade 2026 - 4 star, #99 overall, #7 WDE
      • I think if Michigan lands the three guys above then they're in really good shape. I won't pretend to know who will develop into an elite player from this group, but I'm confident someone will end up being elite. I would like to see them target an elite DT in 26. I just don't know who that would be right now.
  • LB
    • Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng 2025 – 5 star #28 overall #2 OLB
    • Cole Sullivan 2024 – 4 star #233 overall, #9 MLB
    • Chase Taylor 2025 3 star, #59 OLB
    • Zach Ludwig 2024 2 star
    • Comments
      • So this is the one position group that I think need the most help going forward. Obviously NOB and Sullivan are two great pieces to build around but the numbers are low. I like Taylor's potential but he's a bit flyer too. This should be a priority position in 26, imo
    • Summary
      • 5 stars: 1
      • Top 100: 1
      • 4 stars: 2
    • 2026 targets
      • I don't have a good sense of their top targets but hopefully they can land a few high level kids.
  • CB
    • Shamari Earls 2025 - 4 star, #24 CB
    • Jo'Ziah Edmond 2024 - 4 star, #33 CB
    • Jayden Sanders 2025 - 3 star, #12 CB
    • Jeremiah Lowe – 3 star, #33 CB
    • Comments
      • This this is one of the position groups where I think Rivals rankings are off. I think Earls and Sanders both have really high upside and could be elite. So while the position group my not look impressive on paper, I think we're in good shape here.
    • Summary
      • 5 stars: 0
      • Top 100: 0
      • 4 stars: 2
    • 2026 targets
      • Elbert Hill - 4 star, #19 overall, #1 CB
      • Victor Singleton - 4 star - #169 overall, #13 CB
      • Hill and Singleton would be great tandem and add even more elite talent to the room.
  • S/Nickel
    • Elijah Dotson 2025 – 4 star, #123 overall #12 S
    • Jordan Young 2025 – 4 star, #223 overall #18 S
    • Jacob Oden 2024 – 4 star, #232 overall, #17 S
    • Mason Curtis 2024 – 4 star #15 OLB
    • Kainoa Winston 2025 – 4 star #33 S
    • Summary
      • 5 stars: 0
      • Top 100: 0
      • 4 stars: 5
    • Comments
      • Again, this is another stacked position group. Curtis showed very well as a true freshman and the 2025 guys seem like really talented players. The staff can be picky in 2026 and try to land elite guys, especially with Jennings already committed (though I think he still might end up at CB)
    • 2026 targets
      • Brody Jennings - 4 star, #241 overall, #20 S
      • I don't know enough about who the staff is targeting here. Maybe @Josh Henschke or @Trevor McCue can fill some spaces here.
  • Total
    • 5 stars: 3
    • Top 100: 7
    • Top 250: 16
    • 4 stars: 32
    • Top 10 Position ranking: 11
This is a lot of raw data but when you really look at how the 24 and 25 classes fit together it's hard not to get excited. There are a lot of similarities between the 24/25 classes and the 20/21 classes and I think we could see a similar results going forward. I have a few more thoughts I'll put in a reply to this post (so it doesn't get buried in length of this post) but what do you think? What are some position groups or players you're most excited about? Who would you like to see added in 26 or through the portal?
ADVERTISEMENT

Filter

ADVERTISEMENT