The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MAY 2023 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 43 ❱ MICHIGAN RECRUITING NOTEBOOK end commit Tayvion Galloway, who was once considering the Wolverines, and 2024 Springfield (Ohio) High four-star cornerback Aaron Scott, has led to com- munication growing exponentially. Michigan has demonstrably stepped up its efforts to recruit in Ohio of late, and that has led to further connections between the program and Gammell. As- sistants like co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale and quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell are just two who have used Gammell's ties around the state to extend their own push to recruit his players to come to Ann Arbor. "Michigan has been all over the place," Gammell said. "I really respect every- thing that they've done so far. They con- tinue to do what they need to do, and they've made their presence known. That's good on them. It's positive with their staff." Scott, for instance, took his second- ever unofficial visit to Michigan in March following an appearance for the team's Junior Day event this past Janu- ary. Ranked as the No. 11 overall pros- pect in the country, the No. 2 corner- back nationally and the No. 1 junior in Ohio as well as a 4.0 student, Scott has been favoring from Ohio State for several months. For Gammell to be in the position that he's constructed from the ground up has allowed him to see potential fits for his players at schools from an objective lens. Born and raised in Ohio, Gammell might not have had Michigan as his preferred team back then. Now as a recruiting ad- visor, he understands what the two-time reigning Big Ten champions can provide potential student-athletes like Scott. "Aaron has definitely been building more of a relationship with Michigan over time," Gammell said. "Obviously, for him to see what we did with help- ing [Ohio State 2023 cornerback signee] Jermaine Matthews in the last class was big, and I think he's getting in tight with Michigan. "I really love what they do, and I really appreciate everything that they've done for these kids." Scott wasn't the first and won't be the last recruit associated with DJRS who expresses interest in Michigan, visits the school and gets offered by the Wolver- ines. In the 2023 class, one of Gammell's marquee athletes was Cincinnati Winton Woods cornerback Cameron Calhoun, who committed to the Wolverines less than an hour after their win at Ohio State last season. Gammell's push for Calhoun to receive formal interest and ultimately an offer from Michigan played a role in the early enrollee submitting his National Letter of Intent on National Signing Day last year. Three months have gone by, and Cal- houn is finding his stride through offsea- son workouts led by strength and con- ditioning coach Ben Herbert and spring camp practices. "Cam had some big offers after his ju- nior season, but some schools were un- sure about him," Gammell said. "They were putting some ice on him. But Clink ended up wanting him pretty bad. I've heard nothing but great things on what he's done in spring ball so far." There are several more recruits in the 2025 and 2026 classes who are utiliz- ing Gammell and his reach with college coaches across the nation. Cincinnati Winton Woods linebacker Justin Hill (No. 16 edge and No. 174 pros- pect nationally) and offensive tackle Ra- phael Greene have each visited Michigan this offseason, with the former picking up an offer in early December. Greene's offer sheet includes Kentucky, Purdue, West Virginia and Marshall. A quarterback in the 2026 class that uses Darren Junior Recruiting Source holds a unique connection to Michigan. Pickerington (Ohio) Central signal-caller Rocco Williams is the younger cousin of 2023 offensive tackle signee Evan Link. Williams returned to Michigan in March and was able to sit down with Campbell, who's expressed early interest. The Wolverines have a renewed inter- est in recruiting the best in talent-rich Ohio, and it's beginning to pay dividends with four signees in the 2023 class and another four commits already in the 2024 cycle. "Ohio is 100 percent in the top five across all states for high school football," Grammell said. — Zach Libby The Wolverines are pursuing Ohio standout Aaron Scott, the No. 11 overall prospect and No. 2 cornerback in the land, and the No. 1 rising senior in Ohio. PHOTO BT MATT PARKER/ON3.COM JADYN DAVIS IS 'CORNERSTONE' TO BUILD 2024 CLASS Michigan football has the nation's No. 5 re- cruiting class in 2024, per the On3 Industry Rankings as of April 13, and all signs point to the momentum continuing throughout the cycle. Despite Michigan winning back-to-back Big Ten championships in 2021 and 2022, recruit- ing in the 2023 cycle didn't live up to expecta- tions. The Wolverines signed the No. 18 class in the country, their lowest since checking in at 22nd in 2018. But Michigan has rebounded quickly in 2024, with the Wolverines already holding pledges from two top-100 recruits in four-star quarterback Jadyn Davis and four-star running back Jordan Marshall. "Remember, last year in 2023 they finished third in the Big Ten in recruiting because they didn't even beat Penn State in recruiting," FOX Sports' lead football analyst Joel Klatt said. "Penn State had a better class, Ohio State had a better class. And that was surprising after back-to-back Big Ten titles. "Now, they're putting a flag in the sand and they're saying, 'OK, we are going to compete in this recruiting landscape,' and Jadyn Davis is a guy that seems very firm in his commitment. "He seems like a guy that will now go to work to help Michigan recruit other top play- ers in 2024, which is important. You need that kind of cornerstone piece of your recruiting class that will go out there and help you with other guys." — Clayton Sayfie