The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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AUGUST 2023 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 45 ❱ COMMIT PROFILE BY ZACH LIBBY M ichigan's prioritization of Detroit and its suburbs under the current coaching administration resulted in the verbal commitment of four-star Belleville (Mich.) High linebacker Jeremiah Beasley on June 28. Residing less than 30 minutes from Ann Arbor, Beasley made multiple trips to campus in the spring and early sum- mer, including the April 1 spring game and his June official visit on Victors Weekend. Beasley has built a close relationship with linebackers coach Chris Partridge. When the former Ole Miss co-defensive coordinator was re-hired by Michigan in February, he first called Beasley to relay that On3's No. 5-ranked in-state prospect was a top priority on the Wolverines' line- backer board. "Coach Partridge has great knowledge of the game, probably the highest that I've seen out of any other linebackers coach," Beasley said. "He has knowledge of the NFL style as well and will break it down to you in order for you to use it in college." Listed as the No. 289 overall prospect and No. 24 linebacker in the country by On3, Beasley also scheduled official visits to Michigan State, Missouri and Illinois. The Spartans were the perceived favor- ites to unite Beasley with his half-brother, tight end Maliq Carr, in East Lansing, but momentum shifted in Michigan's favor once Partridge replaced George Helow on staff. Beasley is the first recruit from Belle- ville High, the two-time defending Michigan Division I state champion, to pledge to the Wolverines since corner- back Andre Seldon in the 2020 cycle. At 6-foot-0.5, 210 pounds, Beasley initially set his commitment date for mid-March but delayed it to take official visits first. "It's chill now that I'm committed," he said. "It was a lot on the day that I com- mitted. But since then, it's been nice to focus on my team and everything. That's been helpful. The weight is off my back." Fifteen commits in Michigan's 2024 recruiting class, including Beasley, came together on campus for Victors Weekend on June 16. He returned home having built close friendships with the pledges he had never spoken to in-depth before the visit. Among the future signees Bea- sley spent ample time with was four-star Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller running back Jordan Marshall, the No. 31 overall player and No. 2 running back nationally, according to On3. When Beasley figured out the best fit on his list of final contenders, having a bond with his fellow commits was vital in picking Michigan. "I'm always having a good time with them," Beasley said. "Jordan is one who I've gotten close with. He's been really cool with me, and he's my type of person. "That visit was the first time really meeting and talking. Other times, we've met up at camps and taken reps against each other. But that weekend was the first time we got to sit down together. "It was a big thing to have people who I can see myself being around. I'm going to be with them for the next three to four years. It's big to be comfortable around the people who I'll be playing with." Beasley's focus is now back to football. His offseason training schedule features workouts twice a week by himself and ev- ery day with his Belleville teammates. Ranked No. 25 on MaxPreps' rating of the top high school football programs na- tionally, Belleville is preparing to win its third straight state title. A two-way starter for the Tigers, Bea- sley compiled 108 tackles, including 72 solo, last season. Offensively, he rushed for 1,250 yards and 27 touchdowns. He posted a 36-yard scoring run in the 2022 state championship win versus Caledonia. He's the third in-state verbal commit- ment for Michigan this cycle, alongside four-star Harper Woods High defensive back Jacob Oden and four-star Rochester Adams tight end Brady Prieskorn. Both Beasley and Oden are members of the Sound Mind Sound Body organiza- tion, a year-round training and recruiting exposure academy based in Detroit. Former SMSB stars that have gone on to play for Michigan include wide receiver Semaj Morgan, cornerback Will Johnson and running back Donovan Edwards. Beasley hopes his commitment will continue the pipeline between Michigan and SMSB, including 2025 five-star quar- terback Bryce Underwood, the nation's No. 1 overall recruit. "I want Bryce at Michigan," Beasley said. "He's one of the big recruits who we want. It's a big thing for me to play with my brothers. "Coach [Curtis] Blackwell has done so much for me. I feel like giving back to them and bringing in more kids to Michi- gan from Belleville will help out a lot." ❑ Four-Star In-State Linebacker Jeremiah Beasley Goes Blue As a junior for Belleville (Mich.) High, Beasley posted 108 tackles and ran for 1,250 yards and 27 touchdowns. PHOTO BY ZACH LIBBY PLAYER EVALUATION STRENGTHS: "I think Jeremiah has a well-rounded game. He's a guy who can play in the box on de- fense and also play both ways. He's extremely productive, which is an indicator of a great linebacker in high school. He had over 100 tackles and rushed for more than 1,250 yards — that's a huge positive in his favor. He's instinctive, and it's impressive that he can make so many plays without getting off the field. I liked what I've seen from him in a camp setting as well. He projects well in space, and the athletic ability that he shows is very encouraging." AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: "He's not going to be the biggest linebacker because he's under 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds. The biggest question for him will be his long-term physical potential because there's nothing overwhelming about him physically. But athletically, he's just a really good football player." PLAYER COMPARISON: "I like this comparison for Jeremiah, and that's Hayes Pullard from USC. They have similar builds and similar high school backgrounds." — On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power