The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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50 THE WOLVERINE ❱ NOVEMBER 2023 BY EJ HOLLAND I traveled across the country and saw several Michigan commits and tar- gets in game action during the month of September. Here are the five best players based on their performances. 5. ARI WATFORD, EDGE Norfolk (Va.) Maury (2025) Watford probably would have been higher on this list, but he only played a half in Maury's 68-8 win over Ports- mouth (Va.) Norcom. Ranked by On3 as the No. 19 over- all player and No. 1 edge nationally in the next cycle, Watford is an elite pass rusher and checks the boxes as an im- mediate impact player at the college level. Watford recorded 4 tackles and got after the opposing quarterback a ton in the contest. While his stats weren't off the charts, Watford commanded extra attention and flashed the traits that make him one of the best in the country for the next cycle. He has an impressive frame at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds and also boasts plenty of length and athleticism. Michi- gan is in the mix here, along with Clem- son, Penn State, South Carolina and others. 4. DJ PICKETT, S Zephyrhills (Fla.) High (2025) A five-star prospect, the No. 1 safety and No. 8 player overall in the country in the 2025 cycle by On3, Pickett is a can't-miss prospect on the back end. At 6-foot-3, 170 pounds, he has tre- mendous length and excellent speed for his size. Pickett patrolled the secondary and didn't see much action come his way in Zephyrhills' 35-13 win over New Port Richey (Fla.) Gulf. However, he was a big weapon on the offensive side of the ball, racking up more than 100 yards receiv- ing and a touchdown. Some schools have actu- ally talked to Pickett about playing on both sides of the ball. Michigan is high on his list early on along with Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Miami, Oregon, Texas and others. 3. TALYN TAYLOR, WR Geneva (Ill.) Community (2025) On3's No. 55 prospect and No. 8 wide receiver nationally, Taylor could be in the five-star discussion by the end of the next cycle. The 6-foot-1, 165 pounder is an explosive weapon that can line up in the slot or on the outside. He has a terrific catch radius to go along with elite body control. Taylor is also a natural pass catcher and high-level route runner. He reminded me a bit of New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson, whom I covered extensively as a recruit. Taylor finished with more than 100 yards and 3 total touchdowns in Geneva Commu- nity's 41-7 win over Roselle (Ill.) Lake Park. Michigan is a contender along with Georgia, Notre Dame, USC and others. 2. QUINCY PORTER, WR Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic (2025) I'm a fan of large receivers, but Por- ter is much more than a big body. The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder has plenty of speed for his size and can stretch the field vertically as well as rack up plenty of yards after the catch. Porter knows how to use his size to his advantage as well and is a valuable red zone target. He is exactly the type of wideout Michigan needs to land in the next cycle. Rated by On3 as the No. 34 player and No. 6 athlete in the junior class, Porter racked up more than 100 yards receiv- ing and 4 touchdowns in Bergen Catho- lic's 38-7 win over New Rochelle (N.Y.) Iona Prep. Michigan is high on his list along with Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, Penn State and oth- ers. 1. KAMAR ARCHIE, LB Princeton (N.J.) Hun School (2025) The next Jabrill Peppers? That's who Michigan linebackers coach Chris Partridge brought up when talking to Archie about a player Kamar Archie, rated by On3 as the No. 70 player and No. 7 linebacker in the 2025 class, attends the Hun School in New Jersey, as does teammate and Michigan 2024 commitment Owen Wafle. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND ❱ MICHIGAN RECRUITING NOTEBOOK The Wolverine's Five Best From The Road Rk. School Commits 1. Georgia 26 2. Ohio State 22 3. Florida 21 4. Texas A&M 22 5. Alabama 20 6. LSU 25 Rk. School Commits 7. Florida State 21 8. Oregon 23 9. Notre Dame 23 10. Tennessee 20 14. Michigan 25 ON3 2024 TEAM RECRUITING RANKINGS As of October 16