The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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48 THE WOLVERINE ❱ JANUARY 2024 ❱ MICHIGAN RECRUITING NOTEBOOK "It's awesome," Kanka told The Wol- verine. "It just validates everything that I know the University of Michigan to be. Just adds to the list of reasons why I want it to be my home." The Wolverines made a concerted effort to host dozens of offered un- derclassmen at The Big House for the home finale against Ohio State. Some made the trip for the first time, such as top-100 Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola linebacker Elijah Melendez, who has high expectations for the team in the playoffs. Melendez was the only 2025 line- backer target on the visitors list, fol- lowing the firing of former linebackers coach Chris Partridge. The Wolverines were added to Melendez's top 10 list on Nov. 1. He's the No. 49 overall prospect and No. 9 linebacker in the country. "Michigan is a bunch of dawgs, and they deserve it," Melendez told The Wolverine. "I'm hyped for them, and I want to see them win it all." On300 New Rochelle (N.Y.) Iona Preparatory School offensive line- man Rowan Byrne, who also returned to campus for The Game, has a similar sentiment for U-M. The No. 15-ranked interior offensive lineman in the 2025 recruiting class and No. 1 recruit in New York, per On3, By- rne has visited Michigan three times. "Right now, they definitely are the best program in the country," he told The Wolverine. "They've proved that this season and have proved it on the field each game through lots of adver- sity. It's exactly what you expect from this Michigan program." Offensive coordinator and line coach Sherrone Moore was active on the trail by bringing in several 2025 offensive linemen to campus in late November. Along with Byrne, several others flew in from out of state, including San Fran- cisco (Calif.) St. Ignatius College Prep star John Mills. After receiving his offer in October, Mills is eyeing an official visit to Michigan after taking in the at- mosphere at Michigan Stadium against the Buckeyes. "Michigan's been dominant all year long, and now they have the chance to go win a national championship and play against the top SEC team in the country," Mills told The Wolverine. Advancing to the playoffs in each of the past three years stems from focusing on team success as opposed to individ- ual achievements, which is a testament to the culture established under head coach Jim Harbaugh. "I think it's great for the univer- sity and the program," said 2025 Alcoa (Tenn.) High tight end Eli Owens, who made two game-day visits in November and is trending toward the three-time reigning Big Ten champions according to On3. "I also think it shows just how much the coaching staff and the players care about being great." Still, as Blake Corum said following the Big Ten championship, the job isn't finished. "Being No. 1 is always great, but I'm sure it's not enough for them," 2025 four-star Mukilteo (Wash.) Kamiak tight end T'Andre Waverly, who took his first-ever visit to U-M in April, told The Wolverine. According to the On3 Industry Ranking, he's the No. 11 tight end nationally and No. 2 in Washington. "The goal is No. 1 in the end. The games will be exciting." With Michigan getting set to face SEC champion Alabama in Pasadena, the commits, like three-star Ponte Ve- dra (Fla.) High offensive lineman pledge Jake Guarnera, are showcasing the same mindset as the players. "Let's go," Guarnera, who announced his commitment in April and will enroll early, told The Wolverine. "It's well de- served. But now, the next goal is to beat Alabama." — Zach Libby MICHIGAN OL COMMIT LUKE HAMILTON ENJOYS VISIT FOR THE GAME Michigan offensive lineman commit Luke Hamilton inched his way up the tunnel in the aftermath of the 30-24 win over Ohio State. When he caught up 2024 MICHIGAN COMMITMENTS Player Rating Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School) Jadyn Davis^ HHHH QB 6-0 190 Charlotte, N.C. (Providence Day) Jordan Marshall HHHH RB 5-10 200 Cincinnati (Archbishop Moeller) Micah Ka'apana HHH RB 5-11 195 Las Vegas (Bishop Gorman) I'Marion Stewart^ HHH WR 5-10 180 Chicago (Kenwood) Channing Goodwin^ HHH WR 6-1 175 Charlotte, N.C. (Providence Day) Brady Prieskorn^ HHHH TE 6-5 225 Rochester, Mich. (Adams) Hogan Hansen^ HHHH TE 6-3 230 Bellevue, Wash. (Bellevue) Andrew Sprague HHHH OT 6-8 295 Kansas City, Mo. (Rockhurst) Blake Frazier^ HHHH OT 6-5 270 Austin, Texas (Vandegrift) Ben Roebuck HHH OT 6-7 340 Lakewood, Ohio (St. Edward) Jake Guarnera^ HHH IOL 6-4 283 Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (Ponte Vedra) Luke Hamilton HHH IOL 6-4 290 Avon, Ohio (Avon) Manuel Beigel HHH IOL 6-5 282 Wallingford, Conn. (Choate Rosemary Hall) Ted Hammond HHH DL 6-4 265 Cincinnati (St. Xavier) Dominic Nichols^ HHH DL 6-5 255 Ijamsville, Md. (Oakdale) Deyvid Palepale HHH DL 6-2 305 Manheim Township, Pa. (Manheim Township) Owen Wafle HHH DL 6-2 267 Princeton, N.J. (Hun School) Devon Baxter HHHH EDGE 6-5 235 Brandywine, Md. (Gwynn Park) Mason Curtis HHHH LB 6-4 190 Nashville, Tenn. (Ensworth) Jaden Smith HHHH LB 6-2 195 Charlotte, N.C. (West Charlotte) Cole Sullivan HHHH LB 6-3 230 Pittsburgh (Central Catholic) Jeremiah Beasley^ HHHH LB 6-0 210 Belleville, Mich. (Belleville) Zach Ludwig HHH LB 6-2 205 South Park, Pa. (South Park) Jacob Oden^ HHHH S 6-0 185 Harper Woods, Mich. (Harper Woods) Jeremiah Lowe^ HHH CB 5-11 170 Lexington, Ky. (Frederick Douglass) Jo'Ziah Edmond^ HHH ATH 6-1 185 Nappanee, Ind. (Northwood) ^anticipated early enrollee at U-M 2025 MICHIGAN COMMITMENTS Player Rating Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School) Chris Ewald HHHH CB 5-11 161 Miami (Chaminade-Madonna Prep) Bobby Kanka HHH DL 6-4 263 Howell, Mich. (Howell) Carter Smith HHHH QB 6-3 180 Fort Meyers, Fla. (Bishop Verot)