The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1516256
2024 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ 64 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MARCH 2024 BY EJ HOLLAND M ichigan's 2024 recruiting class had a strong finish, flipping USC defensive line commit Deyvid Palep- ale and adding On3 Top 100 Forestville (Md.) Bishop McNamara edge Lugard Edokpayi during the early signing pe- riod. With both additions, Michigan moved up the On3 Industry national team recruiting rankings and finished with the No. 15 overall group with a total of 26 signees. Now, it's time to look ahead. As of Feb. 20, Michigan had just three verbal commitments in the 2025 class due in large part to a change at head coach and several staff departures. At this time last year, the Wolverines had seven pledges. Right now, Michigan has the No. 15 2025 class nationally, per the On3 In- dustry Ranking, but the Wolverines could contend for a spot in the Top 10 by next February. New head coach Sherrone Moore has promised a more aggressive approach on the recruiting trail. Here is a position-by-position as- sessment of Michigan's needs and where the Wolverines stand with top 2025 targets. QUARTERBACK Commits: 1 Needs: 1 Michigan already has its quarter- back commit in the 2025 class in On300 Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot prospect Carter Smith. Ranked by On3 as the No. 9 quarterback and No. 112 overall pros- pect nationally, Smith committed to Michigan in November over offers from Florida, Florida State, Miami, Penn State and others. At 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, Smith is a true dual-threat quarterback who passed for 2,223 yards, rushed for 715 yards and scored 48 total touchdowns en route to earning Gatorade Football Player of the Year in the state of Florida as a junior. Michigan made five-star Belleville (Mich.) High quarterback Bryce Under- wood its top priority for the majority of the cycle, but the No. 1 overall recruit in the country gave LSU a verbal pledge in January and is unlikely to waver. If Michigan explores the idea of add- ing a second quarterback to the fold given its depth chart, four-star Corona (Calif.) Centennial prospect Husan Longstreet, the No. 136 overall recruit nationally would be a prime candidate. Longstreet visited Michigan last off- season, and the Wolverines have the lead on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine with a 29.7 percent chance of landing him. Running Back Commits: 0 Need: 1-2 Michigan found its future bell cow last cycle in Top 100 running back Jordan Marshall. The Wolverines also landed all-purpose back Micah Ka'apana and have now taken two players at the posi- tion in back-to-back cycles. It is unclear if Michigan will look to do the same in 2025 or just focus on one ball carrier. Either way, On300 Cleveland (Ohio) Heights running back Marquise Davis is at the top of the wish list. Davis, the No. 6 athlete and No. 102 overall recruit nationally, rushed for 2,405 yards and 34 touchdowns and was named the Gatorade Football Player of the Year in the state of Ohio. Michigan was able to pull Marshall out of enemy territory a year ago and will look to do the same with Davis this cycle. While Ohio State is considered the early favorite on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, Davis is very open with the process and made his first visit to Michigan for the game against OSU in November. Michigan has the early lead for On300 Gaithersburg (Md.) Quince Orchard's Iverson Howard, the No. 17 running back and No. 200 overall recruit nation- ally. The Wolverines hosted him for a Analyzing Michigan's Recruiting Priorities For The 2025 Class Carter Smith from Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot High, is one of three U-M commits to date in the 2025 cycle. He is ranked by On3 as the No. 9 quarterback and No. 112 overall prospect nationally. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND