The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1523593
154 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2024 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY ZACH LIBBY T hrough the mid-June official visits, Michigan held eight commitments and a 2025 class ranking of No. 12 from On3. The following are 10 of the most de- sired remaining 2025 recruits being tar- geted by the Wolverines. TOP 100 OL Andrew Babalola Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest The relationship between Babalola, the four-star ranked No. 14 overall and as the No. 4 offensive tackle in the coun- try, according to On3, and Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore began this past fall when the Wolverines issued an offer. Their bond has grown stronger throughout the last several months. New offensive line coach Grant Newsome has taken the initiative to be a leading recruiter with Babalola, who was born 45 minutes north of Ann Arbor in Bloomfield Township. He relocated to suburban Kansas City when he was younger. His proximity to incoming freshman offensive tackle Andrew Sprague, who also lives in Kansas City, helped the pair build a friendship. Babalola first visited Ann Arbor in late March of this year for spring camp practice and returned for an official visit on June 14-16. Moore and Newsome both played on the offensive line in college, a plus for the Wolverines, and the 6-foot-5.5, 295-pounder is impressed with U-M's success in devel- oping players on the offensive line. Stanford, which hosted him on an official visit June 7-9, has the lead in receiving a commitment from Baba- lola, per the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). Auburn had Babalola on campus in May, and Oklahoma earned an official on June 21-23. Last season, Babalola received 6A honorable mention all-state recognition from the Kansas State High School Activities Association. TOP 100 WR Quincy Porter Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic On 3 lists Porter as the No. 31 overall prospect and No. 5 wide receiver in the nation, and the No. 1 player in New Jersey. He's been to Ann Arbor three times, includ- ing an early spring return in April to monitor spring practice and last year's BBQ at The Big House. He was on campus again June 14-16 for an official visit. That trip followed officials to Penn State (May 31- June 2) and Ohio State (June 7-9). Oklahoma received the final pitch right before the dead period. Wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy has established a tight-knit relationship with Porter, who's also gotten to know other offensive staff members like Newsome, the area recruiter for New Jersey, and offensive coordina- tor Kirk Campbell, who visited his school during the spring evaluation period. The Wolverines want to bring in an early impact, bigger-bodied wideout who can line up on the outside and be a playmaker in the passing game, and Porter fits the bill. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, he's coming off a junior campaign in which he hauled in 41 receptions for 969 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was also named the MaxPreps New Jersey Player of the Year for Bergen Catholic, which won its third consecutive Non-Public A state title in 2023. TOP 100 DB Jordan Young Monroe (N.C.) High Michigan issued an offer to Young this past March. A few weeks later, the No. 36 overall prospect and No. 2 safety in the country, according to On3, stepped foot in Ann Arbor for the first time. The push from the Wolverines has impressed Young, who's been in close contact with new defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan and new defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale. The transparency in his talks with the U-M assistants stands out remarkably for Young, who'll look to shut down his recruitment in October. Along with an official visit for U-M's Victors Week- end June 21-23, he had other officials scheduled at NC State and Florida State. Clemson was the first to get an official visit on May 31-June 2. At 6-foot, 170 pounds, Young is also listed as On3's No. 3 player in North Carolina. He finished with 66 to- tal tackles, including 2 for a loss, 5 fumble recoveries, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 pass breakups last season. TOP 100 WR Derek Meadows Las Vegas Bishop Gorman Michigan is targeting four 2025 pros- pects from Bishop Gorman, the reigning MaxPreps high school national cham- pion, including three on the offensive line in Douglas Utu, SJ Alofaituli and Alai Kalaniuvalu. The Wolverines are also pushing hard for Meadows, the 6-foot-5, 185-pound weapon who's projected as an X receiver and can spread the field with his speed and growing frame. Listed as the No. 37 overall recruit and the No. 7 wide receiver this cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, Meadows has been to Ann Arbor twice this 10 Top Targets For Michigan In The 2025 Class Chester (Va.) Thomas Dale cornerback Shamari Earls committed to South Carolina in April but took an un- official visit to Michigan in mid-June that he described as "amazing" and said Michigan "set the bar high." PHOTO COURTESY SHAMARI EARLS