The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1524451
34 THE WOLVERINE ❱ AUGUST 2024 BY EJ HOLLAND O n3 released its updated On300 rankings for the 2025 recruiting class in early July, and there were signifi- cant changes for Michigan commits. Center Valley (Pa.) Southern Lehigh tight end Andrew Olesh is the highest- rated U-M commit, moving up 11 spots from No. 78 to No. 67. Michigan made Olesh its top priority at the tight end position and was able to close with him a couple of weeks fol- lowing his June official visit. Olesh sided with U-M over fellow finalists Alabama, Florida and Penn State. Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga safety Kainoa Winston is the second-highest rated verbal pledge in the class, and he stayed put at No. 103. Winston committed to Michigan in mid-June, just a couple of weeks after his official visit. The highly touted pros- pect was considered a Penn State lean for the majority of the cycle. However, new Michigan secondary coach LaMar Morgan did a fantastic job of winning him over. A trio of Michigan commits made massive jumps in the rankings, including New Orleans Archbishop Shaw running back Jasper Parker, who moved up from three-star recruit to No. 185. Parker committed to Michigan while on his official visit in June, choosing the U-M over offers from fellow finalists Duke, Georgia Tech and Oklahoma State. Parker flew a bit under the radar during the re- cruiting process, but a reevaluation of his film proved to be key in his rankings rise. Parker's teammate, New Orleans Arch- bishop Shaw wide receiver Jacob Wash- ington, also made a big move in the rank- ings, vaulting from three-star recruit to No. 246. Washington committed to Mich- igan on Victors Weekend in June, and he fills a huge hole for the Wolverines as a true big-bodied pass catcher on the out- side. Palatine (Ill.) High edge rusher Jaylen Williams was yet another rankings riser, moving up from a three-star recruit to No. 252 overall. Williams has been listed as a defensive lineman by On3, but the Wol- verines love his ability as a bigger edge in their defensive scheme. Williams com- mitted to Michigan over offers from Mi- ami, Wisconsin and more. Washington and Williams joined Parker in receiving an On3 ratings upgrade to four stars. Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot quarter- back Carter Smith and Alpharetta (Ga.) High Edge Julius Holly both received mi- nor bumps in the rankings. Smith moved up 14 spots from No. 209 to No. 185, while Holly jumped up eight positions from No. 236 to No. 228. Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick defensive line- man Nate Marshall was once the high- est ranked recruit in the class. However, he tumbled 50 spots from No. 70 to No. 120. Marshall is a talented prospect in the trenches, but his tweener build has raised questions about where exactly he'll fit in at the next level. Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy run- ning back Donovan Johnson also dropped, moving down 56 spots from No. 242 to No. 298. Johnson suffered a torn ACL last year and did not participate in any offseason activities. He will have a chance to move back up the rankings with a strong senior season. QB CARTER SMITH HELPS TO BUILD 2025 CLASS On300 Michigan quarterback commit Carter Smith isn't overly active on social media, but he is putting in a ton of work helping the Wolverines recruit behind the scenes. ❱ MICHIGAN RECRUITING NOTEBOOK Michigan Commits Move Up, And Down, In On3 Player Ratings U-M running back commit Jasper Parker (left) of New Orleans Archbishop Shaw vaulted up the On3 rankings in July, moving up from a three-star recruit to four stars and a No. 185 ranking nationally. He committed to head coach Sherrone Moore (right) and U-M during his official visit in June. PHOTO COURTESY JASPER PARKER