The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 47 ❱ MICHIGAN RECRUITING NOTEBOOK MICHIGAN LOSES WR COMMIT Three-star Destrehan (La.) High wide receiver Phillip Wright III decommitted from Michigan in August, just a month after giving the Wolverines a verbal pledge. Wright visited Michigan for the BBQ at The Big House in late July but also made a trip to home state program LSU, which is now trending in his recruit- ment. The Tigers made a strong push to keep him close to home and also ex- tended a track scholarship. Wright initially picked Michigan on July 13. At the time, Wright felt ex- tremely comfortable with the program and wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy, a fellow Louisiana native. "My relationship with Coach Bell is good," Wright said. "We talk almost ev- ery day. What makes it easy is that he is from the same area I'm from, and we connect easily." While his connection with Bellamy was strong, it was not enough to keep Wright away from LSU. With Wright no longer in the class, Michigan is down to just one wide re- ceiver commit in On300 New Orleans Archbishop Shaw wide receiver Jacob Washington, who gave the Wolverines a verbal pledge after his official visit for Victors Weekend. Michigan is still looking to take three wide receivers this cycle. The Wolverines are currently focused on a pair of top-100 wideouts in Jerome Myles and Andrew Marsh, who is set to make his decision on Aug. 20. At 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, Wright is the No. 68 wide receiver and No. 424 overall prospect nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking. He is also ranked as the No. 14 overall recruit in the state of Louisiana. — EJ Holland U-M LOOKING AT GEORGIA TECH COMMIT TO REPLACE WRIGHT Georgia Tech wide receiver commit Jamauri Brice, out of Cartersville (Ga.) High, chose the in-state school in June, but he understands that with less than four months to go until National Sign- ing Day, schools like Michigan will be reaching out. "I love to hear what everyone has to say. I take in the coaching tips, learn more about the game, how everyone views me," Brice told The Wolverine. "I want to go where I have a chance to play and the best relationships. I take in everything that they say." Michigan wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy got back in contact with Brice a few days ago after they built a line of dialogue earlier during the offseason. With only one wideout pledge this cy- cle after the decommitment of Phillip Wright III, the Wolverines are eyeing Brice as a potential flip target. "I just started talking to them re- cently," Brice said. "Talking to Coach Bellamy again was pretty good. We talked for a minute, catching up, talked about football, how they're moving and what they're taking in these next couple of months and how they view me." The re-opened conversation follows Brice's first-ever visit to Michigan in March during spring camp. "I liked it a lot, personally," Brice said. "My parents liked it a lot. It was nice getting around the coaches for the first time. I love the school and the program. It was a good experience." While monitoring practice, Brice was impressed with the talent in Michigan's wide receiver group. He also sat down with Bellamy to dissect film and go over how he could fit in the offense. "Great coach," Brice said. "He gave me a lot of good tips. We talked about what he liked about me, and what I can work on. He kept it real and was very straightforward." Although Brice is comfortable with his decision with the Yellow Jackets, the reigning national champions are a MICHIGAN'S 2025 COMMITMENTS Name Rating Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School) Avery Gach HHH IOL 6-4 270 Franklin, Mich. (Wylie E. Groves) Julius Holly HHHH EDGE 6-3 230 Alpharetta, Ga. (Alpharetta) Donovan Johnson HHHH RB 6-1 210 Savannah, Ga. (IMG Academy [Fla.]) Bobby Kanka HHH DL 6-4 263 Howell, Mich. (Howell) Nate Marshall HHHH DL 6-4 265 Oak Park, Ill. (Fenwick) Andrew Olesh HHHH TE 6-5 215 Center Valley, Pa. (Southern Lehigh) Eli Owens HHH TE 6-1 215 Alcoa, Tenn. (Alcoa) Jasper Parker HHHH RB 6-1 200 Marrero, La. (Archbishop Shaw) Jaden Sanders HHHH CB 6-2 175 Kilgore, Texas (Kilgore) Carter Smith HHHH QB 6-3 190 Fort Myers, Fla. (Bishop Verot) Kaden Strayhorn HHH IOL 6-3 285 Novi, Mich. (IMG Academy [Fla.]) Chase Taylor HHH LB 6-3 201 Stockbridge, Ga. (Stockbridge) Ivan Taylor HHHH S 6-1 180 Winter Garden, Fla. (West Orange) Jaylen Williams HHHH DL 6-6 255 Palatine, Ill. (Palatine) Kainoa Winston HHHH S 5-10 184 Montgomery Village, Md. (Gonzaga [D.C.]) Jacob Washington HHHH WR 6-3 180 New Orleans (Archbishop Shaw) MICHIGAN'S 2026 COMMITMENTS Name Rating Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School) Brady Hart HHHH QB 6-5 185 Indialantic, Fla. (Cocoa) Brody Jennings HHH CB 6-1 175 Jacksonville, Fla. (Mandarin) Georgia Tech wide receiver commit Jamauri Brice, whom On3 rates as a three-star pros- pect and the No. 44 athlete in the country, said Michigan is still on his radar. PHOTO BY JEREMY JOHNSON/ON3