The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1525654
46 THE WOLVERINE ❱ SEPTEMBER 2024 BY ZACH LIBBY M ichigan is prioritizing four pros- pects ranked in the top 100 na- tionally this cycle, with a couple of them expected to make their decisions at the end of August. The Wolverine examines where Mich- igan stands with the four top remaining targets. FIVE-STAR OT ANDREW BABALOLA OVERLAND PARK (KAN.) BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST Babalola could commit anytime, meaning Michigan has less than a month to establish further moves to land the five-star offensive tackle. The Wolver- ines trail Stanford considerably on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine but have garnered momentum this summer to be in the picture. The Cardinal face pushes from not just U-M but also Au- burn, Missouri and Oklahoma. Babalola, who was born in metro Detroit, visited Ann Arbor twice this offseason, including an official visit in June. Head coach Sherrone Moore and offensive line coach Grant Newsome, who hold backgrounds as both players and coaches at the offensive line posi- tion, are leading the way for Babalola, who's been impressed with the school's combination of elite football and ac- ademics. On3 lists the 6-foot-6, 295 pounder as the nation's No. 14 overall prospect and No. 4 offensive tackle. TOP-100 WR JEROME MYLES DRAPER (UTAH) CORNER CANYON Myles is coming off his first-ever visit to Michigan for the annual late July BBQ at The Big House. Wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy offered him during the spring evaluation period, and he became close with the U-M assistant last month. Of- fensive coordinator Kirk Campbell, who first checked out Myles in Utah during the spring, is also involved. The country's No. 42 overall player and No. 8 receiver per the On3 Industry Ranking can drop a top-10 list featuring the Wolverines, Texas A&M, Miami, Penn State, Ohio State and others. Having decommitted from Ole Miss earlier in the summer, the 6-3, 215-pound Myles is eyeing more vis- its in-season to find his program of choice, with U-M in line for an official visit. TOP-100 WR ANDREW MARSH KATY (TEXAS) JORDAN Marsh is considered a heavy lean to Michigan following three summer vis- its to campus. He took an official visit on Victors Weekend June 21-23, which followed an unofficial earlier the same month, and then later a return for the BBQ at The Big House July 26-28. Marsh, who stands 6-foot, 175 pounds, has been to Ann Arbor a total of five times since May of last year and has built a close relationship with Bellamy, Moore and the staff. He's talked about U-M's history of winning and development, and as a result the reigning national champions were included in his top-five list along with Washington, Colorado, Texas and USC. Marsh planned on announcing a commitment decision late in the day on Aug. 20. TOP-100 LB NATHANIEL OWUSU-BOATENG BRADENTON (FLA.) IMG ACADEMY Owusu-Boateng, the No. 69 overall prospect and No. 5 linebacker nationally in the On3 Industry Ranking, doesn't have a commitment date set and expects to ex- ercise due diligence on his favorite schools. After the Wolverines welcomed him twice to campus, including for an official visit on Victors Weekend in June, the rising se- nior considers them one of his top schools, with Ohio State, Notre Dame, Florida, Texas and USC in consideration as well. Owusu-Boateng is comfortable in how he'd fit in Michigan's defense, has praised his relationship with lineback- ers coach Brian Jean-Mary and has a current IMG Academy 2025 teammate committed to U-M in offensive lineman Kaden Strayhorn. The Wolverines will likely look to have Owusu-Boateng return for a game-day visit, which he's yet to do. ❱ MICHIGAN RECRUITING NOTEBOOK Where The Wolverines Stand With Remaining 2025 Targets Top-100 wide receiver Andrew Marsh from Katy (Texas) Jordan High was expected to announce his commitment decision Aug. 20. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine gave the Wolverines a 90.9 percent vote of confidence. PHOTO BY SAM SPIEGELMAN/ON3