The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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44 THE WOLVERINE ❱ JANUARY 2025 ❱ FOOTBALL RECRUITING BY EJ HOLLAND M ichigan finished the early signing period with 23 recruits and the No. 9 overall class nationally, per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rank- ings. Of those 23 recruits, two are five-star prospects and 13 are four-stars — a blue-chip ratio of 65.2 percent. This is Michi- gan's most talented recruiting class since the 2022 cycle when the Wolverines also finished No. 9 nationally, and it's the pro- gram's best blue-chip ratio since 2020 (66.6 percent). We spent the entire calendar year traveling to events and games, and had a chance to evaluate the large majority of the signees live. Here is a look at how we would rank every signee, starting from the top: 1. QB Bryce Underwood BELLEVILLE (MICH.) HIGH On3 Industry Ranking: Five-star+ (top 1-32) Our Ranking: Five-star (top 1-32) The Skinny: Ranked as the No. 1 quarterback and No. 1 overall prospect nationally, Underwood has been la- beled as a generational prospect at the position. At 6-foot-4, 208 pounds, he is a big-framed pocket passer who can make all the throws. He displays elite arm talent to go along with excellent deep ball accuracy. Underwood is also accurate at all three levels and knows how to command an offense. He started as a freshman at Belleville and led his team to a state title. Underwood is also a threat with his legs. While he's not overly dynamic, he is very capable of making big plays on designed runs as well as when the pocket breaks down. Underwood can continue to improve his feet and other minor details. However, he checks all the boxes and has the potential to start as a true freshman at Michigan this coming season. 2. OL Andrew Babalola OVERLAND PARK (KAN.) BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST On3 Industry Ranking: Five-star (top 1-32) Our Ranking: Five-star (top 1-32) The Skinny: Michigan had a need for a true tackle this cycle and filled it with one of the best in the country in Babalola. Ranked as the No. 3 offen- sive tackle and No. 15 overall prospect nationally, Babalola only recently started concentrating on football and didn't start on varsity until his junior year. That means his ceiling is sky high. At 6-foot-6, 300 pounds, Babalola has an extremely im- pressive frame to go along with elite athleticism and feet, stemming from his time as an AAU basketball player. What really pops out about Babalola is his natural aggression. He's very physical as a run blocker and knows how to finish off blocks with authority. It's tough for offensive linemen to get significant time as true freshmen, but Babalola could be the exception to the rule. 3. CB Shamari Earls CHESTER (VA.) THOMAS DALE On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star (top 50-75) Our Ranking: Five-star (top 1-32) The Skinny: While Earls is ranked just outside five-star territory, per the On3 Industry Ranking, we view him as a legit five-star recruit. At 6-foot-2, 203 pounds, Earls is a tall, long, physi- cal corner in the same mold as Michi- gan star Will Johnson. While he isn't as technically refined, Earls is a gifted athlete who could have been a Power Four wide receiver. He also has legiti- mate track times, running in the 10.6s in the 100 meters. Earls, the No. 8 cornerback and No. 62 overall prospect nationally, also won the Virginia state title in the long jump (23 feet, 10.75 inches). Earls, who flipped from Georgia to Michigan late in the cycle, is a marquee recruiting win for secondary coach LaMar Morgan and could compete for a starting job as a true fresh- man. 4. S Kainoa Winston WASHINGTON (D.C.) GONZAGA On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star (top 100-125) Our Ranking: Four-star (top 100-125) The Skinny: Winston is a true Swiss Army knife on the back end with the ability to play safety, nickel and linebacker, and even rush the passer. Winston did all of that and flashed his athleticism at Gonzaga, serving as a Wildcat quarterback en route to being named the District of Columbia's Gatorade Player of the Year. Michigan is recruiting Winston as more of a pure safety thanks to his superior instincts and high football IQ. He has Top-Tier TalenT Power Ranking U-M's 2025 Football Signees