The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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40 THE WOLVERINE ❱ JANUARY 2025 ❱ FOOTBALL RECRUITING worked out and trained together. [Detroit Cass standout who is ranked as the No. 93 player and No. 16 wide receiver in the 2026 class per the On3 Industry Rank- ings] CJ Sadler would love to play with Bryce. [Detroit Country Day 2027 tight end who is rated as the No. 48 prospect and No. 3 tight end nationally] Anthony Cartwright would love to catch balls from Bryce. "Kids make a lot of decisions based around the quarterback, especially of- fensive players. They want to play with a quarterback with Bryce's ability. That's what makes Michigan unique. They have Bryce Underwood." He will be teaming up with his high school teammate, four-star Belleville High safety Elijah Dotson, at Michigan. Dotson flipped his commitment from Pitt to U-M just one day before Under- wood, and he is a key piece to the puzzle on the defensive side of the ball. At 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, Dotson, the No. 20 cornerback and No. 157 overall prospect nationally, can play everywhere in the secondary. "With Michigan, I can be a hometown player, too," Dotson said. "That was big for me. Then the style of defense they run — it fits my style. They like my ver- satility, and they see me as a safety with good range and physicality that can play in their scheme." Underwood and Dotson — two home- town heroes. TWO MAJOR FLIPS Michigan vaulted into the Top 10 with the addition of Underwood but needed a few more key lands before the end of the early signing period in November to maintain its ranking. The Wolverines worked hard behind the scenes on Clemson defensive back commit Jordan Young, the No. 8 safety and No. 99 overall recruit nationally, ac- cording to the On3 Industry Ranking. Young gave the Tigers a verbal commit- ment in early November, but that didn't stop secondary coach LaMar Morgan from staying in touch and making a run. Morgan had already shown the abil- ity to pull off flips. He did it with both Earls and Dotson. Young was always high on Morgan's board as a nickel. Michigan wanted to get longer and more athletic at the position, and Young, a three-sport athlete with offers at wide receiver, cer- tainly fit the description. Young had Michigan in his final group going into his November decision. Dis- tance and NIL were factors for the North Carolina prospect. Morgan and Michigan were able to quickly overcome both, and U-M earned a silent commitment shortly after the Wolverines landed Underwood. Young made it official and flipped on Dec. 1. "What excites me most about Michi- gan is the opportunity to be part of such a legendary program and contribute to its legacy," Young said. "The coaches, the team culture, and the resources here are amazing, both ath- letically and academically. … I'm excited about the chance to develop as a player and a student, and to represent a school with such a great tradition." Just a couple of days later, Michigan pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the recruiting cycle when it flipped back Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick prospect Nate Marshall, the No. 7 defensive lineman and No. 59 overall prospect in the On3 Indus- try Ranking. Marshall originally committed to Michigan in the spring but flipped to Au- burn around the beginning of the season. NIL weighed heavily into Marshall's deci- sion to leave U-M's class at the time. The Wolverines lost On300 edge Jaylen Williams to Wisconsin in November and wanted to fill that spot with a pass rusher in the elite category. Marshall was always at the top of the board for defensive line coach Lou Esposito, and the Wolverines decided to ramp up their NIL efforts with him, ultimately leading to another major victory on the recruiting trail. At 6-foot-4, 265 pounds, Marshall may grow into a defensive tackle. However, he is a top-tier athlete with a basketball background and is capable of being a full- time pass rusher in Michigan's scheme. Either way, Michigan views him as a dif- ference maker and potential early-impact player. "Marshall possesses excellent raw power and shock in his hands," said On3 Rankings Director Charles Power. "He has the ability to rush the passer from the edge if asked to do so. He will develop proper pad level and contact initiation at the next level with collegiate coach- ing. He has tremendous upside due to his frame and athletic tools. His best football is ahead of him." Marshall's commitment came on the eve of National Signing Day and set the stage for two more Michigan wins on the trail. SIGNING DAY SPLASH Michigan opened National Signing Day by landing three-star Louisville (Ky.) Fern Creek defensive lineman Travis Moten, who was supposed to make his announce- ment the following day. At 6-foot-6, 296 pounds, Moten is listed as an edge and led the state of Kentucky in sacks this year. However, he is projected to play more of a three- technique in Michigan's scheme. While he's not a rankings mover, Moten could very well be one the biggest sleepers in the class. "I'm truly blessed," Moten said. "I'm ready to work and ready to compete. Michigan was meant to be. I was a late riser. I want to be with dogs and compete at the highest level. I feel like Michigan is that school. "You look at Coach Espo, and he's de- veloped kids. I feel like I'm a perfect fit Monroe (N.C.) High's Jordan Young, On3's No. 8 safety and No. 99 overall recruit nationally, flipped to Michigan from Clemson on Dec. 1. PHOTO BY CHAD SIMMONS/ON3