The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532537
2025 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ 36 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MARCH 2025 BY ETHAN MCDOWELL Michigan was always on the radar for Jordan Young and, thanks to a late push from the Wolverines, he ended up flipping from Clemson Dec. 1. Young joined the Wolverines' class just a few days before the early period signing day because the program best matched the core values he looked for in a school. He also picked Michi- gan because it gives him the best shot to win a championship. "What excites me most about Michigan is the opportunity to be part of such a legendary program and contrib- ute to its legacy," Young told On3. "The coaches, the team culture, and the resources there are amazing, both athleti- cally and academically." The four-star prospect from Monroe (N.C.) High, who is rated as the No. 94 player and No. 8 safety in the country by On3, held offers from elite programs all over the country and eventually narrowed his focus to four official visit destinations — Michigan, Florida State, Clemson and NC State. He made it to each of those schools in June and, coming out of his summer travel schedule, the in-state Wolfpack set the pace in his recruitment. "After all four official visits, NC State was at the top," his father, Derek Young, said. Then, NC State struggled to start the season. Jordan attended a few early games, including a blowout loss at Clemson in Death Valley. The playmaking safety post- poned his decision and, after reconsider- ing his options, he committed to the Tigers in November. Secondary coach LaMar Morgan never gave up, maintaining constant contact with Young and continuing to build their relationship. Michigan was the last pro- gram to offer the Monroe standout, ex- tending a scholarship in March. The U-M staff hus- tled, and that caught the family's attention. Both Morgan and head coach Sherrone Moore played major roles in Michigan's eventual flip. "Since that point, they've been pretty much spot-on," Derek said. "With Coach Morgan, it's more than football. We have con- versations about life stuff. … Coach Moore is a good guy, too, and I had several conversations with him. Those two guys are awesome." For most of his recruitment, staying close to home was one of Jordan's top priorities. After many long conversations with his family, his father stressed that going where he felt the most comfortable was far more important than distance. "When we drop you off and you lay your head on that pillow at night, it's going to be you by yourself," Derek said. "You've got to make sure that wherever you go, you're going to be comfortable. Not me, not your mama, not any of your friends. You've got to be comfortable where you're at." Jordan flipped from Clemson to Michi- gan and signed soon after. He will play nickel for the Wolverines. "I'm excited about the chance to de- velop as a player and a student, and to represent a school with such a great tradi- tion," Jordan said. ❑ Jordan Young Was A Late And Positive Addition To The U-M Secondary Young, who flipped to U-M from Clemson on Dec. 1, is rated as the No. 94 player and No. 8 safety in the country by On3. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND 2025 Projection Michigan's secondary will be talented and experienced this fall. Young will arrive in Ann Arbor as an early enrollee who has a chance to hit the weight room, learn during spring prac ce and compete for a spot in the two-deep at nickel behind projected starter Ja'Den McBurrows. THEY SAID IT On3 director of scou ng and rankings Charles Power: "He's an effortless mover who bursts off the line and gets up to full speed quickly. Eats up grass as a route-runner. Has a long, natural stride in the open field. Naturally coordinated and shows the ability to track the ball. He's at his best as a ball-hawking free safety on defense who uses his high-end ball skills to make plays in zone coverage." STATISTICS Year Tackles INT PBU INT-TD 2024 51 7 8 1 2023 66 1 3 0 2022 41 8 3 1 2021 15 3 3 0 HONORS • Helped lead Monroe to a 15-0 state champi- onship season. • Played both sides of the ball, racking up 537 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns on offense. • Monroe never lost more than two football games in a season with Young. • Selected to play in the Navy All American Bowl. • First-ever two- me winner of WSOC-TV's Big 22 Player of the Year award (2023 and '24). RECRUITMENT • Pledged to Michigan Dec. 1, 2024, a er first receiving an offer in March 2024. • Previously commi ed to NC State and then Clemson. • Picked U-M over notable offers from Alabama, Penn State and LSU. • Recruited by U-M posi on coach LaMar Morgan. DID YOU KNOW? • Enrolled at U-M in January. • Also le ered in both basketball and track and field for Monroe, finishing as the basketball team's third-leading scorer (9.0 points per game) and leading assist man (3.0 per game) as a junior guard. • Was a North Carolina 2A all-state finisher in the triple jump (fourth) and long jump (fi h) in 2024. • Son of Derek Young and Lashanda (Nikki) Clark-Young. • Born Oct. 10, 2006. JORDAN YOUNG SAFETY 6-0 • 177 MONROE HIGH MONROE, N.C. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 147 13 6 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 94 8 6 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 16 10 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 95 8 3 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 152 14 5 INDUSTRY