The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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PLAYER BIOS ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ MARCH 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 39 BY EJ HOLLAND Landing Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng was a massive win for Michigan on Na- tional Signing Day in December. Ranked as the No. 25 linebacker and No. 233 overall prospect nationally, Owusu- Boateng committed to Michigan over fel- low finalists Colorado, Notre Dame, Ohio State and USC live on ESPN Dec. 4. It was a long time coming for Michigan, which made Owusu- Boateng its top overall priority at the linebacker position throughout the cycle. "I knew after my of- ficial visit," Owusu- Boateng said. "I was like, 'This is real.' I loved it. My family loved it. I loved how personable the coaches were — Coach BJ [Brian Jean- Mary], Coach Wink [Martindale] and Coach [Sherrone] Moore. It goes all the way down to John Collins, Sam Popper and Sean Magee. They poured a lot into me. They wanted me to commit to be the leader and captain of the defense, so we can get back to a national championship. It was a no-brainer." As Owusu-Boateng mentioned, rela- tionships played a big role in his recruit- ment. First-year Michigan linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary arrived in Ann Arbor in 2024 having a preexisting rela- tionship with Owusu-Boateng. That bond carried over to Michigan, and Jean-Mary was relentless in his pur- suit of the Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy product. "That's my guy," Owusu-Boateng said. "He was recruiting me hard at Tennessee. Once he came over to Michigan, which has a better fan base and alumni base, it was a no-brainer for me. Our relationship got better and better over time. We always kept in contact. It was great. That played a big part." At 6-foot-1, 203 pounds, Owusu- Boateng is an athletic, sideline-to-side- line linebacker made for the Will position in Michigan's defensive scheme. U-M defensive co- ordinator Wink Mar- tindale also played a pivotal role in winning over Owusu-Boateng. He pitched him hard on his pro experience and résumé. "We know that Coach Wink came from the NFL," Owusu-Boateng said. "He coached Ray Lewis. He coached Pat- rick Queen. Those are names that pop when you think of lineback- ers. He told me I had a chance to be one of the best linebackers, so why not do it under Coach Wink? He's done it at a high level and can take me to that level." Owusu-Boateng graduated early and arrived at Michigan as an early enrollee. After missing his entire senior season at IMG due to a foot injury, Owusu-Boateng is eager to show what he can do in The Big House. While Owusu-Boateng has lofty per- sonal goals, his ultimate aim is to help Michigan win another national champi- onship. "I'm coming to work hard, learn the playbook and play early," Owusu-Boateng said. "I want to help us win games and get back to the national championship, where we belong. That's my goal. I see us winning national championships. It's about team glory. Those who stay will be champions." ❑ Relationships Clinched U-M Commitment For Standout LB Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng Owusu-Boateng helped lead IMG Academy to a high school national title as a junior in 2023, per the NationalHSFB.com poll. PHOTO BY CHAD SIMMONS/ON3 2025 Projection Owusu-Boateng signed with Michigan when he was just 16 years old and weighed 203 pounds when the Wolverines did measurements. A er missing his en re senior season due to a foot injury, he will need me to get healthy and develop physically. Owusu-Boateng needs to add muscle mass in both halves while maintaining his elite speed and athle cism. He will likely receive a redshirt before making an impact in his second year with the program. Owusu-Boateng should be a mul -year starter for the Wolverines down the line. STATISTICS Year Tackles TFL Sack FR 2024 Injured, did not play 2023 45 6 1 1 HONORS • Selected to play in Under Armour All-America Game. • Invited to play in Polynesian Bowl. • Named a MaxPreps Preseason Junior All- American. • Helped lead IMG Academy to a high school na onal tle in 2023. RECRUITMENT • Pledged to Michigan Dec. 4, 2024, a er receiving offer in January 2022. • Picked U-M over offers from Colorado, Notre Dame and USC, among others. • Recruited by U-M linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary. DID YOU KNOW? • Originally hails from Virginia. • Played two seasons at Hya sville (Md.) De- Matha Catholic prior to transferring to IMG. • Half-brother, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, plays for the Cleveland Browns and was a 2023 Pro Bowl selec on. • Is of Ghanaian descent. • Son of Andrew and Martha Owusu-Koramoah. • Born Jan. 16, 2007. THEY SAID IT Owusu-Boateng's NIL agent, Cliff Hill: "I really like coach Wink Mar ndale and coach BJ [Jean- Mary]. Coach BJ was with us a lot throughout the trips, and he did a good job explaining their defense and how Nathaniel would fit into what they are looking for. He's a truly special player. "He may end up moving around a bit, but he's such a natural fit at Will. He can cover, play the run and blitz. He's a well-rounded player. He's a total student of the game. He loves to study, work out and get be er. "I think, at some point in his life, he may be- come a coach. That's not what he thinks … but he's so good at it and so passionate about it." NATHANIEL OWUSU-BOATENG LINEBACKER 6-1 • 203 IMG ACADEMY (FLA.) HYATTSVILLE, MD. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 233 25 33 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 59 62 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 32 33 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 75 7 12 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 43 2 7 INDUSTRY