The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532537
2025 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ 52 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MARCH 2025 BY EJ HOLLAND M ichigan had a strong finish to its 2025 recruiting class, flipping five-star Belleville (Mich.) High quar- terback Bryce Underwood, the nation's top prospect, away from LSU in No- vember and adding Denton (Texas) Ryan offensive lineman Ty Haywood, the No. 48 prospect in the country per the On3 Industry Ranking, during the late sign- ing period in February. U-M's elite lands toward the end of the cycle helped the Wolverines finish with their first top-10 recruiting class since 2022 and highest-ranked class since 2017. Overall, Michigan finished with 24 signees and the No. 6-ranked 2025 recruiting class nationally, per the On3 Industry team recruiting rankings. Michigan is off to a bit of a slow start with its 2026 recruiting class, which features just two verbal commitments through mid-February. However, Mich- igan also started slowly last cycle. At this time last year, the Wolverines had just three verbal commitments. It's not about how you start. It's about how you finish. The Wolverines are building a reputation of closing strong under head coach Sherrone Moore and should contend for their second straight top-10 recruiting class. Here is a position-by-position look at Michigan's needs and where the Wolverines stand with top 2026 targets (On3 rankings are used). QUARTERBACK Commits: 0 Need: 1 Finding an elite quarterback to come in directly after Underwood may be a difficult task for Michigan this cycle. However, the Wolverines are going all in on Top 100 Folsom (Calif.) High signal- caller Ryder Lyons, the No. 3 quarter- back and No. 26 overall prospect na- tionally. Lyons may be more realistic than some expect. Lyon is going on an 18-month mission as part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and won't arrive at the school of his choice until 2027. That means Underwood would be a junior by the time Lyons returns — if the Wolver- ines are lucky enough to win him over. That should be enough separation to make Underwood's presence a non-fac- tor in Lyons' decision-making process. Moore and new Michigan offensive co- ordinator Chip Lindsey both saw Lyons at his school during the winter contact period and are looking to get him on campus this spring. Michigan is battling BYU, Oregon, USC and others. Moore and Lindsey also swung by to see Newbury Park (Calif.) High prospect Brady Smigiel, the No. 16 quarterback and No. 196 overall prospect nationally. Smigiel, who was previously commit- ted to Florida State, is now set to make an unofficial visit to Michigan on April 19 for the annual spring game. South Carolina, UCLA and Washington also will receive spring visits. Michigan recently extended an offer to Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller pros- pect Matt Ponatoski, the No. 9 quarter- back and No. 110 overall recruit nation- ally. A former teammate of Michigan sophomore running back Jordan Mar- shall, Ponatoski was the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Ohio last sea- son. He is also considering Arkansas, Kentucky, Texas A&M and others. Michigan is also taking a closer look at a few other options, including Downey (Calif.) High prospect Oscar Rios, the No. 12 quarterback and No. 170 overall recruit nationally. Michigan has yet to offer, but Lindsey did see him on the road last month. RUNNING BACK Commits: 0 Need: 2 Michigan took two running backs last cycle and will look to do the same in the 2026 class. U-M running backs coach Tony Alford is swinging for the fences and going after the No. 1-ranked run- ning back nationally — Mineral (Va.) Louisa County prospect Savion Hiter. Michigan's Recruiting Priorities For The 2026 Class Michigan will host Savion Hiter, the nation's No. 1 running back prospect, for an official visit June 13. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND