The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532537
2025 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ 28 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MARCH 2025 BY EJ HOLLAND On3 Top 100 Chester (Va.) T h o m a s Da l e co r n e rba c k Shamari Earls thought he found the right fit on two separate occasions before his senior year. Earls gave South Carolina a verbal commitment early on in the process before he started to rack up more and more major offers following a standout junior season that saw him earn all-region hon- ors on both sides of the ball. Earls eventually reopened his recruitment and released a final three of Georgia, Michigan and South Caro- lina. He picked Georgia in July, but that wouldn't be the end of his recruitment. "I feel like I committed a little too early when I chose South Carolina," Earls said. "After my track season, I picked up big offers like Ala- bama, Georgia and Michigan. I reevaluated my options. I always wanted to play for the best, and I picked Georgia, but Michigan still stayed in the back of my mind." Michigan head coach Sher- rone Moore and secondary coach LaMar Morgan were relentless in their pursuit of Earls. Even after he sided with Georgia, Moore and Morgan stayed in contact on a weekly basis. The two were able to convince Earls to make an official visit to Michigan in October. Earls flipped for the last time a week later and signed with the Wolverines during the early period. "Coach Morgan and Coach Moore stayed on me the whole time," Earls said. "We took a visit, and we loved it. I feel like the culture, the coaches and the people led me to flipping. Michigan had an off year, but I feel like we're going to be back in a national championship. We have a great 2025 recruiting class. I believe in Coach Moore's vision for the program and the future." Earls' trainer and mentor, Kytwan Heath, also sees Michigan as a perfect fit for the elite defensive back. "I've gotten to know the staff over the past couple of months," Heath said. "I like what they are doing. I like the direc- tion they are headed in. With the type of character players Michigan brings in, Shamari fits them to a T. "He's a good kid. You don't have to worry about him getting in any trouble. I'm excited for him. I can't wait to be in Ann Arbor rooting him on with all those fans. They are getting a special player." Earls was at the very top of Michigan's cornerback board for the majority of the cycle. In fact, Morgan pressed hard for Earls and made him feel like a top priority shortly after he was hired by the Wolverines in the winter. As the cycle wore on, Earls and Morgan grew extremely close, which played a big role in his decision to make another flip. "Coach Morgan is very hon- est and straight up," Earls said. "He's going to tell you how you fit in and what he wants to do with you. He doesn't sugarcoat anything. He's going to make you better. "He's a guy you can trust and your parents can trust. Out of all the coaches we talked to, my parents trust Coach Mor- gan the most." Earls is expected to fill the void vacated by star Michi- gan cornerback Will Johnson, who's headed to the NFL this spring. Like Johnson, Earls is a tall, rangy corner who has the length and physicality to dom- inate in man coverage. Earls also has the speed, running a blazing 10.87 in the 100-meter dash. Earls and Johnson became friends during his recruitment and have remained in close contact. "I talk to Will a lot," Earls said. "My dad has become friends with his dad. I look up to Will a lot. I want to continue the legacy. I study film with him. I'll ask him questions, and he'll hit me back and give me feedback. I'm just ready to play and take over his spot. That's big shoes to fill. But I feel like I'm ready." Earls, the No. 13 cornerback and No. 89 overall prospect nationally according to On3, shares similarities with Johnson but also brings his own unique skill set. "I tell people this all the time — he has a rare breed of talent that you don't see too often," Heath said. "With his size, his length and his speed, he's just a different type of player. He's what I call a 'freak' on the field. "He also has character. He's a great kid and comes from a great family. He's a hard worker. He's everything you are looking for in a football player. I stand behind that. "You can do anything you want with Persistence Helped U-M Land Shamari Earls, One Of The Nation's Best Cornerbacks Earls committed to South Carolina initially, then switched to Georgia, before finally signing with Michigan. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND