The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532537
2025 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ 34 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MARCH 2025 BY EJ HOLLAND Michigan closed the 2025 recruiting cycle with a massive exclamation point. The Wolverines went all in on Top 100 Denton (Texas) Ryan offensive tackle Ty Haywood and were able to seal the deal with the elite prospect, earning his commitment on National Signing Day in February. "The thing I like about Michigan is the hospitality that they gave me and my family when I was up there," Haywood said. "The facilities and how they have an offensive line section where they have all the trophies and stuff caught my attention, too." Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore per- so n a l ly v i s i te d a n d offered Haywood last winter. However, there was no real movement as Haywood never made it to campus and eventually committed to Alabama in the summer. A native of Mississippi, Haywood grew up rooting for the Crimson Tide and called Alabama his "dream school." His mother was also a big fan of the program. Needless to say, there was no real reason for Alabama to worry about his commit- ment status. Until there was. Michigan revamped its approach to NIL on the recruiting trail and started working on Haywood late in the fall. Like with fellow elite signee Bryce Under- wood, Michigan put an aggressive offer on the table, causing Haywood to delay signing with Alabama during the early period in December. Haywood, the No. 8 offensive tackle and No. 48 overall prospect nationally, backed off his verbal pledge to the Crim- son Tide a month later and made an of- ficial visit to Michigan. It was there where the Wolverines were able to seal the deal. "When I went up there for my visit, I saw how they treated me with great hos- pitality. And not only me, I watched how they treated my family, which means a lot to me," Haywood said. "Not all people will go out of their comfort zone for someone, but that was what really made Michigan my choice." While NIL was arguably the biggest factor in Haywood's recruitment, Moore deserves a ton of credit for leading the charge and ultimately winning him over. "Coach Moore is a great person, he knows what it takes to be an offensive lineman because he has played it and also coached it as well and he played a huge part in my deci- sion," Haywood said. "The calls and the texts all made a difference. … You don't get a phone call from a head coach at a university unless they want you. Then when I was on my visit, he was talking about how the offensive line has to bring the energy for the weights and games, which is the same here at my high school." Michigan also received a boost from the aforementioned Underwood. "I was like 'Wow!' when they landed him," Haywood said. "I never thought that would even be a buzz. He recruited me. He basically kept saying, 'That's the move.'" With Underwood under center and Haywood providing protection upfront, the future of the Michigan offense is ex- tremely bright. ❑ Elite Offensive Tackle Ty Haywood Provides The Last Piece Of The Puzzle For 2025 Class Haywood, a 6-5, 285-pounder from Denton (Texas) Ryan, was listed as the No. 48 overall prospect and the No. 8 offensive tackle nationally in the On3 Industry Ranking. PHOTO COURTESY ON3 2025 Projection It's hard for a true freshman offensive line- man to get on the field right away. However, Haywood has the talent and is physically ready to do so if needed. It's no secret Michigan needs help at guard, and that's likely where Haywood will play early on in his career. The elite prospect is a road grad- ing mauler who loves to get physical in the trenches. If Haywood isn't needed right away, he could benefit from a year in Michigan's strength and condi oning program. Right now, he needs more polish in pass protec- on. Again, he is likely to start inside before working his way back out to tackle later in his career. HONORS • Selected to play in Navy All-American Bowl. • First-team 5A-3 All-District as a senior. • Denton Record-Chronicle All-Area first-team (2024). • Texas Sports Writers Associa on Class 5A All- State honorable men on pick as a junior. RECRUITMENT • Announced his commitment to Michigan on Feb. 5, 2025, Na onal Signing Day, a er receiving offer in February 2024. • Picked U-M a er previously backing out of his commitment to Alabama. • Recruited by U-M head coach Sherrone Moore. DID YOU KNOW? • Recorded more than 50 pancake blocks as a junior. • Also le ered in track and field. • Won the UIL District 7-5A championship as a junior in the shot put (53 feet, 9.75 inches), and later threw a personal best of 56-10.25. • Was born in Mississippi. • Son of Carlo and Leatha Haywood. • Born Oct. 22, 2006. THEY SAID IT On3 director of scou ng and rankings Charles Power: "Ty Haywood has been con- sidered a blue-chip offensive lineman going on several years. He came on the scene as a sophomore at Denton Ryan, playing at a top program at Texas. He's very strong at the point of a ack. He's always shown strong hands, punch and grip strength. He backs that up in track and field, where he's a very good shot put thrower. You can see the func onal strength there as well." TY HAYWOOD OFFENSIVE TACKLE 6-5 • 285 RYAN HIGH DENTON, TEXAS RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 48 8 11 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 76 13 16 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 42 10 12 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 16 3 6 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 77 11 11 INDUSTRY