The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532537
2025 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ 38 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MARCH 2025 BY ETHAN MCDOWELL Michigan held off a late push from Missouri to sign Jacob Wash- ington — the program's first re- ceiver commit standing taller than 6-foot-2 since the 2022 cycle. He's a deep threat and a playmaker who has the ability to take the top off a defense. Washington was a priority for wide receivers coach Ron Bel- lamy, and the Wolverines secured his commitment June 24. Bel- lamy played for New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw — the Wolverine signee's alma mater. They developed under the same head coach, Hank Tierney, at the prep level, and Michigan's receiv- ers coach played a significant role in Washington's decision to sign with the program. "That definitely went hand-in- hand with my decision, just know- ing that coach Ron Bellamy would be up there and he'd be looking af- ter me as I developed in my three to four years at Michigan," Washington said. On3 considers Washington one of the nation's elite receivers, slotting him into the final On300 at No. 93. He's the No. 5 recruit in Louisiana at 6-foot-3, 183 pounds. Michigan was a contender for the Top 100 prospect from the day the staff offered. After spending two days in Ann Arbor last spring, Washington added an of- fer from the Wolverines. And from that moment, the program solidified its spot as a top contender for the receiver. "I knew Michigan was a school that would hold a heavy spot in my heart," Washington said. "I developed a great relationship with the staff, and the cul- ture was second to none at Michigan." His bond with the program grew quickly. After taking official visits to Georgia Tech, Missouri and Baylor, he pledged to Michigan. The Tigers never gave up in his recruitment, but they could not do enough to steer him away from Ann Arbor. "I truly believe — and I know — that the future for Michigan is going to be bright," Washington said. "Under new leadership with [head coach] Sherrone Moore, we're going to continue the cul- ture and just represent what being a Michigan man represents." Washington fully trusts Moore's vi- sion for the program. The four-star pass catcher views himself as a speedy receiver with a polished route tree. He compared himself to Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson and said he can be a home run hitter and a consistent third- down target. Michigan pulled off a huge recruiting win to flip five-star plus+ quarterback Bryce Underwood and kept Washington in the class as well, ensuring the pro- gram's new signal-caller would have a dynamic deep threat to throw to this fall and beyond. "Michigan's a spotlight," Washington said. "Who doesn't want to be in the spotlight, you know? I just saw that in Ann Arbor, and I saw myself there in Ann Arbor." ❑ Jacob Washington Adds Deep Threat To Michigan Receiver Room Washington, a four-star wide receiver who stands 6-foot- 3, hails from the same New Orleans high school — Archbishop Shaw — as his U-M recruiter and position coach, Ron Bellamy (left). PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND STATISTICS Year Rec. Yds. TD 2024 29 671 8 2023 21 291 4 HONORS • Helped team win the 2024 Louisiana Division II state championship, receiving Most Outstand- ing Player honors from GeauxPreps.com. • Finished with 8 recep ons for 105 and 2 touch- downs in his team's 28-25 state championship victory against E.D. White High. • Received Louisiana Sports Writers Associa on Class 4A first-team all-state honors as a senior. • Helped lead Archbishop Shaw to district tles as a junior and a senior. • Le ered in basketball and track and field. RECRUITMENT • Pledged to Michigan June 24, 2024, a er receiving offer in April 2024. • Picked U-M over notable offers from Miami, Penn State and Arkansas. • Recruited by U-M wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy. DID YOU KNOW? • Played basketball and competed for the track and field program as a sprinter and a long jumper. • A ended same high school as both U-M wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy and fellow 2025 U-M signee Jasper Parker. • Born April 24, 2007. THEY SAID IT On3 director of scou ng and rankings Charles Power: "Physically gi ed wide receiver with the size, athle cism, and senior season that point to a high upside. Measured at around 6-foot-3, 180 pounds with plus length prior to his senior season. One of the be er combine athletes among the top 2025 wide receivers. A nimble mover who showed encouraging improvement as a route-runner as a senior. Has a long stride and the ability to separate ver cally. Adept at running out-breaking routes. Catches with solid technique, framing the football with both hands." JACOB WASHINGTON WIDE RECEIVER 6-3 • 183 ARCHBISHOP SHAW HIGH NEW ORLEANS RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 210 27 8 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 93 14 5 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 64 17 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 177 22 5 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 54 16 INDUSTRY 2025 Projection Washington is the only U-M receiver signee who is not an early enrollee, but he will have a chance to earn a role in the rota on when he arrives on campus this summer. His height and big-play ability are intriguing traits that could help him see the field early in his Michigan career.