The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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48 THE WOLVERINE ❱ APRIL 2025 Leo Delaney locked in an extensive spring visit schedule to set the stage for the final stretch of his decision-making process. The HighSchoolOT All-State second-team selection as a junior plans to visit Michigan, Clemson, NC State, North Carolina, Penn State and Tennes- see (twice). Unless something changes drastically, U-M will host him this summer. Delaney, the No. 128 recruit in the country and the No. 6 interior offensive lineman in the 2026 class per the On3 Industry Ranking, also will spend April 5 in Ann Arbor. He visited twice last year, and Michi- gan's staff returned the favor with a cou- ple of trips to Charlotte to meet with the Providence Day star during the January evaluation period. He feels great about U-M's standing in his recruitment. "Ever since the first time I visited Mich- igan at the Barbecue at The Big House, it's really been a place that I can definitely see myself at. It's going to be down to the end of the road with them. They're going to be a hat on the table." Offensive line coach Grant Newsome is his primary recruiter and has done a great job of building a connection with Del- aney and his family. Head coach Sherrone Moore has also impressed the lineman. When he camped with the Wolverines, Moore coached him through drills. That reaffirmed to Delaney that this is a pro- gram that puts its offensive linemen first. Michigan is one of his only far-from- home contenders, but he'd be comfort- able making that move thanks to his im- pressions of the university so far. "It's the culture, 100 percent," he said. Newsome stays in constant contact with Delaney. They have a very strong relationship, the lineman said. Delaney outlined what he wants to learn about Michigan over his next couple of trips to campus. "I feel like I've seen a good amount of what I want to see in that program — like the work ethic they have, the trend that they have," Delaney said. "I just want to keep getting around the coaches, the players, making sure it's my type of room to be in and Coach Newsome is my type of coach to get me to where I want to be." Delaney has a June 13 official visit set with Michigan. That's subject to change based on his unofficial spring visits. "I'm only taking four officials, and it's going to be the four schools I like the most out of this spring," Delaney said. And once he locks in those visits, he has a timeline in mind to make a final deci- sion. Michigan remains a top contender. "I want to commit mid-July," Del- aney said. "As long as nothing happens where there's one spot left at my favorite school, then I'd probably commit there, but if I get as much time as I'd like, it'll be July." — Ethan McDowell Michigan offered Havon Finney Jr. Feb. 18, and, at that point, he was the No. 2 cornerback in the 2027 class and the No. 5 recruit nationally. The elite defensive back announced recently that he will re- classify to the 2026 cycle, accelerating his recruiting process. Even though he attends high school hundreds of miles away from Ann Arbor at Los Angeles Sierra Canyon High, he was very appreciative of the offer from the Wolverines. The On3 Top 100 prospect trains with former U-M stars and grew up idolizing one of the program's greats. "That offer meant a lot," Finney said. "That's pretty big. It's one of the schools I always liked growing up. Charles Wood- son used to be one of my favorite players." Finney is a Las Vegas Raiders fan who grew up watching Woodson's highlights, and that included his days in the maize and blue. Finney also works out with Da- vid Long and Lavert Hill. In fact, the for- mer Wolverines helped organize the call that landed him the Michigan offer. "They told me the education is good," Finney said. "It's a big school. Obviously, you would play against great competition. They're going to develop you very well." Development will be key in the 6-foot-2 cornerback's recruitment. An opportunity to earn early playing time would be appealing to him as well. Aca- demics are also important to Finney. Secondary coach LaMar Morgan is his primary recruiter. Finney is looking for a position coach who will prepare him for the next level. He has enjoyed his initial conversations with Morgan and his au- thentic approach to recruiting. "I like how real he was," Finney said. "… He's really straight up." The Wolverines will have elite competi- tion for the blue-chip corner who wants to make his commitment before his senior season. Finney told On3's Chad Simmons that he is considering official visits to Michigan, Ohio State, USC, UCLA, Texas, Oregon, LSU and Texas A&M. Finney told The Wolverine he "defi- nitely" has plans to travel to Michigan at some point this spring. "I'll visit within the next month," he said in February. Michigan is one of his "favorite" schools and looks to be a legitimate con- tender for the coveted corner. He outlined what he wants to observe on his first trip to Ann Arbor. "I really just want to see the environ- ment and how the DBs get coached," Finney said. "And where they see me on the field and what they see me doing for the program." Finney also is a track standout, clocking in at 10.93 seconds in the 100 meters and 22.09 in the 200 last spring. After his reclassification, Finney is the No. 100 recruit and No. 13 cornerback na- tionally, per the On3 Industry Ranking. — Ethan McDowell On300 Offensive Lineman Talks Decision Process, Timetable U-M A 'Favorite' For Reclassified California Cornerback ❱ PREP PROFILES ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Providence Day Charlotte, N.C. Class: 2026 Position: Interior offensive line Ht.: 6-5 • Wt.: 275 On3 Industry Ranking: No. 8 player in North Carolina, and No. 6 interior offensive lineman and No. 128 overall prospect nationally ❱ Leo Delaney ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Sierra Canyon Los Angeles Class: 2026 Position: Cornerback Ht.: 6-2 • Wt.: 170 On3 Industry Ranking: No. 13 player in Califor- nia, and No. 13 cornerback and No. 100 overall prospect nationally ❱ Havon Finney Jr.