The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MAY 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 53 ❱ COMMIT PROFILE Michigan offered Daylen Sharper dur- ing a visit in April, but the rising class of 2026 wide receiver's interest in the pro- gram stretches back further than that. He returned to campus March 29 to bolster the connections he built on a game day visit last fall. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound pass catcher from Phoenix (Ariz.) Brophy College Prep is ranked by On3 as the No. 10 re- cruit in Arizona and the No. 113 wide re- ceiver in the country. He has offers from Oregon, Colorado, Wisconsin and oth- ers. His recent trip to Ann Arbor kept him very interested in Michigan. Sharper took in a comprehensive look at what the pro- gram has to offer. "The visit was really fun, exciting and obviously really good," Sharper said. "I got to see their facilities, got to talk to the coaches, bond with the coaches, meet some players, watch their practice, watch how they compete and don't take any plays off and then went around the campus and just saw what the student life is like. "Overall, it was a great opportunity, and I'm just grateful that I got to experi- ence Michigan for a day." Sharper racked up 846 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior alongside fellow receiver target Devin Fitzgerald. U-M wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy is his primary recruiter, and their conversations went well on this visit. "I really respect him," Sharper said. "He had great hospitality for my visit, brought me around, showed me everything. I just know that they really want me." Even though he is nowhere close to a decision, Sharper did share that he is "definitely very interested" in the Wol- verines. He enjoyed the trip and plans on returning this summer for an official visit. The receiver wants to find a program that will develop him as a person and an athlete. Sharper explained why Michigan has his attention. "First of all, they have the best business school in the country, which really in- trigues me. It's a great academic school," Sharper said. "It's in the Midwest, a Big Ten school, and they're a blue blood. They compete for a national championship almost ev- ery year, or at least could compete for a national championship almost every year. That really excites me. And then, of course, their coaching staff, which I feel like I have a really good connection with." Sharper's official visit will be the next pivotal point in his Michigan recruitment. He will be looking for an authentic win- dow into life as a U-M student while on campus. Then, the three-star receiver plans on making a commitment at some point this summer. — Ethan McDowell Top 100 Richmond (Va.) St. Chris- topher's offensive lineman Darius Gray made his first visit to Michigan in a year in mid-April. It was important for the Wolverines to get Gray back on campus as they look to continue adding elite talent in the trenches. And it's safe to say U-M moved the needle during his midweek visit. "The visit went great," Gray said. "The biggest part for me was the care for play- ers after they are done playing and the connections. The ability to connect with many alums is one of the biggest things that stood out." Of course, Gray was also impressed with the football side of Michigan. He took in a practice session and paid close attention to U-M offensive line coach Grant Newsome. "I love the way Coach Newsome coached," Gray said. "He was very hands on with his players and allowed himself to teach and get after it a bit." This visit also allowed Gray to recon- nect with Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore. In order for the Wolverines to win this recruitment, Moore will have to lead the way moving forward. After all, Moore was a big reason the Wolverines closed with two Top 50 of- fensive linemen last cycle. "The meeting with Coach Moore went great," Gray said. "We were able to talk about a few things that Michigan offers, such as the alumni base and other things like that." It's no secret Michigan lost some stock with Gray over the last several months. However, the Wolverines are still in the thick of things in his recruitment and definitely helped themselves on this visit. "Michigan is a school that I will con- sider when the time is ready," Gray said. "They are a contender because not only are they able to take care of you off the field, but they are also just as good on the field. In most schools, you have to sacri- fice one." Gray added that he hopes to set an of- ficial visit with Michigan soon but has no exact date in mind. However, he does know what he's looking for. "I just hope to get around the players next time," Gray said. Gray may take his recruitment into the fall, so there is still a long way to go in his process. He is working on finalizing his official visit schedule. Right now, he has OVs planned to Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, Virginia and Virginia Tech. Gray recently signed with NIL agency Jordan Sports Group, which also repre- sents five-star Michigan running back target Savion Hiter. At 6-foot-3, 285 pounds, Gray is ranked by On3 as the No. 2 interior offensive line- man and No. 65 overall prospect nation- ally. — EJ Holland Rising Wide Receiver Planning Return To U-M For Official Visit Top 100 Offensive Lineman Recaps Midweek Visit To Michigan ❱ PREP PROFILES ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Brophy College Prep Phoenix Class: 2026 Position: Wide receiver Ht.: 6-3 • Wt.: 175 On3 Rankings: No. 10 recruit in Arizona, and No. 113 wide receiver nationally ❱ Daylen Sharper ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ St. Christopher's School Richmond, Va. Class: 2026 Position: Interior offensive line Ht.: 6-3 • Wt.: 285 On3 Rankings: No. 2 recruit in Virginia, and No. 2 interior offensive lineman and No. 65 overall prospect nationally ❱ Darius Gray