The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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38 THE WOLVERINE ❱ JUNE/JULY 2025 BY EJ HOLLAND T here is no recruiting figurehead more important in the state of Michigan than Sound Mind Sound Body founder Curtis Blackwell II. Sound Mind Sound Body and Black- well have helped hundreds of local pros- pects achieve their dreams of playing at the next level, including Michigan play- ers like Will Johnson, Semaj Morgan and Bryce Underwood. "We have the largest after-school program in the state of Michigan," Blackwell said. "We use that as a cata- lyst to get these kids into sports. "Kids don't pay to be in our program. It's 100 percent sponsored. We work with more than 1,000 kids at 28 differ- ent schools. We have more than 3,000 kids in our youth league. We come into contact with these kids at an early age. "We go from youth league to our af- ter-school program to our travel team. We also facilitate some of the biggest camps in America and always visit col- leges. We give kids a whole experience. "We may not always have the No. 1 7v7 team, but we're always going to have good kids and good athletes, and we prepare them for life after high school." Needless to say, Michigan's in-state recruiting success is largely tied to its bond with Sound Mind Sound Body. There was a time just a handful of years ago when Michigan high school coaches vocally expressed their dis- pleasure with U-M's in-state efforts. The Wolverines also missed on some key Sound Mind Sound Body prospects, and local recruiting just didn't seem like a top priority. However, there have been no com- plaints over the last few cycles. Both area recruiter Ron Bellamy, who previ- ously was head coach at West Bloom- field High, and head coach Sherrone Moore have emphasized the importance of keeping blue-chippers in their own backyard at home. Blackwell has been impressed with the local push and wants to see it con- tinue. "Bellamy has done a good job of get- ting these young guys on campus," Blackwell said. "Michigan State is really pushing, so Michigan is going to have to continue to do a good job of prioritizing these guys. When you got Will Johnson, Donovan Edwards, Makari Paige, Bryce Underwood, it made it easier for others to follow in their footsteps. "Now, they have to prove they can win with [Top 100 wide receiver] Dakota Guerrant. Coach Bellamy has to come through and win that battle. If Dakota doesn't stay in-state, it opens the pos- sibility for others to leave the state. "You want to keep your backyard in order. I think Sherrone Moore has done a good job of building relationships. Coming from working as an assistant at Central Michigan, he understands the importance of relationships." Michigan used former five-star in- state cornerback Will Johnson as a big recruiting tool during his time on cam- pus. With Johnson off to the NFL, the torch is now being passed to five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, who, like Johnson, grew up in the Sound Mind Sound Body program. Underwood flipped from LSU to Michigan late last cycle and has quickly become the new face of the U-M pro- gram. "Bryce is a legend," Blackwell said. "He sets the benchmark to be the guy on a national level. He's making everyone feel like they can be the man, too. It's not farfetched. It's attainable. "When you think of being No. 1, you think of Bryce. When you think of NIL, you think of Bryce. When you think of a guy staying home, you think of Bryce. He's a legend in the city because he's done it." The 2026 in-state recruiting class leaves a lot to be desired. However, De- troit is home to one big-time prospect ❱ FOOTBALL RECRUITING Sound Mind Sound Body Continues To Impact Kids In The Detroit Area The Sound Mind Sound Body program, founded by Curtis Blackwell II in 2004, has helped thou- sands of kids in the Detroit area become better students and outstanding football players. PHOTO COURTESY ON3