The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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JUNE/JULY 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 39 ❱ FOOTBALL RECRUITING in Cass Tech do-it-all athlete CJ Sadler. Michigan has a commanding lead for Sadler on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. However, the Wolverines will have to fight off Colorado, Oregon, USC and others. "CJ is probably the most competi- tive kid we've ever had," Blackwell said. "He'll play any sport. He'll do anything. One thing that sets CJ apart from the rest is his willingness to be the best. He'll do whatever it takes to win. If you watch him play basketball or football, he'll do whatever it takes to win." Winning over Sadler in 2026 is a must for the Wolverines. But in-state recruit- ing won't really take center stage until next cycle. The local 2027 class may be the best the state has seen since the 2021 class, which featured seven Top 300 pros- pects, including former Michigan run- ning back Donovan Edwards. Early on, the 2027 class also has seven in the On300 rankings. "We're loaded," Blackwell said. "It's really a testament to these guys staying competitive and working year-round. They do camps and go to tournaments. They really want to be like Will Johnson and Dante Moore. The bar has been set in the city of Detroit. If you work hard, you can get to that level. It has the po- tential to be as good as 2021. There are a lot of guys we know about, but there are also guys that are going to break out during their junior years." The 2028 class may be equally im- portant. While it may not be as deep as 2027, the 2028 class is headlined by Cass Tech quarterback Donald Tabron II, who could very well be Detroit's next five-star signal-caller. "Don Tabron has been around the game since he was 7 years old," Black- well said. "He's a very high-level, intel- ligent guy. He has a great football IQ. He has a big arm. He got a lot of experience playing as a true freshman and winning a state championship. His dad played college football. He understands what it takes to be at the next level." Overall, Blackwell believes Michigan is in a strong position on the recruit- ing trail and sees a bright future for the program. "I think Michigan is loaded with tal- ent," Blackwell said. "What they are doing with NIL is phenomenal. The biggest thing with them is staying hungry. They just have to keep beat- ing Ohio State. Even though Ohio State won the national championship, they beat Ohio State. They still have the swag and confidence. That helps them recruit. "They are setting themselves apart from other programs in the Big Ten. There is a big gap between Michigan and Michigan State." ❏ Meet The 2027 Sound Mind Sound Body Class Founder Curtis Blackwell II shared his quick thoughts on the top class of 2027 in-state prospects cur- rently in his Sound Mind Sound Body program (On3 rankings used below): WR Dakota Guerrant, Harper Woods (No. 21 overall player and No. 3 pass catcher nationally) "Dakota is an athlete. He can probably play every position on the field. He can play quarterback, receiver, safety and corner. He's a winner. He's special. He's one of the top athletes in America and the No. 1 wide receiver overall [in Michigan]." TE Anthony Cartwright, Detroit Country Day (No. 173 overall, No. 10 tight end) "Cartwright is a three-sport athlete. He plays basketball, baseball and football. He plays wide receiver, tight end and defensive end. He's going to have a dominant junior season. He's not one-dimensional. He's just another great athlete." OL Jameer Henry, King (No. 251 overall, No. 23 offensive tackle) "Jameer Henry is the top offensive lineman in the state of Michigan. He's a dominant interior guy. He's a beast. He's a monster of a guy. His best years are in front of him. He's big, but he's an athlete. He's the best big athlete. He's light on his toes. He's never on the ground. He's going to be a guy." WR Chad Willis, St. Mary's (NR) "Chad Willis is another top guy. He has great pedigree. His brother was Mr. Basketball, and his father was a top high school basketball player. He's a big boy. He can play inside or outside. He can be a big- time Y. He has excellent ball skills and a big frame. He's still developing but has high upside." ATH Darryl Flemister, King (NR) "Flem is an athlete. He does everything at Martin Luther King. His dad is one of the top athletes to come out of the city of Detroit. When I think of Flem, I just think of a baller. He's a guy who can play receiver, defensive back and quarterback. He's tough, a team player and plays both sides of the ball." — EJ Holland U-M wide receivers coach and area recruiting lead Ron Bellamy has prioritized keeping the best in-state and local players close to home in Ann Arbor. PHOTO BY LON HORNWEDEL