The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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42 THE WOLVERINE ❱ AUGUST 2025 ❱ COMMIT PROFILE BY ETHAN MCDOWELL J onathan Brown earned his Michi- gan offer this summer with two eye- catching performances in front of the Wolverine staff. Running backs coach Tony Alford noticed his standout show- ing at a Sound Mind Sound Body Show- case in Detroit and reached out to the three-star running back with a U-M camp invite. One day after that conversation with Alford, Brown hit the road with the GPS set to Ann Arbor, and the Colum- bus (Ohio) St. Francis DeSales star did not waste his opportunity. He ran a 4.55 40-yard-dash, logged a 40-inch verti- cal jump and logged a 4.1 shuttle time. Those impressive testing numbers helped the 6-1, 200-pound rusher earn his Michigan offer, and he wrapped up his recruitment almost immediately. Rutgers also hosted him earlier in the month, but the Wolverines quickly surged past the Scarlet Knights. "There was a lot going on," Brown said. "I talked with my parents before everything happened, so if I did get the offer, we felt like it was the best decision for me to commit because of what Sher- rone Moore is building at Michigan and knowing Coach Alford and the backs that he has produced. … I got the of- fer Thursday when I talked with Coach Moore in his office, and then I commit- ted the same day." Alford called Brown after the camp and told him he's proud of the under- the-radar running back, who has built a strong connection with his future posi- tion coach. "He's a great guy," Brown said. "He's honest, and straight to the point. He's not going to bluff, he's going to let you know what you're doing wrong, he's not going to beat around the bush. I really like that. And he loves his players." When college coaches stopped by St. Francis DeSales this year to evalu- ate Brown, they shared a familiar and consistent refrain with head coach Ryan Wiggins. "They said, 'I'd like to get him on campus to see if he can do that when he's here,' and that's what he did," Wig- gins said. "From what I understand, he was just extremely impressive in all ways — personally, athletically. He tested and performed very well at camp." The sudden end to his recruitment was the culmination of years of hard work. "Since he's been young, he's been a game breaker-type player," Wiggins said. "He's the kind of guy who could make explosive plays with the ball in his hands. And he's always been that way since I remember. Over this past year and a half, just the physical develop- ment — he put on 25 or 30 pounds of muscle. His numbers, like his 40 times and his vertical and all those types of things, are really impressive. It's all coming together." Michigan relied on its in-person eval- uation to find a hidden gem in the Mid- west. Brown ran for 1,295 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior but did so while weighing around 170. He bulked up to 200 pounds this offseason. With just a couple of months until his senior season kicks off, the U-M commit wants to continue improving his pad level and ability to shed tack- les. Brown is looking forward to show- ing off the leaps forward he made this offseason. "I feel like I'm definitely more explo- sive, faster, stronger," Brown said. "I'll be running through more people, and people will see that on film for sure." Before Michigan offered, Brown held one other Power Four offer — Rutgers. He is currently ranked as the No. 75 running back nationally by Rivals' scouts but No. 43 in the Rivals Industry Ranking, an equally weighted average of his ratings from Rivals, 247 Sports and ESPN. Brown is from the heart of Buckeye country, but he's ready to be a Wolver- ine. "Growing up in Ohio, of course it's a little different, but Michigan really saw something in me," Brown said. "And I'm glad for my decision." ❑ U-M Nabs Under-The-Radar Ohio Running Back Jonathan Brown PLAYER EVALUATION STRENGTHS: This is not a prospect that many people are going to be familiar with. Rutgers is the only other Power Four school that extended a scholarship. However, Jonathan Brown rushed for more than 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns at St. Francis DeSales last season. He also doubles as a high-level baseball prospect. He's drawn Division I interest as both a third baseman and outfielder. He is definitely a boom-or-bust recruit, but there is a lot to like about his athletic profile. Brown put up impressive testing numbers at Michigan's camp. He measured in at a legit 6-foot-1, 200 pounds. He also posted a verified 4.55 40-yard-dash and a 40-inch vertical leap. Given those numbers and his baseball background, Brown could turn into a true diamond in the rough for running backs coach Tony Alford. But a lot will depend on his development. AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: Brown is an upright runner who provides a bigger frame for opposing defenders to hit. He has the size and strength to run with power, but that can be negated as he often doesn't lower his pads between the tackles. He can continue to improve his vision as well as his balance. There is a lot to like about Brown's metrics such as his 40 and vertical, but he is still far from a finished product as a true ball carrier. His upside, however, is intriguing. PLAYER COMPARISON: Current U-M freshman running back Jasper Parker. — The Wolverine recruiting analyst EJ Holland Now a 200-pounder, Brown ran for 1,295 yards and 16 touchdowns as a 170-pound junior back. The Columbus (Ohio) St. Francis DeSales standout runs a 4.55 40-yard dash and boasts a 40-inch vertical leap. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND