The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 49 ❱ MICHIGAN RECRUITING NOTEBOOK ball field," Blackwell said. "Last year, you look at his film, he played quarter- back and receiver, he can play defensive back, corner, safety. And on top of that, he loves the game." Guerrant also sprints for his school's track team and runs hurdles. In his off time, when he's not practicing with his teammates, competing on the national 7-on-7 circuit or playing another sport, he's still working on his game. The receiver's attention to detail makes him a special prospect, Harper Woods head coach Rod Oden — the fa- ther of current Wolverine Jacob Oden who also coached Michigan legend Brandon Graham — explained to The Wolverine. "He studies all the greats," Oden said. "He's inquisitive, he learns from his mistakes, he very rarely makes the same mistake twice, and he just has a passion to be the best, to be elite." In pursuit of greatness, Guerrant went on a national 7-on-7 tour this offseason, playing for South Florida Express. He teamed up with nationally ranked prospects like Chace Calicut and Michigan commit Andre Clarke to travel the country and compete. "He seeks out the top guys nationally and wants to go against them," Oden said. "When you have that kind of mindset, only great things will happen for you." Gerald Guerrant, Dakota's father, is Oden's godbrother. The younger Guerrant grew up around football and has very close connections to the Wolverines as well. He already holds offers from 24 Power Four schools, but that has not slowed down his drive to prove himself as the best in the na- tion. "Those types of things have shown and proven that he's a guy," Blackwell said. "He's not a guy that's just a guy that you could look at as regional. He's national." Dakota grew up with Michi- gan freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, who also came out of the Sound Mind Sound Body organization. He's the latest recruit to emerge in a program that produces blue-chip talent every year. In Blackwell's opinion, Dakota has the potential to be special. Michigan views him as a top-of-the-board target. Blackwell believes the receiver's love for the game and commitment to improve- ment puts him on an exciting course as he approaches his junior season. "I think that gives him the chance to be one of the top guys to come out of this area in a long time," Blackwell said. "We've had some great guys in Sound Mind Sound Body. We've seen them all, and Dakota's right on that track— in the 10th grade — to have all of that stuff." — Ethan McDowell BROTHER OF FORMER WOLVERINE HAS HIGH INTEREST Keon Sabb was one of Michigan's big- gest wins of the 2022 recruiting cycle. The former top-100 safety flashed during his stay in Ann Arbor but ulti- mately decided to transfer to Alabama prior to last season. While things didn't work out for Keon in Ann Arbor, that doesn't mean U-M won't be a factor for his younger brother, Xavier Sabb. A five-star 2027 athlete out of Glass- boro (N.J.) High, Xavier is even more highly touted than Keon and should be a priority for the Wolverines next cycle. "I'm still considering Michigan," Xavier said. "Keon still plays a big part. He's been to Michigan. He can tell me what he likes about Michigan and what it was like there. Michigan is still a school I'm going to be looking at for sure." Xavier added that he is very fond of Michigan and has nothing but great memories from his time visiting his older brother in Ann Arbor. "I love Michigan," Xavier said. "We would go there all the time to see my brother. I love the campus. The coaches were great. They treated us like fam- ily. A lot of people have issues with the weather, but I like it. The food there is good, too." Xavier is looking to return to Michi- gan as an actual recruit at some point in the near future. "I would love to get back out there for another visit," Xavier said. "We'll see if we can schedule something. I would want to see what it's like in the wide receiver room. I want to sit in on the meetings. I was young when I was out there last time, so I want to get more of a look at all of that." Xavier added that he also wants to see what Michigan's offense looks like under new coordinator Chip Lindsey and freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, the former No. 1 overall recruit nationally. "I want to see them switch up the offense and pass the ball a little bit more," Xavier said. "With that type of quarter- back, they can really sling the ball around. I want to see what the offense looks like now that they are looking to throw the ball more." Along with Michigan, Xavier holds offers from Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas, USC and others. At 6 - fo o t , 1 8 0 p o u n d s, Xavier is ranked as the No. 1 athlete and No. 13 overall re- cruit nationally, per the Rivals Industry Ranking. — EJ Holland At 6-foot, 180 pounds, Xavier Sabb is ranked as the No. 1 athlete and No. 12 overall recruit nationally in the 2027 cycle per the Rivals Industry Ranking. The five-star prospect is the younger brother of former Wolverine defensive back Keon Sabb. PHOTO BY CHAD SIMMONS/RIVALS