The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1540586
50 THE WOLVERINE ❱ NOVEMBER 2025 BY EJ HOLLAND M idway through the high school season, my travel schedule has worked out to be more regional in scope thus far. With that in mind, this list reflects the top-performing Michigan recruits and/or commits in the Mid- Atlantic region whom I've seen play in person this fall. 5. LB Nick Abrams Owings Mills (Md.) McDonogh Ranked as the No. 237 prospect and No. 14 linebacker in the land by Rivals, Abrams committed to Georgia over Michigan, Oregon and Alabama this summer. However, Michigan is pushing for a flip, and it's not hard to see why. Abrams is an athletic linebacker who moves well in space and fills gaps in a hurry. Unfortunately, when I saw him live last month, Abrams mostly came off the edge and had limited snaps at his natural linebacker position. He did show his speed when he got after the quarterback, but it was a limited per- formance from arguably the best line- backer on Michigan's board this cycle. 4. DL Joseph Buchanan (2027) Owings Mills (Md.) McDonogh The underclassman that caught my attention the most last month was Bu- chanan. The No. 24 defensive lineman and No. 247 player overall per Rivals, Buchanan is one of the best prospects on what is a small 2027 defensive line board early on. Buchanan, a teammate of Abrams, is listed at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds. However, he looks closer to 275 pounds and is a force in the trenches. A true three-technique, Buchanan showed plenty of athleticism as an interior pass rusher and also used his brute strength to power his way through double teams against the run. Michigan is in his top 10. 3. WR Travis Johnson Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith Michigan's wide receiver room is in need of help, and Johnson will be able to provide that soon. The No. 18 pass catcher and No. 150 prospect in the land, Johnson is a bigger bodied wide- out at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds. However, he runs routes like a small guy and wins with his finesse and athleticism. John- son racked up more than 170 yards and 3 touchdowns when I saw him live — two of those scores were short passes that he turned into long scores. Johnson's speed has been a question mark due to no ver- ified times, but he looks very explosive on the field. As an early enrollee at U-M, Johnson may compete for a starting job as a true freshman. 2. EDGE Carter Meadows Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga Going into the season, Meadows had five-star measurables but lacked five- star production. The latter has cer- tainly changed. Meadows matched last season's sack total in his senior season opener. He was a dominant force off the edge, constantly getting to the quar- terback and creating havoc. Meadows is now using his elite athleticism and length to his advantage and is also play- ing with more power. Ranked as the No. 1 EDGE and No. 3 overall recruit in the country, Meadows is making his case to be the No. 1 overall recruit nationally this cycle. This U-M commit is really putting it all together and is now playing like the five-star he is. 1. RB Savion Hiter, Mineral (Va.) Louisa County Meadows isn't the only Michigan commit who has an argument to be the No. 1 overall recruit nationally. Hiter is currently ranked No. 8 overall and as the top running back nationally by Rivals. Despite having no offseason training due to injury, Hiter has racked up more than 600 yards rushing through his first three games. He went wild when I saw him live the first time with 328 yards and 3 touchdowns. Hiter has an ❱ MICHIGAN RECRUITING NOTEBOOK Five Best Michigan Recruits From The Road Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga edge Carter Meadows, the No. 1 edge and No. 3 overall recruit in the country, is using his elite athleticism and length to his advantage this season while also playing with more power. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND