The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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34 THE WOLVERINE ❱ APRIL 2026 ❱ MICHIGAN FOOTBALL conference in tackles for loss twice in Black's three seasons with the program. As a player at Indiana (2009-13), Black spent his playing career in the Big Ten and appeared in 48 games with 127 tackles. He graduated from IU in 2012 with a degree in recreation and leisure and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals. Per Mlive.com, Black signed a two- year, $1.5-million deal with Michigan on Feb. 18 and will receive a base salary of $750,000 in 2025 and 2026, according to the agreement. He could also receive a signing bonus of up to $984,000, and his base salary tops what Esposito was set to make in 2026 ($650,000). As of March 9, Black's recruiting ef- forts were already garnering notice. Rivals300 defensive lineman Xavier Muhammad, for example, of South Houston (Texas) High, set a visit to Vanderbilt because of Black, and the nation's No. 96 recruit nationally (6- 3, 250) told us he would "absolutely" be interested in the Wolverines if Black started recruiting the No. 10 defensive lineman nationally to U-M. "He's very down to earth," Muham- mad said. "He treated me and my family like his family, and I feel like he gets me." Three-star 2027 edge James Harris Jr., another Texan out of Houston Cy Falls High, said, "He is a genuine guy!" adding another to those impressed by the coach. During Vanderbilt's ascension into an SEC contender with Black on staff, the program signed defensive linemen and edge rushers out of Texas, North Carolina, Illinois, Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, New Jersey and even Canada. The Commodores signed seven Rivals Industry Ranking four-star high school prospects during Black's four recruit- ing cycles with the program. None were defensive linemen, but he did secure a commitment from coveted Iowa trans- fer Brian Allen, the No. 112 portal pros- pect in the country this past cycle. Black recruited Detroit while coach- ing at Toledo and signed a couple of linemen from Cass Tech and another prospect from King High during that time in the MAC. He spent three sea- sons with the Rockets before making the jump to the SEC and left a solid im- pression. "He was visible and made himself available," Cass Tech head coach Mar- vin Rushing said. "He did a great job at Vandy." Current Rutgers edge rusher Mala- chi Davis, meanwhile, committed to Syracuse at one point during his prep recruiting process out of Holt (Mich.) High. Black, though, remained con- sistent and ended up flipping Davis to Toledo. The edge rusher has since transferred to the Scarlet Knights this offseason. "Relentless!" Davis told The Wolver- ine when asked about Black. "I talked to him every single day for about a year. He was the sole reason I flipped from Syracuse to Toledo." The expectation, of course, is that Black will continue his success on the recruiting trail and be in on even more high-profile recruits with the power of the block "M" behind him. ❑ 2025 U-M TEAM AWARDS Michigan football presented its 2025 season awards in conjunction with the U-M Club of Greater Detroit on Feb. 27. Below is a complete list of the team award winners: Bo Schembechler MVP: Derrick Moore Humphries-Miller Scholarship Award: Max Reyes Robert P. Ufer Bequest: Max Bredeson Roger Zatkoff Award: Jimmy Rolder Woodley-Graham Award: Rayshaun Benny Dierdorf-Hutchinson Award: Jake Guarnera Toughest Player Award: Max Bredeson Blue Collar Award: Max Bredeson Offensive Rookie of the Year: Bryce Underwood Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jayden Sanders Special Teams Rookie of the Year: Elijah Dotson Offensive Player of the Year: Jordan Marshall, Justice Haynes (co-recipients) Defensive Player of the Year: Derrick Moore Special Teams Player of the Year: Joe Taylor Offensive Skill Player of the Year: Andrew Marsh Defensive Skill Player of the Year: Jyaire Hill Specialist of the Year: Greg Tarr Most Improved Player (Offense): Zack Marshall Most Improved Player (Defense): Trey Pierce, Cole Sullivan (co-recipients) Most Improved Player (Special Teams): Deakon Tonielli Scout Team Player of the Year (Offense): Chase Herbstreit, Logan Forbes (co-recipients) Scout Team Player of the Year (Defense): Nico Andrighetto, Deyvid Palepale (co-recipients) Scout Team Player of the Year (Special Teams): Bryce Wilcox Larry Black Jr. joined the U-M staff after four seasons as defensive line coach at Vanderbilt. He was elevated to defensive run game coordinator last year, when the Commodores ranked 18th nationally in allowing just 108.2 yards per game on the ground. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS