This is a key time in the recruiting calendar for Michigan football: the spring game is a week away, and with many official visits set for June, the recruiting ramp up before what should be a busy summer for the Wolverines begins now.
With that in mind, we wanted to keep fans updated with the latest news on 2025 commits, along with where Michigan stands with some top targets.
Below is a list of players the Wolverines have been connected to, with helpful links containing more information on each recruit. Each recruit’s 247Sports profile is embedded into their name, and their ranking is based on the composite.
Quick note: These are not all of Michigan’s top targets. If a prospect you were hoping to read about is not on this list, they are still likely being recruited by Michigan.
2025 commits
Four-star Fort Myers, FL, QB Carter Smith - 149th overall
Smith committed to Michigan back in November. He was named Florida Gatorade Player of the Year last fall, and he told The Michigan Insider he plans to visit for the spring game. He will likely also officially visit the weekend of June 21, which seems to be the biggest official visit weekend of the year for the Wolverines.
Four-star Howell, MI, DL Bobby Kanka - 363rd overall
Kanka committed to Michigan back in August, and according to a recent report from The Wolverine’s Zach Libby ($), he just heard from Michigan — new defensive coach Lou Esposito and head coach Sherrone Moore — for the first time since the regime change. He also recently visited MSU, so hopefully his conversation with Michigan reassured him of his spot in the class.
Four-star Alcoa, TN, TE Eli Owens - 390th overall
Owens committed to Michigan right before the Wolverines won the National Championship. In a recent Q&A with The Wolverine’s EJ Holland, Owens said playing at Michigan would be a “seamless transition” with how he was utilized in high school.
Top targets
Five-star Overland Park KS, OT Andrew Babaloa - 29th overall
Babaloa visited Michigan last month. Additionally, Steve Wiltfong with On3 said ($) he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Michigan led for him after the visit.
Four-star Oak Park, IL, DL Nathanial Marshall - 33rd overall
Speaking to Wiltfong earlier this year, Marshall spoke highly of Michigan’s culture and said he was glad to be in the building for Michigan’s win over Ohio State. Michigan was in Marshall’s top-12, and 247Sports National Analyst Allen Trieu ($) recently said, “Michigan is very much in play,” with a visit expected in the near future.
Four-star Oradell, NJ, WR Quincy Porter - 52nd overall
Porter told Sam Webb with The Michigan Insider ($) that Michigan left a positive impression on his visit last week. It’s important to note there are no Crystal Ball predictions in yet, but the Wolverines appear to be one of the frontrunners, along with OSU.
Four-star Las Vegas, NV, OL Douglas Utu - 54th overall
Another top target along the offensive line, Utu visited Michigan for The Game in November, and also followed that up with an unofficial visit late last month. Other schools standing out to him right now include Tennessee, Ohio State, Oregon and Alabama.
Four-star Cleveland, OH, RB Bo Jackson - 70th overall
Jackson visited Michigan at the end of last month. He’s known Michigan running backs coach Tony Alford since he was a freshman, and a Crystal Ball prediction has him going to Ohio State. However, that was put in before Alford got hired at U-M, but the Buckeyes are still trending up here.
Four-star Indianapolis, IN, Edge Damien Shanklin - 107th overall
Shanklin recently spoke to Esposito, and he told 247Sports ($) he is, “Definitely going to get down and meet the new staff.” There is one Crystal Ball prediction for him to head to Notre Dame, but that is nearly six months old at this point.
Four-star Columbus, OH, CB Dawayne Galloway - 110th overall
Galloway listed Michigan in his top-12 and was in Ann Arbor for the win over Purdue last season. There is one Crystal Ball prediction for Michigan, so he’s certainly a name fans should familiarize themselves with if they haven’t already.
Four-star Winston Salem, NC, S JaDon Blair - 150th overall
Blair has an official visit at Michigan scheduled for June 14. He also has visits to Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Notre Dame and Penn State scheduled as well. He visited this spring and is one of Michigan’s top targets in the defensive backfield in this cycle.
Four-star Cleveland, OH, RB Marquise Davis - 169th overall
Davis said last month to The Michigan Insider ($) that Michigan’s hiring of Tony Alford sparked some excitement, considering how close Davis and Alford are. He has taken a couple visits this spring, and things appear to be trending way up for the Wolverines. He has official visits lined up, and interestingly enough, none of them are to Ohio State yet, which appeared to be Michigan’s biggest competition in this one.
Four-star Center Valley, PA, TE Andrew Olesh - 185th overall
On3 reported last week that Olesh plans to make an official visit to Michigan the weekend of June 21. He is one of a handful of targets for new tight ends coach Steve Casula in this class, offering him back in March.
Four-star Bradenton, FL, S Alex Graham - 210th overall
There is one Crystal Ball prediction in for Michigan for Graham, who is from Detroit but plays at IMG Academy in Florida. He listed Michigan in his top-seven last month.
Four-star Franklin, MI, OL Avery Gach - 227th overall
Gach was at Michigan with his family this past weekend and has been linked the Wolverines for a while now. Steve Lorenz with The Michigan Insider logged a Crystal Ball prediction in favor of Michigan. He is among Michigan’s top overall offensive line targets in this class.
Four-star Palatine, IL, DL Jaylen Williams - 237th overall
Three Crystal Ball predictions all have Williams going to Ann Arbor, but those were put in before the changes at defensive line coach. He recently connected with Esposito over the phone, and an in-person meeting could certainly go a long way.
Four-star Red Oak, TX, WR Taz Williams - 287th overall
Williams visited Michigan this past weekend, telling EJ Holland with The Wolverine ($) he loved talking to Moore and noticed how wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy held wide receivers accountable. Michigan is trending up in this recruitment.
Three-star Detroit, MI, S Elijah Dotson - 505th overall
There are three Crystal Ball predictions for Dotson to commit to Michigan. He was at the Big House early last season and had a connection with former Michigan defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale. However, it is currently unclear where he sits on the new defensive staff’s board.
Three-star Chesapeake, VA, CB Jahmari DeLoatch - 536th
Three Crystal Balls have been cast for DeLoatch to come to Michigan, including one from VTScoop contributor Kolby Crawford. Not much has been written about DeLoatch recently, but until the Crystal Balls change, fans should still keep tabs on him.
Three-star Stockbridge, GA, LB Chase Taylor - 548th
Taylor was offered by in the fall, but is being heavily recruited by the new defensive coaching staff. He has an official visit to Michigan locked in for the weekend of June 21. He also has official visits planned for South Carolina, Georgia Tech and USC.
