Meet Michigan football’s top 10 recruiting class for 2025…
His first national signing day ended with a recruiting class that ranks in the top-10 and is headlined by the No. 1 overall prospect in the country. The Wolverines carried a ton of momentum heading into Wednesday and didn’t slow down, adding two more prospects.
By landing four-star linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng and three-star defensive lineman Travis Moten, Michigan moved up to No. 7 overall – a significant improvement from its last two cycles when it finished outside the top 15.
Only two of its 23 commits remained unsigned: Center Valley (Pa.) Southern Lehigh four-star tight end Andrew Olesh and Kilgore (Texas) four-star cornerback Jayden Sanders. Sanders is expected to remain with the Wolverines, while Olesh, a top-100 recruit reportedly could push his decision until Friday as he also considers Oregon and Penn State.
Even if Olesh flips elsewhere, Michigan has five top-100 prospects in the fold after landing just one the previous two cycles combined. The Wolverines also remain a top contender for five-star edge Ty Haywood, an Alabama commit, although he isn’t expected to sign until the February window.
Overall, 11 of the 21 signees are defensive prospects. Michigan has inked recruits from 14 different states this cycle, including four each from Michigan and Florida. Three of the Florida recruits attended IMG Academy in Bradenton.
More surprises could be in store for the three-day early signing window, but for now, meet Michigan’s 2025 signees:
Belleville 5-star QB Bryce Underwood
Position rank: 1
Underwood is arguably Michigan’s biggest recruiting win in program history, especially given his position. The Wolverines received underwhelming production from their quarterbacks in 2024 and needed to add a difference-maker behind center. The 6-foot-4, 208-pound Underwood certainly fits the bill, bringing a unique blend of arm talent, size and athleticism to the position.
A more aggressive name, image, likeness approach helped Michigan flip the nation’s top prospect last month and keep him home. Underwood, the state record holder with 179 total touchdowns and 152 passing touchdowns, likely will compete for the starting job from day one.
“He’s an excellent player,” Moore said during Wednesday’s signing day news conference. “Obviously, he has a great skill set, elite skill set from the pocket, out of the pocket, deep ball, touch, intermediate, short. He’s talked to me about different things we want to do with him to expand his game, and we’ll do that. But exceptional leader and he loves the game. He loves to grind. He loves to get better.”
STORY: 5-star QB Bryce Underwood brings hard-work motto to Michigan amid bright spotlight
Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest 5-star OT Andrew Babalola
National rank: 14
Position rank: 3
The 6-foot-6, 300-pounder is relatively new to football and has only played two years on varsity but has an immensely high ceiling because of his frame and athleticism. He delayed his decision multiple times but ultimately chose the Wolverines in October over other finalists Auburn, Missouri, Oklahoma and Stanford. His commitment ended a two-month drought for Michigan and set the tone for the program’s current recruiting heater.
“He can be a first-round draft pick,” Moore said. “He’s got all the skills because he’s got the size. He’s probably 285 right now, which is good. You don’t want him too big. But he’s got great ankle flexibility, great hip flexibility.”
Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick 4-star DL Nate Marshall
National rank: 55
Position rank: 8
When Marshall flipped his commitment from Michigan to Auburn in August, it was considered a significant loss for the Wolverines. Michigan didn’t appear to still be a major player for the 6-foot-3, 240-pounder, but Moore and defensive line coach Lou Esposito remained in touch and were working behind the scenes to get him back in the class. They did so successfully on Tuesday in a pre-signing day surprise. He is expected to play edge for the Wolverines.
Fulshear (Texas) Katy Jordan 4-star WR Andrew Marsh
National rank: 70
Position rank: 10
Marsh could be an immediate upgrade to a Michigan receiver room lacking playmakers in 2024. The 6-foot, 175-pounder caught 65 passes for 1,172 yards in 12 games this season and had 11 of the team’s 20 receiving touchdowns.
“He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands,” Moore said. “I got to watch him live. He’s as good as there is in the country at the wide receiver position.”
Chester (Va.) Thomas Dale 4-star CB Shamari Earls
National rank: 86
Position rank: 12
Earls missed his entire senior season because of injury but has drawn comparisons to Will Johnson because of his size (6-2, 203 pounds), speed and physicality. Michigan flipped him from Georgia last month.
“He’s what you want in a corner,” Moore said.
Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga 4-star S Kainoa Winston
National rank: 110
Position rank: 10
Winston might not have the size of Earls but can fly on the field. The 5-foot-11, 194-pounder has been committed since June.
“A new-age defensive back prospect with the straight-line speed to help combat modern passing attacks,” 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins wrote in his scouting report. “Owns some of the more impressive track times in the 2025 cycle having collected various medals at respected meets around the country. Quick to locate the football and is not afraid to jump a route. Has proven to be a rather spirited tackler in run support and seems to frequently be seeking out contact. Agile and fluid enough in the lower half to man-up with wide receivers and tight ends, but hasn’t been asked to press a ton on Friday nights.”
IMG Academy 4-star LB Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng
National rank: 130
Position rank: 14
The 6-foot-1, 203-pounder made his decision Wednesday, choosing Michigan over other finalists Colorado, Ohio State, Notre Dame and USC on ESPN2.
“Fast, physical, violent,” Moore said. “Talk about a dude that’s determined. He’s everything you want in that position.”
Monroe (N.C.) 4-star ATH Jordan Young
National rank: 150
Position rank: 5
Michigan loves versatility in its secondary, and Young fits that mold. The 6-foot, 177-pounder could play safety or nickel and always seems to be around the football. He had 18 interceptions in his career, including six as a senior for 12-0 Monroe. Young committed to Clemson on Nov. 2 but flipped to Michigan on Sunday.
Belleville 4-star S Elijah Dotson
National rank: 190
Position rank: 13
Dotson flipped from Pitt to Michigan one day before Underwood committed to the Wolverines. He transferred from Detroit U-D Jesuit to Belleville for his senior season and rocketed up the national rankings, starring on both sides of the ball for the Tigers.
“I think that maybe Bryce took away some of that shine committing just a day or two after Elijah committed, but he’s not one to sleep on,” 247Sports recruiting analyst Allen Trieu told MLive. “I think he was one of the best players in the state really all through his career, but definitely showed it as a senior. I think you saw schools really turn up the heat on him this summer and into the fall once more schools were able to lay eyes on him and kind of see what he was all about.”
Marrero (La.) Archbishop Shaw 4-star WR Jacob Washington
National rank: 207
Position rank: 25
Washington might not have the eye-popping stats as most highly-ranked receivers, but he played in a run-first offense. Although he took a recent visit to Missouri, Michigan receivers coach Ron Bellamy, who played at Archbishop Shaw, helped keep him in the class. At 6-foot-3, Washington brings much-needed size on the outside.
Birmingham Groves 4-star IOL Avery Gach
National rank: 274
Position rank: 15
Gach was a four-year starter at tackle for Groves but projects to play along the interior in college. He was the second player to commit after Sherrone Moore took over as head coach. Gach also had notable offers from Ohio State and Georgia.
“Tenacious, physical player who goes to the whistle and finishes plays,” Trieu wrote in his scouting report. “Shows functional strength and pad level in addition to the pure willingness to want to move defenders off the ball, all making for a dominant run blocker. Still technically coming along in pass set and pass pro. Physicality shows up in his punch there also.”
Archbishop Shaw 4-star RB Jasper Parker
National rank: 299
Position rank: 21
Parker is a late-riser and is coming off a stellar senior season where he totaled 1,612 all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns. He is listed at 6-foot, 211 pounds and has an impressive offers list that includes Alabama, Oregon, Penn State and Tennessee.
