Welcome to the Recruiting Roundup, our twice-per-week series breaking down the latest developments on the recruiting trail for the Michigan Wolverines. We’ll keep you up to date on the top targets, the visits they take, the predictions that analysts make, and everything in between. Here’s what you need to know today…
Michigan looking to flip four-star Kentucky commit
With the end of the 2027 recruiting cycle nearing its end, most players are already committed to a school. That means most of the work at this point is geared towards flipping recruits.
One target the Wolverines are eyeing is four-star Kentucky safety commit Tristin Hughes, and he is forming a good relationship with Michigan safeties coach Tyler Stockton.
“The bond is steadily increasing, just getting better and better throughout the year,” Hughes told On3’s Ethan McDowell ($).
Hughes is very familiar with Michigan’s rich history, and he knows the program is good at sending defensive guys to the pros.
“They’ve produced many NFL-talent guys, and they’re right around the corner,” he said. “Growing up watching them, it’s a great history, a great program, so it’s kind of just me going out and being able to see it.”
While visiting earlier this month for the Penn State game, Hughes got a good look at just how good this Michigan defense is.
“One of the first things I saw was the stadium,” Hughes said. “I heard the stadium was big, and then I got in there, and it was huge. That was something that was nice. Just getting out there and being able to see their defensive backs go out there and play, create turnovers, get interceptions was another good thing to see.”
Michigan is doing a good job staying in the race for the Rocky River, Ohio native, but he is still solid with Kentucky, as he said his commitment to Kentucky is “strong” and that the Wildcats are “like my family there, like my second family.” Ohio State is also pushing hard to flip Hughes.
Three-star OT recaps visit, talks Michigan offer
2028 three-star offensive lineman Florians Naglins recently took a visit to Michigan, and it ended with success, as the Wolverines extended an offer to the 6-foot-7, 275-pounder from Northbrook, Illinois.
“It was really fun, really good,” Naglins told On3’s McDowell ($). “Had a wonderful time.”
Michigan offensive line coach Jim Harding is the coach who has been recruiting Naglins the most, and they are starting to form a tight bond.
“I really like him,” Naglins said. “He’s an amazing guy. He showed a lot of love, showed that he cared.”
Like most recruits who visit Ann Arbor, experiencing Michigan Stadium was a highlight during Naglins’ visit.
“I liked it a lot,” he said. “The coaches spent a lot of time with you. It was really fun… The Big House is amazing. What a wonderful stadium.”
Moving forward, Naglins said he “definitely” plans to return to Michigan for another visit at some point next year. Naglins is the No. 806 player in the 2028 recruiting class.
Michigan targeting three-star OT after NC State decommitment
2027 three-star offensive lineman Conner Rutherford had been committed to NC State since May before reopening his recruitment last week.
Now that his recruitment is open, Michigan has put itself in the mix. The Wolverines extended an offer on Thursday, and Rutherford is now set to take an official visit to Ann Arbor on Nov. 7 when Michigan hosts rival Michigan State, according to Rivals’ Allen Trieu ($).
Rutherford is the No. 730 player in the 2027 class, and he currently attends Chillicothe High School in Chillicothe, Ohio. So far, Michigan is the only new school that has offered Rutherford, but he did visit Indiana this past weekend as well, signaling some legit interest from Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers.
