Several top recruits were in Ann Arbor last weekend as the Michigan Wolverines beat Wisconsin, including the nephew of a future NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver.
Michigan making push for nephew of Hall of Fame nominee
After visiting Cal earlier this fall, Arizona native Jaylen Fitzgerald made the trip across the country to visit Michigan this past weekend.
Fitzgerald, the nephew of legendary Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald, is a 2027 athlete who is not yet ranked on the 247Sports composite. Michigan extended an offer to Larry’s son, Devin, back
in March, but Jaylen did not come away from this visit with an offer.
“From the moment I arrived in Ann Arbor, the way everyone treated me stood out. They made me feel like I was at home,” he told 247Sports’ Brandon Huffman ($). “I got to talk with coach (Sherrone) Moore and coach (Steve) Casula. Both of them made it feel like Michigan was the place to be. They were really personable, and I’m excited to build a stronger relationship with them.”
Fitzgerald said Bryce Underwood and Donaven McCulley made him feel comfortable after the game, and he noticed how often tight ends are used in Michigan’s offense.
“I also loved how Michigan used their tight ends,” he said. “A lot of the guys in that room are built like a frame I could have in the future, so I could really see myself fitting in there.”
Based off that quote and meeting with Casula, it sounds like Michigan views Fitzgerald as a tight end. At 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds as a high school junior, it feels like a safe assumption to say he’ll at least be considered to play that position at the next level.
2027 QB commit speaks on game day visit
The highest-ranked Michigan commit in the 2027 class is four-star quarterback Peter Bourque, who committed in August. After visiting Michigan this past weekend, he told The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich ($) he feels even more comfortable with his decision.
“The visit was awesome,” Bourque said. “Sam Popper, Aidan Young, and the entire recruiting department made our trip great. I got the chance on Friday to spend time with coach Moore. I sat in on the quarterback meeting, and then we watched practice. Of course, we also got to hang out and talk ball with coach Lindsey throughout the weekend.”
As is often the case with commits, Bourque put on his recruiting hat and was going after some Michigan targets.
“It was great to meet Louis Esposito, another 2027 commit, and spend some time with huge 2027 Michigan targets like Dakota Guerrant, Anthony Cartwright and Mason Ogelsby,” he said. “Love to throw the ball to those guys in the Big House in the future. I really just wanted to get to know them. It was the first time we have crossed paths, but I have heard a bunch about them from coaches at a few schools. There were a ton of recruits and 2026 commits there as well so it made for an awesome environment. I loved watching Bryce sling it. He is a special talent.”
The 2027 passer is off to a great start in his junior season, throwing for 830 yards and 10 touchdowns in just three games.
Michigan is pursuing commits from MSU, Baylor
In his weekly Wiltfong Whiparound ($), Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong dropped some nuggets about two players in the 2026 class he feels Michigan is going to continue to pursue — four-star Michigan State linebacker commit Braylon Hodge and four-star Baylor cornerback commit Jamarion Vincent.
Hodge, who committed to MSU on June 1, visited Ann Arbor this past weekend and spoke highly of his time.
“Great staff, facilities and big-time football,” Hodge said of Michigan. “Feel like I could definitely be developed there for the next level for sure. They send a lot of players to the NFL.”
Additionally, Wiltfong reported the process is moving fast for Vincent, who got an offer from Michigan last month after a visit from defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan. He was also in town for the Wisconsin game.
“It’s was a great experience,” Vincent said. “What stood out for me is how the defense bounced back after the first drive…I got a lot different ways on being a better person on and off the field.”
Michigan has never been shy when it comes to going after players committed elsewhere, so hopefully the Wolverines can flip at least one of them.
