Maize n Brew has the latest from The Big House, where Michigan Football and head coach Kyle Whittingham brought in priority recruiting targets and commits for the game against the Oklahoma Sooners.
The Big Fish From Harper Woods
*** It was reported Friday that 2027 five-star wide receiver Dakota Guerrant, out of Harper Woods (Mich.) High, was going to be at The Big House. It’s his first time in Ann Arbor since committing to Oregon in June. Michigan was pushing extensively to keep him home at the time, and that hasn’t stopped despite
him choosing the Ducks. Guerrant has been to U-M countless times since his recruitment took off as a freshman. The connections are vast for him, too. His head coach and godfather, Rod Oden, played for the Wolverines in the ‘90s, and Rod’s son is Michigan defensive back Jacob Oden.
*** The big thing for Michigan if it is to overcome Oregon will be to showcase a high-powered offense this season. Opportunities for Guerrant to contribute early will be key, so the success of the wideout unit and their playmaking ability, will be crucial. Not just against Oklahoma but for the remaining 10 games as well.
*** Guerrant was with two Harper Woods teammates who yield Michigan offers in 2028 four-star wide receiver Deandre Bidden and 2028 three-star safety Jayden Evans. All three were seen chatting it up with the 2027 commits and members of the staff pregame. Wide receivers coach Micah Simon made it a point to welcome them at the 50-yard logo. If Guerrant was to go to any Michigan game this fall, the clash against Oklahoma was perfect, being that most, if not all, the commits this cycle are visiting, too. We’ve talked about before how the pledges are peer recruiting Guerrant to join them.
Florida and Alabama Commits Show Up
*** It’s not surprising to see a boatload of recruits surrounding the sidelines at The Big House today. As hosts of one of the week’s marquee matchups, Michigan worked tirelessly to also have prospects committed elsewhere to check out the atmosphere. The two in question previously chose respective SEC programs but are giving the Wolverines a close look and are prime offer candidates by the end of the weekend.
*** Native to Northeast Ohio, 2028 four-star offensive tackle Anthony Blalock Jr. committed to Alabama in July. His trip to Ann Arbor comes a week following his visit to Gainesville. Speaking of Florida, 2028 four-star wide receiver Armani Strong, who committed to the Gators at the beginning of the summer, soaked in the festivities today, too. We’ll find out more on how well they were treated later on in the weekend, but for each recruit’s first game at Michigan, they couldn’t have picked a better environment.
All The Priority In-State Guys
*** Guerrant, Bidden and Evans aren’t the only local prospects at the game today. This was a hot ticket, and those who reside in the Detroit area made the drive west down I-94. We’ll start with 2028 four-star edge Jayden Bell from Brother Rice. He’s a notable surprise guest, as he wasn’t on our expected visitor’s list. Originally, he was slated to be at Indiana, so it’s outstanding news that the Wolverines got him on campus instead. Bell is a clear top target for Michigan. He’s a Top 10 edge in the 2028 class and has spoken about his interest in the hometown school on a number of occasions. A solid outing from the pass rushers today will certainly boost U-M’s chances.
*** Powerhouse Cass Tech had two of its elite 2028 recruits on campus — four-star offensive tackle Antijuan Wilkes Jr. and four-star defensive back LaMarcus Army. A lot of buzz has been granted in favor of Michigan to land both players, but there’s still a ways to go. The right course of action is to keep chipping away and not let their interest wane elsewhere. Cass Tech has long kept a strong relationship with the Wolverines, and one its assistants, David Dawson, played for Michigan. On a side note, Army was decked out in Michigan gear from head to toe — he absolutely showed up in style.
*** Maize n Brew does not do predictions for recruits, but the choice to do so would be directed to 2028 athlete Marquis Ray. The son of Michigan legend Marcus Ray, the junior returned to The Big House to see his second consecutive game. He was offered by the Wolverines this summer after transferring to nearby Saline (Mich.) High, where he’s teammates with 2027 offensive line commit Louis Esposito. Ray has plans to visit Michigan State as well, but it’ll be very tough to beat the Wolverines.
*** A 2029 in-state name to know is Detroit (Mich.) Catholic Central running back JJ Chevalier. He was offered by the former Michigan staff and returned today with several of his teammates. The Wolverines also just issued an offer to 2029 four-star cornerback Kameron Lowe, who’s visiting today and is teammates with Bell.
2028 Offerees Galore
*** Ray was one-of-two legacy recruits to be at the game alongside 2028 four-star Warren (Ohio) Harding edge Asa Burch, the son of ‘90s star Alfie Burch. The No. 5 overall prospect from Ohio, per Rivals, he’s another junior leaning towards Michigan. Today is his third trip to Ann Arbor since last November. Staying on the defensive side of the ball, another notable Midwest target who arrived was 2028 four-star safety Drake Coellner. The Sooners are the perceived favorite to land him, but a Michigan win could turn the tide.
*** Two recruits ranked in the Top 10 among all New Jersey recruits in the 2028 class are visiting — four-star cornerback Nasir Richardson and three-star safety Mekhi McNair. Richardson is the No. 12 overall prospect and No. 1 cornerback in the country, and expectations are that McNair will also be a big commodity target in the secondary for the Wolverines.
