The Michigan Wolverines have a long history of developing running backs, with the two-headed monster of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards being a big part of Michigan winning the National Championship two seasons ago. Talented running backs across the country know Michigan is a place they can thrive, and two talented recruits have recently shown interest in the Wolverines, including a five-star committed to another Big Ten school.
Five-star PSU commit interested in Michigan
Michigan has been trying to flip 2027 five-star running back Kemon Spell
away from Penn State for most of the summer, and it sounds like he’ll be on the sideline in Ann Arbor at some point this fall.
Spell, who committed to Penn State on Aug. 2, is the No. 1 running back in his class and is also ranked ninth overall on the 247Sports composite. Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett ($) reported that Spell is set to visit Penn State on Sept. 27, and will also visit Florida State (Oct. 4), Notre Dame (Oct. 18) and Tennessee (Nov. 1) this fall. Spell also said he plans to visit Michigan, USC and Alabama, but didn’t specify which date he’ll be there.
When speaking with The Wolverine’s Ethan McDowell ($), Spell was honest about enjoying the courting that comes with being a top recruit.
“I’m still committed to Penn State, but I’m still going to enjoy it because I’m the No. 1 back in the country,” Spell said. “So I’m going to take visits as much as I can because I haven’t been to nowhere else besides Penn State. These upcoming visits are going to determine everything else moving forward.”
Spell watched Michigan football growing up and spoke highly of position coach Tony Alford.
“I love him,” Spell said of Alford. “He got in contact with me first, and we just started talking ever since, and I can’t wait to get up there.”
Spell also mentioned that he will be “taking OVs elsewhere” and that the commitment of Savion Hiter is “nothing crazy that’s on the top of my head that I’m going to worry about every day.”
Another RB speaks on interested in Michigan
Spell isn’t the only 2027 running back that’s is considering Michigan, as three-star Nigel Newkirk included Michigan in his top five recently.
Newkirk — ranked 376th out of all 2027 recruits and 30th among running backs on the composite — expanded on his interest in Michigan with Rivals’ Chad Simmons ($).
“Schools like Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, and USC reach out almost every day,” Newkirk said. “That means a lot. I feel the love from the coaches at those schools, and they also send me things in the mail. Those are my top five schools…I’ll be at Michigan for the Ohio State game and can’t wait to see it for the first time. They have a lot of history.”
Newkirk, who laid out his top five schools in that quote, will get to witness the greatest rivalry in sports in late November. Perhaps a fifth victory in a row for the Wolverines could help sway Newkirk closer to Ann Arbor.
Four-star LB wants to visit Michigan this fall
Roman Igwebuike, a 2027 four-star linebacker on the composite, is being pursued by some of the blue blood schools in the sport: Michigan, Ohio State, Texas, Florida and USC are among the schools vying for his talents. He recently told McDowell ($) he’s received more than three dozen offers since New Year’s Day.
“At first, it was a little overwhelming, but now I’m definitely starting to see the fun part of it,” Igwebuike said.
Igwebuike is among the dozens of recruits who wants to be at The Game.
“We’ll be probably getting out to the Ohio State game if I don’t have a game that day,” Igwebuike said. “But yeah, we’ll definitely be getting out to a game this year.”
The Chicago native also stressed the importance of being at a place where he can develop over multiple years, and being at a place where the most important woman in his life will feel he’s safe.
“I want my mom to feel comfortable with wherever I go— and also development,” Igwebuike said. “I want to play, for sure, at the next level. So wherever I go for three, four years, I plan on being there. I don’t plan on transferring out.”
Quick Hitter
- Michigan extended an offer this week to 2026 three-star linebacker Billy Weivoda, who has been committed to Iowa since late June.
