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 legacy recruit commits to Notre Dame
If it wasn’t bad enough that the Michigan football team suffered one of the most embarrassing losses in recent memory against rival Michigan State on Saturday night, the Wolverines also
lost a legacy recruit to rival Notre Dame over the weekend.
2028 four-star edge rusher Asa Burch chose Notre Dame over Michigan, announcing his commitment to the Fighting Irish on Saturday. Losing a recruit to a rival is always tough, but this one is even worse, as Burch’s father, Alfie Burch, was a defensive back at Michigan in the ‘90s. It was a tough weekend for the Wolverines.
Burch previously held Crystal Ball predictions in favor of the Wolverines after having visited numerous times throughout the course of his recruitment. Michigan could really use all the help it can get as it pertains to talent acquisition, so the recruitment of a legacy player like Burch shouldn’t have ended the way it did.
Burch is the No. 92 player in the 2028 recruiting class, and he attends Warren G. Harding High School in Warren, Ohio.
Michigan commit confirms commitment despite Texas push
Michigan landed a commitment from 2027 four-star defensive lineman Xaxier Muhammad back in May, but a recent push from Texas seemed to put said commitment up in the air a little bit.
However, Muhammad recently confirmed his pledge to the Wolverines is solid and will sign with Michigan during the early signing period on Dec. 2.
This is great news, as there was a possibility that Muhammad would be taking another visit with the Texas Longhorns for their game next week. However, instead of that, he will be back in Ann Arbor when the Wolverines take on UCLA.
The Wolverines have a plethora of edge rushers in the class, but it’s been a struggle landing guys on the inside. With Muhammad being the only interior defensive line prospect in Michigan’s 2027 class, retaining his commitment is crucial.
Muhammad is the No. 112 player in his class and attends Shadow Creek High School in Houston, Texas.
Boise State commit has successful visit despite MSU loss
2027 three-star linebacker Ryce Palepoi was in Ann Arbor over the weekend to see Michigan host Michigan State. Palepoi committed to Boise State in June, but Michigan is now making a push and offered the Salt Lake City native over the weekend.
“This visit to Michigan really shook the whole game with my recruitment,” Palepoi told 247Sports’ Blair Angulo ($). “Meeting the staff and seeing everyone I knew from the Utah staff was so amazing and I have much love and respect for them. The highlight of the trip was meeting with all the coaches and getting to spend time with them. The in-person offer just means more — they showed me and my family such great hospitality and I am so grateful.”
The only positives from the game were on defense, and Palepoi had some good takeaways from that.
“Even with the game being a loss, the defense absolutely battled and they have straight dawgs all around,” he said. “Their linebacker play was off the charts, too. They have dawgs in that room and I really want to learn from older players like them. Michigan is right up there at the top of my list, but I want to take all my visits and use up the last amount of time to talk to my family and make sure I make the best decision for us.”
Despite the commitment to Boise State, it seems like Michigan has a solid chance at a flip here. Palepoi is the No. 1,505 player in his class and attends Corner Canyon High School.
