Welcome to the Recruiting Roundup, our twice-a-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…
Recruits react to Michigan’s win over UTEP
Michigan improved to 3-0 with a 52-17 win against the UTEP Miners. The Wolverines got off to a sluggish start and trailed 14-7 in the second quarter, but they got it together and earned
a convincing victory.
Like in previous weeks, recruits in attendance were impressed by what they saw. 2028 four-star linebacker Sklyar Alston (No. 177 player in class out of Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, NC) was among the recruits in attendance.
“It was fantastic!” he told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong ($). “Coming in I had high expectations but the facilities, visit and just the amazing people definitely exceeded those expectations! I loved how involved coach Whittingham is with all of his players before the game, during the game and after! coach Alex (Whittingham) is really an amazing guy and a really smart and personal ball coach! He played college football, coached in the league! He really has it all! They rotated five backers the whole game and ended up playing eight total and that really stood out to me! Also just the fanbase was crazy! Most of the fans knew me by name that was definitely a cool and awesome experience! It truly shows how bought in the fans are and the whole community! They are definitely really high on my list! Shoot after the visit I was thinking about scheduling another game day!”
Also on campus for the UTEP game were a pair of important in-state wide receivers. AJ Henley (2028 three-star, from Harper Woods) and Mylan Griggs (2028 four-star from Cass Tech in Detroit) were both in attendance.
“Michigan was electric,” Henley said. “One of my favorite places. They staff showed me and my family an overwhelming amount of love. My Dad is a huge Michigan fan since birth so it’s kind like home almost. The Big House crowd is of course amazing and the whole stadium is when it comes to stadiums. I’m thankful for the opportunity. Michigan is a national brand and recruits excellent so to be recruited by them is a dream come true and a honor as well.”
Griggs was impressed as well.
“It was very good,” he said. “What stood out to me was how the Michigan staff made me feel like a priority, always making sure I was good at the game talk to coach Whit and Wimon before game. What stands out about me playing for them it’s close to my family.”
Four-star QB breaks down Michigan interest after offer
Michigan recently extended an offer to 2028 four-star quarterback Hunter Fujikawa. The Hawaii native and No. 225 overall player in the class has already been recruited by a good amount of top programs in the country, with Big Ten foes Oregon and UCLA being in the mix.
“This offer is definitely a big one,” Fujikawa told 247Sports’ Blair Angulo ($). “I haven’t ever been up there, so I’m trying to figure out a game I can get to.”
Fujikawa has been in contact with Michigan quarterbacks coach Koy Detmer Jr., and it sounds like the Wolverines are making him a priority.
“What stands out to me is Michigan’s winning tradition and competing for championships every year in the Big Ten,” Fujikawa said. “I talked to coach Koy Detmer and his message to me was that I’m at the top of their board. He also said my development over the years has been impressive and that I have a lot of raw talent and a really high ceiling. He wants to continue building the relationship and get me out there for a visit. I’m working on getting something figured out.”
Fujikawa is considering a visit to Michigan on Oct. 17 for the Penn State game, but there are a few other top programs looking to get him on campus that week as well.
No. 1 RB sets game day visit
Michigan is going to have a very important visitor in the house on Nov. 7 when Michigan State is in town. Four-star Kevin Hartsfield, the No. 1 running back in the 2028 class, will be on campus for the in-state rivalry game. He is looking forward to finding out more about the program and what things are like on game day.
“There’s definitely more than what I’ve seen, so I want to get to know more about it but, yeah, I definitely can see myself there,” Hartsfield told On3’s Ethan McDowell ($).
Hartsfield lives in Georgia now, but his family is actually from Ohio. Obviously, most people down there aren’t big fans of Michigan, but there is one person who is liking the Wolverines, and that’s helping their case with Hartsfield.
“I ain’t gonna lie,” Hartsfield said. “At first, coming from a family that’s from Youngstown, Ohio, that’s a school that nobody really likes…My dad actually likes Michigan due to the relationship with the coach. For my dad to like them, it makes me like them, so they’re definitely up there.”
