The Michigan Wolverines are all but done with the 2024 class at this point. If they want to try to flip unsigned prospects, there is always the customary signing day in February, but as of right now, it is expected that everything is practically set in stone.
The faculty may now concentrate mostly on the 2025 class. With three talents already committed—four-star quarterback Carter Smith, four-star cornerback Chris Ewald, and four-star defensive lineman Bobby Kanka—the Wolverines have already started to build some foundation. Although there is still more to be done, it’s a solid start.
Here are some of Michigan’s early top targets in the 2025 cycle.
Bryce Underwood – Five-star QB, Belleville (MI)
It’d be a disservice to not begin this list with one of the most highly regarded prospects from Michigan this century. Underwood is the top ranked player in the country and is a major priority for the Wolverines, even though they already have a committed quarterback. Michigan is in a heated recruiting battle with LSU for Underwood’s services. We will find out soon enough — Jan. 6, to be exact — where he will play in college.
Kaliq Lockett – Four-star WR, Sachse (TX)
Lockett, a fantastic wide receiver, had an incredible junior season in which he caught 59 passes for 1,299 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is now just outside the top-100 on the composite and was recently rated as a five-star on 247Sports’ personal rankings. Before Lockett’s recruiting got off, in May, Ron Bellamy made him an offer. Since then, he has received offers from Texas, LSU, Penn State, Ohio State, USC, and other prestigious universities. He went to Michigan for the Big House BBQ back in July, and quarterback Alex Orji was formerly his teammate at Ann Arbor. I would advise tempering expectations here, since this will undoubtedly be the hardest recruiting of all the prospects listed.
Eli Owens – Four-star TE, Alcoa (TN)
Michigan utilizes tight ends as much as any blue blood in America, and Owens has taken notice. He visited for the win over Ohio State and almost instantly received three Crystal Ball predictions in favor of the Wolverines. At 6-foot-1.5 and 243 pounds, Owens seems like a perfect fit at the FB/TE position made famous the last couple years by Max Bredeson.
Carter Lowe – Four-star OL, Toledo (OH)
A major Michigan/Ohio State recruiting battle is taking place for Lowe, the No. 119 overall player in the country. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 290 pounds, Lowe can play either tackle or guard at the next level. Sherrone Moore is prioritizing the Ohio native, and the Wolverines have hosted him on a number of visits already. Two Crystal Balls are in for the Buckeyes, but this recruitment is far from over.
Avery Gach – Four-star OL, Franklin (MI)
Gach, another elite prospect in the state of Michigan this cycle, is a priority target for the Wolverines on the offensive line. Ranked among the top 200 players overall, he is expected to play inside ball at the next level. The six universities he is “kind of” concentrating on are Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Penn State, Georgia, and USC, he just revealed to Allen Trieu($) of 247Sports. Although he had one Crystal Ball prediction for the Wolverines, he says he plans to take formal trips and commit this summer and isn’t in a rush to decide.
Andrew Babalola – Four-star OL, Overland Park (KS)
Another beast of an offensive tackle, Babalola stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 275 pounds. He has yet to visit Ann Arbor, as he just received his offer back in September, but he did tell 247Sports ($) he intends on visiting Michigan sometime after the season. A top-100 player ranked at No. 80 overall, Babalola holds other great offers from Oklahoma, Washington, Wisconsin, Ole Miss, Miami, Tennessee, Florida and more.
Jaylen Williams – Four-star DL, Palatine (IL)
Williams, who is ranked No. 227 overall and No. 26 among defensive linemen in his class, is one of the top defensive lineman in the Midwest. during receiving great accolades during his visit for the victory over Ohio State, three Crystal Ball predictions were made for the Wolverines. He is described as 6 feet 6 inches and 265 pounds. Florida State, Ohio State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Auburn, USC, Missouri, and other schools have sent offers to him.
Nathaniel Marshall – Four-star DL, Oak Park (IL)
One of the top defensive linemen in the country in 2025, Marshall is ranked No. 38 overall and No. 4 along the defensive line. He visited Michigan most recently for the win over Ohio State, describing it to The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich ($) as a “crazy experience and glad to be in the building for it.” He has other offers from Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon, Penn State, Notre Dame, Texas, Wisconsin and more.
Ethan Utley – Four-star DL, Nashville (TN)
Utley, a defensive line prospect with great potential, is ranked No. 107 overall, barely outside the top 100. Utley, who is 6-foot-4 and weighs 270 pounds, is flexible enough to play both inside and outside the court. He most recently attended Michigan’s victory over Ohio State, when he was accompanied by Mason Curtis, a 2024 four-star recruit and future Wolverine, who was his high school teammate. Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Penn State, Miami, Oklahoma, Florida, and more states have extended offers to him.
Xavier Newsome – Four-star edge, Detroit (MI)
As of right now, the Wolverines don’t have many obvious top target edges, but Newsome is one of the best. Newsome plays for Detroit’s Martin Luther King High School. He is 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 220 pounds. The last time he was in Ann Arbor, Michigan was in his top three after the team defeated Ohio State. Penn State, Kansas, Louisville, Pitt, Minnesota, Purdue, Rutgers, Tennessee, and other schools have extended offers to him.
DJ Pickett – Five-star S, Zephyrhills (FL)
Jay Harbaugh, Steve Clinkscale and company have made Pickett one of the top priorities on defense for the 2025 class. A top-10 overall prospect, Pickett has taken a few trips to Ann Arbor, most recently for Michigan’s win over Ohio State. His mother is a U-M grad and he also has family still in the area. Miami, Florida, Florida State and Oregon are just a handful of other programs fighting for his commitment.
Marcus Wimberly – Three-star S, Bauxite (AR)
Wimberly, a top target at safety, recently chose to leave his native Arkansas Razorbacks and was awarded a Crystal Ball for Michigan. Wimberly is ranked No. 508 overall in the class, but don’t be alarmed; Jay Harbaugh loves the speed and physicality he brings to the position. His rating will undoubtedly change in the future.
Alex Graham – Four-star DB, Detroit (MI)
Graham, a defensive back who is also highly regarded, is ranked at the top of Michigan’s board at No. 99 overall and No. 13 at cornerback. Graham, who is originally from Detroit, participated in this past season’s IMG Academy in Florida. Graham, a 6-foot-1 defensive back with Swiss Army Knife-like skills, can play safety or corner. The lone Crystal Ball prediction belongs to Michigan.
Mark Zackery IV – Four-star CB, Indianapolis (IN)
As you can see, Zackery IV could be the best target in the corner position among the several excellent targets in the secondary. At 5-foot-10.5 and 164 pounds, he isn’t very large, but he would be a great fit for the slot position. His last visit to Ann Arbor was during a midweek stay in the fall. Ohio State, Georgia, Tennessee Dame, Texas A&M, USC, Penn State, and other schools have extended offers to him.
Elijah Dotson – Three-star ATH, Detroit (MI)
Dotson, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 175 pounds, is a versatile athlete who can play wide receiver or defensive back at the collegiate level. In 2023, he recorded 43 catches while playing wide receiver. On defense, he recorded 66 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and three interceptions. Right now, Michigan has three Crystal Ball predictions. He visited for the victory over Ohio State, just like many of the prospects discussed in this article. Other offers that he has received include from Tennessee, Tennessee State, Pitt, Louisville, Michigan State, and Wisconsin.
