Recruiting Roundup: Updates On 2025 And 2026 Targets
With Sherrone Moore officially naming his defensive staff on March 6, the Wolverines are taking an understandably measured approach on the recruiting trail.
While it’s true UM will experience some degree of carryover with three returning assistant coaches and Moore running the show, much of the staff will be tasked with surveying the country for future Wolverines for the first time. That said, members of the Wolverines’ staff are already on the trail making headway into various parts of the country, such as defensive back LaMar Morgan, who offered 2025 Missouri City (Tx.) Hightower cornerback Kade Phillips last week.
Phillips, who has official visits set to Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor and LSU, is running track during the offseason, and he recently set a Hightower school record, leaping 24-7.5 at a recent meet. Phillips remarkable long jumping effort shows that Michigan is targeting dynamic, explosive athletes at the skill positions, and the four-star’s Hudl tape reinforces that claim.
Focusing on a prospect closer to Ann Arbor, there is an in-state lineman who could be in line for a Michigan offer soon. 2026 Davison (Mich.) offensive lineman Ben Nichols, who visited Michigan for the Ohio State game last season, just picked up an offer from Notre Dame on Sunday.
Checking in at 6-5 and 315 pounds, Nichols holds other offers from Florida State, Michigan State, Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan. Penn State also hosted Nichols on a recent visit.
During a recent discussion with Wolverine Digest, Nichols provided a rundown of his Michigan visit last November, an event he says impressed on multiple fronts.
“They had JJ McCarthy and Semaj Morgan’s parents come up and talk about why they chose Michigan and why they feel that it’s the best choice,” Nichols said. “It was really cool to hear them talk about their true feelings on how their boys are doing and why Michigan is the best.”
Michigan experienced tremendous success in creating a family-centric atmosphere under Jim Harbaugh, and Moore already seems on his way to building a similarly trusted environment.
Elsewhere in the recruiting world, 2025 Stilwell (Kan.) Blue Valley four-star linebacker Dawson Merritt dropped his top 10 list on March 13, and the Wolverines were featured among the group.
In a recent interview with Caleb Sisk, Dawson touched on why he felt each school was deserving of top 10 status, and Michigan once again drew praise for its National Championship victory.
“A winning program that just came off the National Championship is the most exciting,” Dawson told Sisk. “I just met the new defensive coaching staff a couple of days ago, so I’m excited to build that relationship and see where it goes!”
Right now, the Wolverines have three commitments in the 2025 class with only one on the defensive side of the ball.
What is the biggest priority for Michigan in the 2025 cycle? Let us know and follow @EricJRutter on Twitter for more Wolverine Digest updates.
