Michigan football recruits react to visits in Ann Arbor after Wolverines' victory

A slew of highly touted recruits spanning across various classes, including current Michigan football commits and a number of other targets, were in Ann Arbor on Saturday to see the 20th-ranked Wolverines take down the Wisconsin Badgers at the Big House.

Here are some of their reactions from their time spent at Michigan over the weekend.

Four-star class of 2026 LB Braylon Hodge (Michigan State commit)

After receiving an offer from the Wolverine linebacker coach Brian Jean-Mary last month, the Cherry Creek (Colorado) linebacker and current MSU commit wasted no time scheduling an official visit to Ann Arbor to get a further look at the Wolverines.

Rivals300 Michigan State LB commit Braylon Hodge (@BraylonHodge) started his Michigan OV today!

He's the No. 170 recruit in the country.

His Rivals profile: https://t.co/EB9ZqEzw7w pic.twitter.com/q9Lgh9Lt0S
— Ethan McDowell (@ethanmmcdowell) October 4, 2025

Hodge said his debut visit was a great experience.

"It was a good experience, the energy was next level the fans were super loud the whole game," Hodge told Michigan on SI. "You can really feel the history there, it was a really cool environment."

Four-star class of 2026 LB Nick Abrams (Current Georgia commit)

Abrams committed to Georgia back in July, but the Wolverines have been a mainstay in his recruitment as the McDonogh School (MD.) product has been high on Michigan for quite some time.

He decided to take a visit this past weekend to give Michigan another look, saying the Wolverines did a lot of things right over the weekend but that it would still take a lot to get him off his commitment with the Bulldogs.

"Everything went well, and I had a great visit," Abrams said. "Everyone was very welcoming. They made it seem like I was a major priority for them. I'm sitll 100% committed to Georgia. It would take a lot to change my mind. Michigan has been consistent, and they did a lot of great things during my official visit."

Rivals300 Georgia LB commit Nick Abrams is visiting Michigan today!

Repping the Block M for an afternoon. pic.twitter.com/Op9koWfmb7
— Ethan McDowell (@ethanmmcdowell) October 4, 2025

Four-star class of 2027 TE Anthony Cartwright

Several in-state targets were in attendance for the Wisconsin game, which included Cartwright, a 6-foot-5 tight end from Detroit Country Day (Detroit, Mich.). Cartwright has become a regular visitor to campus during his recruiting process and has established strong connections with the Michigan staff.

"The visit went great," said Cartwright. "Got to catch up and spend a lot of time with the players and coaches today (Saturday) after a great team win!"

Three-star class of 2026 RB Jonathan Brown (Current Michigan commit)

Both of the Wolverines' class of 2026 running back commits in five-star Savion Hiter, along with Brown, were on campus over the weekend. Brown, who committed to running backs coach Tony Alford and the Wolverines in June, said he enjoyed getting to hang out with other players who will be suiting up in the Maize and Blue uniform down the road.

"The vibe was really fun," Brown said. "The fans were fantastic, and it was great to hang out with my future teammates. The game was a classic Big Ten matchup, and I'm glad Michigan came out on top."

Michigan commits Jonathan Brown, Savion Hiter, and Andre Clarke. pic.twitter.com/cCJfSpsjTb
— Isaiah Hole (@isaiahhole) October 4, 2025

Three-star class of 2026 LB Markel Dabney (Current Michigan commit)

Dabney, who also committed to Michigan in June after flipping from SMU, said he also enjoyed spending time with other recruits.

"Man it was great," Dabney said. "Justice Haynes and Bryce underwood and that defense is worth the price of admission, just got to start fast. Chilling with some of the recruits was good. I always have a good time when I come up here."

Three-star class of 2026 commit Jaylen Pile (Current Michigan commit)

Pile has been a consistent visitor to Ann Arbor through his recruiting process, along with one of the Wolverines' biggest advocates and recruiters himself in efforts to build up the class. The receiver from Texas said he had another great visit for the Wisconsin game.

"It was great to be back home at the Big House," said Pile. "This was my second Maize Out and it ended with a big win. The fans were amazing. I got to meet some of the other 2026 commits that I hadn’t met yet and were ready to go!"