Michigan Football's 2024 recruiting campaign was very successful under new Head Coach Sherrone Moore! Moore was able to bring back Sean Magee from the Chicago Bears to be his General Manager of Recruiting. Then, Moore was able to secure a much larger recruiting staff with the hiring of Erin Dunstan Zernechel, John Collins, Jack Dunaway, Joshua Bailey, Josh Meyer, Reid Kuhl, Preston Sagan, Jacob Weber, Tony Jones, Coleman Walker, Zale Zhang, Jack Turner, Aidan Young, Richard Perry, Max Bassett, Jack Clark, Kayli Johnson, A.J. Pearson, etc. along with increasing analysts and graduate assistants who constantly review films of several hundred prospects to see if they are offer worthy. Albert Karchnia is now the Director of Player Personnel, and Sam Popper is the Director of Recruiting. The recruiting staff payroll has soared, and the NIL-Name-Image-Likeness monies have also increased significantly due to an unexpected revenue source with one of the wealthiest men in the world, Larry Ellison. The 80-year old philanthropist married, Jolin Zhu, a University of Michigan grad as his sixth wife in 2024; the relationship has increased the Wolverines NIL base to secure highly sought prospects like Bryce Underwood. As a result of these changes, Michigan is now one of the top recruiting staffs in America, and highly respected by high school coaches and prospects; Moore has elevated the recruiting operations to be at the same level as Notre Dame, Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, etc.

On Offense, Moore and his Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks coach, Kirk Campbell, offered at least 12 quarterbacks; they were set on Carter Smith as their top choice most of the year after his commitment on November 14, 2023, but they offered Bryce Underwood $10 millon in NIL money in late October. As a result, Smith decommitted on October 30, and pledged to Wisconsin on November 24. Underwood committed to Michigan on November 21. Also, as a result of these changes, Michigan also lost the commitment of 2026 Quarterback, Brady Hart on November 29; Hart reclassified for 2025, and pledged to Texas A&M. Other quarterbacks Michigan courted included: Ryan Montgomery (Georgia) and Husan Longstreet (Texas A&M, then USC). Sherrone Moore also surprised everone by offering Chase Herbstreit on December 8; he committed the same day. Moore then hired Chip Lindsey of North Carolina to replace Campbell on December 10 just a week after his dismissal on December 3. All in all, it was certainly quite a shocking turn of events, but a positive turn to improve the Michigan Offense and Quarterbacking for 2025. Moore is now seeking immediate help in the transfer portal with candidates including: Dequan Finn, Conner Harrell, Nate Johnson, Walker White (Baylor), Justyn Martin (Maryland), Brady Drogosh (Grand Valley), Air Noland, Ryan Browne (North Carolina), Cade McNamara, Brendon Lewis (Memphis State), Billy Edwards (Wisconsin), Miller Moss (Louisville), Michael Van Buren (LSU), Jackson Arnold (Auburn), Connor Weigman (Houston), and Marcos Davila (Nebraska).  Michigan Quarterbacks

At Running Back, Tony Alford and Jayden Everett offered at least 30+ prospects; he signed Jasper Parker and Donovan Johnson. He had the most interest in: Justin Baker (Tennessee), Jordon Davison (Oregon), Todd Robinson (Georgia), Bo Jackson (Ohio State), etc. In the transfer portal, Alford has shown interest in C.J. Campbell (Rutgers), Braylen Russell, Roman Hemby (Indiana), Malachi Hosley, Dante Dowdell (Kentucky), and Justice Haynes.  Michigan's Greatest Running Backs

At Wide Receiver and Tight End, Ron Bellamy, Steve Casula, Jack Clark, and Richard Perry offered over 70 guys; they signed Andrew Marsh, Jacob Washington, Eli Owens, Jamar Browder, and Donaven McCulley. Others they hoped to sign included: Andrew Olesh (Penn State), Derek Meadows (LSU, then Alabama), Dorian Brew (Oregon), Quincy Porter (Ohio State), Phillip Wright (LSU), Linkon Cure (Kansas State), James Flanigan (Notre Dame), Taz Williams (Baylor), Jamauri Brice (Georgia Tech), etc. Bellamy and Casula recruited several transfer portal candidates including: Max Klare, Nitro Tuggle, Nathan Leacock, Zachariah Branch, Cam Vaughn, Skyler Bell, Duce Robinson (Florida State), Eric Singleton (Auburn), Malachi Coleman, Reggie Virgil (Texas Tech), Joseph Williams (Utah), Colin Weber, Khamari Anderson, Jaleel Skinner, Magnus Geers, Eric Rivers (Georgia Tech), Zach Atkins (Colorado), Luke Hasz (Mississippi), Kendrick Law (Kentucky), Nick Elksnis (UNLV), J. Michael Sturdivant (Florida), Connor Cox (North Carolina), Jordan Dwyer, Dylan Wade, etc. Michigan Ends (Wide Receivers, Tight Ends and Wingbacks (Slots)

On the Offensive Line, Sherrone Moore, Grant Newsome, Nick Gilbert, and Nick Rossiello offered 50+ candidates; he signed a very solid class with Andrew Babalola, Kaden Strayhorn, and Avery Gach. Michigan signed Brady Norton from the transfer portal. They are hoping to sign Ty Haywood by February 5. Others Moore and Newsome coveted include: David Sanders (Tennessee), Michael Carroll (Alabama), Jack Lange (Missouri), Ziyare Addison, Zac Stascausky, Douglas Utu, and Alai Kalaniuvula (Oregon), Carter Lowe (Ohio State), Michael Roeske, Hardy Watts, and Nolan Davenport (Wisconsin), etc. Transfer portal candidates include: Luke Petibon, Shiyazh Pete, Fa'alili Fa'amoe, Josh Thompson, Braelin Moore (LSU), Derek Simmons (Oklahoma), Jordan White (Vanderbilt), Howard Sampson (Texas Tech), Carver Willis (Washington), Gunnar Hansen (Florida State), Delano Townsend (Mississippi), Derrick Graham, Jayvin James (Maryland), Xavier Chaplin (Auburn), Kahlee Tafai, Rahtrel Perry, Desmeal Leigh, Isaiah World (Oregon), Payton Kirkland, etc. Michigan Offensive Line

On Defense, Don "Wink" Martindale has contributed to the recruiting process; however, he is not considered to be an outstanding recruiter as he has been coaching in the NFL most of his coaching career. Still, recruits certainly will value his expertise as they try to become NFL prospects. Martindale had moved MIKE Linebacker, Jaishawn Barham, to EDGE Rusher; this leaves the door open for Jimmy Rolder to start at MIKE.

On the Defensive Line, Lou Esposito and LaTroy Lewis offered at least 70 prospects; he signed a very solid class with Nathaniel Marshall, Bobby Kanka, Benny Patterson, Travis Moten, and Julius Holly. They added Damon Payne from Alabama on December 18. Esposito is still hoping to sign Zahir Mathis in February. Others that Esposito flirted with include: Isaiah Gibson (Georgia), Javion Hilson (Missouri), Tobi Haastrup and Damien Shanklin (Oregon), Jared Smith (Auburn), Mariyon Dye (Tennessee), Marco Jones and D.J. Sanders (Texas A&M), Christopher Burgess (Notre Dame), Triston Abram (Indiana), Jakheem Stewart (USC), Maxwell Roy (Ohio State), Christian Ingram (South Carolina), Jaylen Williams (Wisconsin), etc. Transfer portal candidates include: David Gusta, Keeshawn Silver (USC), Bear Alexander (Oregon), Jamaal Jarrett (USC), Sydir Mitchell (LSU), Will Heldt (Clemson), Tyler Huenemann, Dashawn Womack (Mississippi), Williams Nwaneri (Nebraska), T.A. Cunningham, Samuel M'Pemba, Jay'Viar Suggs, Jared Dawson, etc. Michigan Defensive Linemen

At Linebacker, Brian Jean-Mary and Kevin Wilkins offered at least 45 players, and signed Nathan Owusu-Boateng and Chase Taylor. He hoped to gain the services of: Kamar Archie (Rutgers), Anthony Sacca (Notre Dame), Elijah Melendez (Auburn), Gavin Nix (Oregon), Bradley Gompers (Duke), etc. In the transfer portal, Jean-Mary signed Troy Bowls; he has also show interest in Khomri House, Taariq Al-Uqdah, Nikhai Hill-Green, Andrew Jones (South Carolina, then Mississippi), Kendal Daniels, and Dasan McCullough. Michigan Linebackers 

In the Defensive Backfield,  Lamar Morgan offered over 65 prospects; they signed Shamari Earls, Jayden Sanders, Kainoa Winston, Elijah Dotson, and Jordan Young. They also added T.J. and Tevis Metcalf from Arkansas in the transfer portal. Others they pressed hard for a commitment included: Ivan Taylor (Alabama), Brandon Finney (Oregon), Graceson Littleton (Texas), Donovan Starr (Auburn), Mark Zachery and JaDon Blair (Notre Dame), Alex Graham (USC), D.J. Pickett (LSU), Marcus Wimberly (Oklahoma), Chris Ewald (Miami, FL), etc. Morgan pursued transfer portal prospects including: Tacario Davis, Tony Grimes, Emmanuel Karnley, Dillon Thieneman (Oregon), Brice Pollack (Texas Tech), Tarrion Grant (Texas Tech), Jamel Johnson (TCU), etc. Michigan Defensive Backs

On Special Teams, Michigan, J.B. Brown, Garrett Clawson, and James Brown offered several placekickers, punters, snappers, etc. Special Teams lost Tommy Doman (Florida) to the transfer portal, but gained the return of the best placekicker in NCAA Football, Dominic Zvada. Brown offered: Scott Starczyk (Iowa, then Arkansas), Dominic DeFrietas, Coby Tripp, Gray Evans, etc. Adam Samaha and Stone Anderson entered the transfer portal on December 14 and 17. Brown and staff have followed several punters and long-snappers from the transfer portal including: Gabe Russo, Jack Kautz, Grayson Miller, Ryan Marks, Andrew McIlquham, Declan Duley, Bobby Engstler, Connor Weselman, Brenden Segovia, Eli Stein (Wisconsin), Jacob Ulrich, Ayden McCarter, etc. Michigan Placekickers/Punters/Specialists

Preferred Walk-On Offers-Michigan and all NCAA Division I Football squads have 85 full scholarships and 35 walk-ons for a roster of 120 players; there are continual offers for potential walk-on players, and donor monies earmarked for walk-ons has continued to be a valued commodity. The NCAA will change the roster cap to 105 beginning in the 2025-2026 season with somewhere between $20-30 million per team to handle the team scholarship issues; they are also planning to dictate rules for NIL monies.

In all, Michigan offered approximately 359+ scholarships in 33 states plus at least another 108+ offers in the December transfer portal. Michigan offered the most prospects with 57 in Florida, 43 in Georgia and Texas, 27 in California, 17 in Ohio and Maryland, 13 in Alabama and Tennessee, 12 in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, 11 in Virginia, 10 in Illinois, 9 in North Carolina, 8 in Louisiana, 7 in Michigan, 6 in Kansas, Indiana, and Missouri, 5 in Nevada and Kentucky, 4 in Connecticut, Mississippi, and Wisconsin, 3 in Arkansas and Utah, 2 in District of Columbia, Oklahoma, Arizona, South Carolina, and Washington, 1 each in Iowa, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island. Over 55% of our offers are in the Deep South.

Michigan has chosen to emphasize recruiting in the last decade in the Deep South which a dramatic shift from 30-40 years ago when it was the Midwest; they offered at least 100 prospects in Florida and Georgia plus 99 more prospects in the states of Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas, and South Carolina. The competition for those highly skilled prospects is intense; this season, Michigan gained 10 commitments from the South of the 199 offered: Andrew Marsh and Jayden Sanders (Texas), Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng and Jamar Browder (Florida), Julius Holly, Donovan Johnson, and Chase Taylor (Georgia), Jacob Washington (Louisiana), Travis Moten (Kentucky), and Eli Owens (Tennessee). 

In Michigan, the Wolverines gained the top 3 prospects with Bryce Underwood, Elijah Dotson, and Avery Gach. Michigan State scored well with Jace Clarizio, Derrick Simmons, and Charles White. Alex Graham left for USC, and Darrin Strey for Kentucky. 13 of Michigan's Top 40 prospects signed with MAC Schools; Toledo signed 7 of those 13.

In the Midwest and Big Ten states, Michigan gained zero propects from Ohio until Chase Herbstreit signed; Ohio State signed 8 of their top prospects from Ohio. Oregon, Georgia, Missouri, Miami-FL, and Kansas State signed 6 Ohio prospects. Indiana had their top prospects split from Tennessee, Stanford, LSU, and Miami-FL with one each; Notre Dame landed two Hoosiers. Despite their amazing season, Indiana only secured 4 of the Top 30 prospects in their state. In Illinois, Michigan landed Nate Marshall; Iowa secured the services of 4 of the Top 10 prospects there, and Notre Dame gained 3 of their Top 12. In Pennsylvania, Penn State signed 7 of the Top 16 prospects; Michigan was shut out there. The Wolverines were also shut out in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

Oregon was the #1 ranked recruiting class this season; other Big Ten Schools highly ranked included Ohio State, Michigan, USC, Penn State, Nebraska, Washington, Maryland, and Rutgers. The SEC Teams continue to dominate recruiting with Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, Texas A&M, Florida, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Missouri, South Carolina and Kentucky all ranked highly. In the ACC, Miami-Florida, Georgia Tech, and SMU were considered the best while in the Big 12, TCU, Kansas State, Colorado, and Baylor were the top teams. The 3 states that produce the most NFL players continue to be Florida, Texas, and California; that is where the biggest recruiting battles continue.

90 Years of College Football Recruiting: Where the Top Prospects come from