Michigan football on National Signing Day: Rounding out recruiting class of 2025

Posted by author February 5, 2025 Football

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Michigan football marked National Signing Day by locking in another huge flip.

Ty Haywood, a four-star offensive tackle out of Ryan High School in Denison, Texas, has landed with the Wolverines after decommitting from Alabama in January.

However, that might be the only big news Michigan fans will hear on National Signing Day. So why isn’t there more buzz?

In years past, this was considered one of the premier days on the college football calendar. It was a potential turning point for programs who wait on pins and needles to find out if they’ve landed their desired target or if he will flip at the last minute.

That’s not the case anymore. The reason there’s much less drama at this time is because the early signing period has taken essentially all the hype out of the previously lauded event. The vast majority of top-tier targets have already ended their recruitment.

From Dec. 4-6 was considered the “early signing period” which allowed high school athletes to put their named on the dotted line and commit to their future program. If they had finished enough high school credits, they also are eligible to enroll early and join their future team on their postseason trip before they enroll in the university for classes in the winter semester.

Of course, not everybody has made up their mind by that time and use the national signing window from Feb. 5-April 1 to finish their decision making. It puts them a bit behind the eight ball not being on campus for spring practice, learning terminology and getting acquainted with the new staff and systems, but that doesn’t mean good players can’t come at this time, too.

Below is a list of those who committed to join the Wolverines on this National Signing Day, and below that all the players who signed with Michigan football in December. U-M’s now ranks No. 6 nationally, per composite rankings.

Signed Wednesday

School: Ryan High School (Denton, Texas).

Vitals: 6-5, 285.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 39 overall, No. 6 OT, No. 10 TX.

The buzz: A one-time commit to Alabama, Haywood decommitted from the Tide in January and since then the momentum had been all pointed toward Ann Arbor. Haywood signed with Michigan officially Wednesday morning. Haywood, who is a multi-sport athlete and is praised for his nimble feet that come with discus and shot put, is seen as one of the six best tackles in the nation. He’s raw, but the upside is there and with Michigan’s track record of development there’s reason that optimism is high for his future in the maize and blue. “Still developing consistent hand placement and technique, but if he gets his hands inside you, you are done,” writes 247Sports Director of Scouting Gabe Brooks. “Early senior season revealed some inconsistencies in leverage and footwork activity when engaged, but has put plenty of encouraging reps on tape during high school career.”

Signed in December

*Listed in order of prospect ranking

School: Belleville.

Vitals: 6 feet 3, 205 pounds.

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247 Sports’ composite ranking: Five stars, No. 1 overall, No. 1 QB, No. 1 MI.

The buzz: Simply put, Underwood is the biggest recruit in the history of Michigan football and the highest-rated quarterback recruit since the late Ryan Mallett committed as a five-star and the No. 7 player in the nation in 2007. Underwood starred 20 minutes up the road the past four years at Belleville where he won multiple state titles, was twice Max Preps Player of the Year for his grade and Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior with senior awards still pending. Underwood had been committed to LSU since January, then U-M rallied its name, image and likeness funding, pulled together an eight-figure deal and convinced him to stay home. Underwood is an elite NFL prospect with a big frame, a bigger arm and the type of out-jog-you-while-you’re-sprinting athleticism that reminds of Cam Newton or Terrell Pryor. The spotlight couldn’t be bigger, but also, the upside couldn’t be much higher. He will be the favorite to start when he steps on campus, unless U-M goes out and signs an elite quarterback in the transfer portal as well. Still, expectations are through the roof.

School: Blue Valley Northwest (Overland Park, Kansas).

Vitals: 6-6, 280.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Five stars, No. 14 overall, No. 3 OT, No. 1 KS.

The buzz: Somebody has to protect the future of the program in Underwood, and the five-star offensive tackle is a prime candidate to do so on the blind side. He has every measurable teams look for in a tackle including, length, strength and natural athleticism and given the Wolverines’ pedigree for putting offensive linemen in the NFL, the upside feels incredibly high for another freshman who could compete for playing time. “Immensely gifted offensive tackle prospect who’s relatively newer to football and possesses virtually limitless long-term potential,” writes 247Sports scouting analyst Gabe Brooks. “Showing noticeably more block-finishing conviction as a senior…May need a bit more time to develop at the P4 level than more ready-made tackle prospects, but owns a case for the highest-ceiling OT prospect in the 2025 recruiting cycle.”

School: Fenwick (Oak Park, Illinois).

Vitals: 6-4, 265.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 55 overall, No. 8 DL, No. 3 IL.

The buzz: He was the first big-time commit of the Sherrone Moore era when he pledged in April, however when he de-committed in August it was seen as a bit of a gut punch. When he verbally flipped back just 24 hours before signing day, defensive line coach Lou Esposito was likely doing backflips in celebration. Of course, he and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale certainly did the best sell job they could, as they orchestrated U-M’s defensive line to a dominant performance against OSU in Saturday’s 13-10 upset. Marshall becomes an immediate candidate to get on the field in a unit that is losing at least three starters, and perhaps as many as six rotational pieces.

School: Katy Jordan (Fulshear, Texas).

Vitals: 6-1, 180.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 70 overall, No. 10 WR, No. 15 TX.

The buzz: The Wolverines have sought a big time wide-receiver prospect for a while and Marsh fits the bill. While U-M targeted (and landed) other larger wideouts in the class, Marsh’s marks in the high jump (6-4) and his 400-meter time (50.24) as a freshman exemplify his athleticism that is among the best in the class at the position. He entered his senior year with more than 2,400 receiving yards, where he continued to show his ability to high-point passes and even returned a kickoff for a touchdown. When Marsh came to visit for the U-M vs. MSU game, he stopped at the Belleville vs. Howell game, showing he seemingly already has a relationship with Underwood.

School: Thomas Dale (Chester, Virginia).

Vitals: 6-2, 180.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 86 overall, No. 12 CB, No. VA.

The buzz: A one-time commit to Georgia, Earls flipped to U-M at the beginning of November and is part of one of the best defensive back classes in U-M history. A Virginia Class 6 indoor state champion in the long jump as a junior, Earls is an elite athlete who figures to be able to develop into a handsy cornerback with good ball skills. “Should be viewed as a potential multi-year starter at the Power Four level with legitimate NFL upside. Frame hasn’t been third-party verified, but appears to be over 6-foot,” Irvins wrote. “More notably, owns elite markers in both the 55-meter dash and the long jump. Likely will need a developmental year or two to adjust to the collegiate game and refine technique, but could be well worth the wait.”

School: Gonzaga College (Washington)

Vitals: 5-10, 185.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 110 overall, No. 10 S, No. 1 D.C.

The buzz: Winston isn’t as big as some of the other defensive backs in the class, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in speed and tenacity. He’s a decorated sprinter who holds the Gonzaga 200-meter record (21.58) and qualified for the New Balance National Indoor meet in the 60-meter (6.90) as a sophomore. An invitee to the Navy All-America Bowl, he’s also the cousin of Penn State defensive back, Kevin Winston Jr., a former four-star recruit in the class of 2022 who played in 12 games as a freshman before he became a starter the past two years (prior to injury this season).

School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida).

Vitals: 6-0, 205.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 130 overall, No. 14 LB, No. 20 FL.

The buzz: Owusu-Boateng was one of the top remaining uncommitted prospects in the nation, and is the top addition for linebacker coach Brian Jean-Mary. Owusu-Boateng is a Manassas, Virginia native and is of Ghanaian descent. He is the younger brother of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, a standout NFL linebacker who played at Notre Dame (2017-20) before being selected in the second round of 2021 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns.

School: Monroe (North Carolina).

Vitals: 6-0, 184.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 150 overall, No. 5 ATH, No. 6 N.C.

The buzz: A former Clemson commit who Michigan flipped over the weekend, there’s clearly a reason he’s listed as an athlete. Young averaged 14.5 points and 3.9 assists a sophomore on the basketball team and nine points and 3.0 assists as a junior according to Max Preps and was a state qualifier in both the long jump and triple jump as a 10th grader where he placed top-four in each. As for the football field, he does a bit of everything. According to his profile in his junior year he had 66 tackles (two for loss) 5 fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles, three pass break ups, an interception and a sack while playing defense. On offense, he caught 34 passes for 812 yards and 8 touchdowns and added a blocked punt and a blocked field goal on special teams for good measure as he was named Big 22 Player of the Year. He’s invited to the Navy All-American Bowl.

School: Belleville.

Vitals: 6-2, 180.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 190 overall, No. 13 S, No. 2 MI.

The buzz: The smoke around Underwood really started picking up when Dotson, his friend and high school teammate, flipped his commitment from Pittsburgh to Michigan a week prior. But Dotson is worthy of his own buzz, a long and athletic weapon who lined up at everything from safety and corner to receiver and return man — and even the occasional play as wildcat quarterback — during his time with the Tigers. Some have compared him to New York Giants DB Xavier McKinney and though there was thought for sometime he could be recruited as a wideout, he’s joining the Wolverines to play in the secondary.

School: Archbishop Shaw (Marrero, Louisiana).

Vitals: 6-3, 180.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 207 overall, No. 25 WR, No. 7 LA.

The buzz: Wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy did not want another year without a big target out wide, so he knew where to go to find one: his old stomping grounds. Bellamy nabbed Washington from his former high school, and the near top-200 wide out would normally be perhaps the best get in the class for U-M at the position. A transfer from New Orleans Jesuit, Washington is an outside receiver who could play the X or the Z.

School: Birmingham Groves.

Vitals: 6-5, 290.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 274 overall, No. 15 IOL, No. 3 MI.

The buzz: This is a guy who reminds folks of Karsen Barnhart. A swing-lineman who isn’t quite big enough to play on the outside full time but has the ability and versatility to lineup anywhere and give reliable snaps. Ironically, his comparison on 247Sports is Ben Bredeson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), a former U-M lineman and older brother of 2024 captain and H-back, Max Bredeson. “Shows functional strength and pad level in addition to the pure willingness to want to move defenders off the ball, all making for a dominant run blocker,” wrote 247Sports recruiting analyst Allen Trieu. High-floor type prospect who will give a high-major school depth at several positions and should be a dependable multi-year starter at the Power (Four) level.”

School: Archbishop Shaw (Marrero, Louisiana).

Vitals: 6-0, 189.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 299 overall, No. 21 RB, No. 11 LA.

The buzz: While U-M was down at Archbishop Shaw nabbing Washington, it figured it would get the two-for-one special in Parker. While that isn’t really how it happened, it sounds nice. The running back had a star senior season, finishing 1,501 all purpose yards −1,353 rushing and 148 receiving − to go with 22 total touchdowns as he was named District MVP. He’s a sleeper in this class and while 247 has him listed as a three-star, his composite has him top-300 overall and there’s a chance he could be a breakout candidate down the line.

DL Benny Patterson

School: Castle (Newburgh, Indiana).

Vitals: 6-4, 245.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 342 overall, No. 36 DL, No. 6 IN.

The buzz: A one-time Cincinnati Bearcat commit, Patterson is hoping to be one of the next pieces of what U-M hopes is a continued dominant defensive line. Patterson, who had more than a dozen high-major offers in almost every corner of the country (USC, Florida State and Penn State) had 57 tackles, which included a team-high 13 for loss and seven sacks in nine games when he flipped on Nov. 1. He added a 75-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown later that evening.

School: Alpharetta (Georgia).

Vitals: 6-3, 220.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 371 overall, No. 30 edge, No. 51 GA.

The buzz: Holly was a highly-regarded recruit, with Georgia, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Penn State and Tennessee all among his two dozen suitors. The defensive lineman who plays just 30 minutes north of Atlanta was named to the 2024 Preseason TCA All State Team, but suffered an injury (per his social media) that ended his season.

RB Donovan Johnson

School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida).

Vitals: 6-0, 205.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 396 overall, No. 27 RB, No. 56 FL.

The buzz: There’s a lot of upside in this former top-50 overall prospect, who averaged 8.1 yards per carry as a freshman and ran for 1,336 yards and 10 touchdowns on as a freshman at Savannah (Georgia) Calvary Day. He transferred to IMG Academy as a sophomore and missed his entire junior season because of a torn ACL, but remains a high upside prospect. Johnson is a member of 247Sports’ 2025 “freaks list” and a track star who qualified for the AAU Junior Olympics according to his profile. His father, Derrick Johnson, was a quarterback at The Citadel (1994-95).

School: Howell.

Vitals: 6-4, 285.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Three stars, No. 491 overall, No. 54 DL, No. 7 MI.

The buzz: The Howell standout was one of the first to pledge to U-M’s 2025 class, making his decision on Aug. 1, 2023. Though he comes from a background of tight end, defensive end and offensive line, Kanka has most recently been recruited by U-M defensive line coach Lou Esposito and figures to line up as an interior defensive lineman for the Maize and Blue.

“Plays with tenacity and has really good all around intangibles,” writes Trieu. “We see him as a solid, good all around athlete who plays tough and will help a college team win.”

MEET BOBBY:I’m Bobby Kanka. Here’s why I signed to Michigan’s 2025 recruiting class

School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida).

Vitals: 6-2½, 285.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Three stars, No. 491 overall, No. 33 IOL, No. 65 FL.

The buzz: One of more intriguing prospects in the class for the fact his father is Jason Strayhorn, a former Michigan State standout linebacker and current color commentator for MSU’s radio broadcast. Strayhorn, who is one of two commits from IMG Academy, began his career at Novi Detroit Catholic Central and was once a five-star recruit as a freshman, but since plateaued to his current standing. Still, he’s seen as a technically sound future interior lineman (though he played tackle in high school) who could be a future center in Ann Arbor.

School: Alcoa (Tennessee).

Vitals: 6-1, 245.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Three stars, No. 541 overall, No. 27 TE, No. 20 TN.

The buzz: Though he’s a three-star prospect, Owens had an offer list that shows his perceived upside. He had a top-nine that also included Tennessee, Alabama, Ohio State, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Wisconsin, Cincinnati and South Florida before Michigan pulled off the commitment.

School: Stockbridge (Georgia).

Vitals: 6-3, 201.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Three stars, No. 549 overall, No. 58 LB, No. 70 GA.

The buzz: Michigan appears to be targeting a linebacker in the transfer portal as there’s not a lot of reinforcements coming in at the position. That said, Taylor is an intriguing prospect as yet another high-upside athlete. Taylor has 62 tackles his senior year and 10 for loss on defense and has 17 receptions for 292 yards and seven touchdowns on offense. As a junior, Taylor had 73 tackles (six for loss), six sacks and three forced fumbles.

School: Santaluces Community (Lake Worth, Florida).

Vitals: 6-3½, 205.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Three stars, No. 820 overall, No. 120 WR, No. 107 FL.

The buzz: When Michigan said it wanted to target big-bodied wide receivers, this serves as Exhibit A. Browder was a former N.C. State commit before the Wolverines flipped him last month, who pitched to him the ability to make an immediate impact. The Wolverines didn’t have a single receiver even finish with 250 yards through the air in 2024.

“The wide receiver room was, in my opinion, incredibly weaker than NC State’s,” Browder told the Palm Beach Post of his decision. “I see myself as being an impact player at NC State but getting rotated. As for Michigan, I feel like I can be in the whole game, unless it’s a blowout and I’ve got to sit for the second half.”

School: Fern Creek Traditional (Louisville, Kentucky).

Vitals: 6-5, 250.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Three stars, No. 1,385 overall, No. 149 DL, No. 14 Ky.

The buzz: Molten committed to Michigan and signed his national letter of intent on early signing day. The three-star defensive lineman chose the Wolverines over Virginia and Texas Tech. He joins Marshall, Kanka and Patterson as Michigan’s defensive line recruits in 2025. As a senior, Molten recorded 95 tackles, 30 for loss, and 19½ sacks.

QB Chase Herbstreit

School: St. Xavier (Cincinnati, OH)

Vitals: 6-2, 185

247 Sports’ composite ranking: three stars, No. 2146 overall, No. 147 QB

The buzz: Truthfully, the signing of Chase Herbstreit would be a footnote if it weren’t for his last name. Herbstreit is the son of Kirk Herbstreit, a former Ohio State quarterback (1989-93) and one of the most well-known faces of college football broadcasting on ESPN. Chase’s older brother, Zak, just won a national championship with Ohio State in January while his two other brothers, Tye and Jake, both played their college ball at Clemson.

Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.