2024 Season Countdown: #105 Ted Hammond

 

Ted Hammond

Name: Ted Hammond
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 265 lbs.
High school: Cincinnati (OH) St. Xavier
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Hammond was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 38 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks.
TTB Rating: 65

Hammond is a good-sized defensive tackle prospect at somewhere around 6'5" and 265 pounds. He finished the recruiting cycle ranked as a 247 Composite 4-star, the #48 defensive lineman, and #431 overall. To me that ranking seems a little high because he doesn't show a ton of athleticism and didn't have much production. Unless you're playing nose tackle, an FBS recruit on the defensive line should be getting more than 2 tackles for loss and half a sack in his senior season.

Michigan has three defensive tackles returning this fall with significant playing time and production, but they're going to have to find depth from elsewhere. It's unclear who the #4 through #6 interior guys will be, but Michigan does have some older guys - Roderick Pierce, Brooks Bahr, Ike Iwunnah, etc. - who could step in and see the field. Hammond is still a little light to play inside, and he needs to work on some technique things and playing lower before he gets on the field. He's most likely a scout team guy for 2024.

Prediction: Redshirt

2024 Season Countdown: #106 Brandon Mann

 

Brandon Mann (image via Twitter)

Name: Brandon Mann
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 231 lbs.
High school: Detroit (MI) Country Day
Position: Tight end
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #46
Last year: I ranked Mann #122 and said he would be a backup quarterback (LINK). He did not play.
TTB Rating: N/A

If you look up "jack of all trades" in the dictionary, you'll see a picture of Leonardo da Vinci.

Or perhaps Shane Halter.

But by the end of his career, you might see a picture of Brandon Mann. A high school quarterback at Detroit Country Day, he entered Michigan's program, naturally, as a quarterback. He even attempted a pass against UConn as a true freshman, which is no small feat. (NOTE: Projected starting quarterback Alex Orji's lone career pass attempt came in the same game, but Mann's pass went for 7 yards while Orji's went for 5.)

Then came the 2023 season, and Mann switched to safety. And with such a position switch, it shouldn't have been surprising that Mann didn't see the field.

But now we're on to the 2024 calendar year, and Mann has made another switch, this time to tight end. He went from an average sized quarterback to a big safety to a small tight end now at 6'3" and 231 pounds. And once again, he's unlikely to see the field much this fall, if at all. It's another significant position switch.

And oh, by the way . . . did I mention he's also a right-handed pitcher for the baseball team? This spring he pitched 19 innings with 10 strikeouts and a 3.79 ERA while going 2-0.

Shane Halter's seat is getting warm, and by golly, if Mann moves to linebacker in 2025, Leonardo da Vinci better start looking over his shoulder.

Prediction: Backup tight end

2024 Season Countdown: #107 Jeremiah Lowe

 

Jeremiah Lowe (image via MGoBlog)

Name: Jeremiah Lowe
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 170 lbs.
High school: Lexington (VA) Frederick Douglass
Position: Cornerback
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Lowe was a senior in high school. He made 25 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble.
TTB Rating: 49

Lowe committed to Michigan in August 2023, and I was so busy at the time that I didn't have the bandwidth to create a commitment post. It didn't help that Lowe was a totally under-the-radar recruit, what with the Wolverines having to battle the likes of Boston College, Marshall, and Ohio University for him. He ended up ranked as a 3-star, the #107 cornerback, and #1172 overall in the 247 Composite.

Michigan actually has a pretty good hit rate on recruits ranked in that area; players lower than him in their respective classes include Nolan Ulizio, Brandent Englemon, Patrick Omameh, and Ronnie Bell, among others. So it's not a gimme that such lowly ranked players are going to flop. But there are also plenty of players in that range who disappeared into the mist, such as Greg Brown, Marques Walton, and Dytarious Johnson.

I probably would have ranked him Lowe . . . -er than #107 if Michigan had landed four transfer portal defensive backs earlier rather than just in the past two weeks, so that's the way the cookie crumbles. With a weak recruiting profile and at just 170 pounds, I would be very surprised to see him get on the field this fall. Long-term, he seems to have perhaps the upside of a Darnell Hood, someone who came to Michigan as a running back, switched to defensive back, and was mostly just a solid special teams player throughout his career.

Prediction: Redshirt

2024 Season Countdown: #108 Peter Simmons III

 

Peter Simmons

Name: Peter Simmons
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 283 lbs.
High school: Bonita Springs (FL) Bishop Verot
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #70
Last year: I ranked Simmons #128 and said he would be a backup defensive tackle (LINK). He did not play.
TTB Rating: N/A

Simmons has spent three years at Michigan as a walk-on and a backup offensive and defensive lineman. So far he has yet to see the field.

Maybe this is the year!

Maybe not, though. It's tough when you're 6'1" and 283 pounds to see the field at a place like Michigan, unless you're super quick like David Molk. But he does play a defensive tackle position that is a little light in numbers. Michigan was flirting with defensive end types like Enow Etta and walk-on Joey Klunder at defensive tackle this spring, and they were going after some transfer portal types as rotation guys. No one should be expecting Simmons to enter the rotation, but in case of a blowout, he could be a guy who gets some late game snaps just to give other guys a rest. And if he sticks around for 2025, he could be on the same team as another Bishop Verot product in 2025 quarterback commit Carter Smith.

Prediction: Backup defensive tackle

Visitors: May 31-June 2, 2024

 

Las Vegas (NV) Bishop Gorman WR Derek Meadows

2025

Marco Jones - DE - Danville (CA) San Ramon Valley: Jones is a 6'5", 230-pounder with offers from Alabama, Michigan, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, and USC, among others. He's a 4-star, the #15 edge, and #153 overall. In addition to this being his official visit to Michigan, he also has officials set to Texas and Texas A&M.

Nathaniel Marshall - DE - Oak Park (IL) Fenwick: Marshall is committed to Michigan (LINK). This is his official visit.

Derek Meadows - WR - Las Vegas (NV) Bishop Gorman: Meadows is a 6'5", 200 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Notre Dame, among others. He's a 4-star, the #9 wide receiver, and #61 overall. He has official visits to those other schools for the four subsequent weekends following this official visit to Michigan. His one crystal ball so far is for Notre Dame.

D.J. Sanders - DT - Bellville (TX) Bellville: Sanders is a 6'4", 290-pounder from Texas with offers from Texas and Texas A&M, plus others. He's a 4-star, the #11 defensive lineman, and #106 overall. He also has officials set for the Longhorns and the Aggies.

Douglas Utu - OG - Las Vegas (NV) Bishop Gorman: A 6'5", 300 lb. teammate of Meadows, Utu is a 4-star, the #2 interior offensive lineman, and #65 overall in the class of 2025. Listed in some places as a tackle - but more likely to be a guard - he has offers from Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, and Washington, among others. He also has an official visit set to visit the Huskies out in Seattle.

Kainoa Winston - S - Washington (DC) Gonzaga: Winston is a 5'10", 185-pounder with offers from Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon, and Penn State, plus others. He's a 4-star, the #10 safety, and #91 overall. This will be his second visit to Ann Arbor after taking a trip in the spring.

2024 Season Countdown: #109 Devon Baxter

 

Devon Baxter (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Devon Baxter
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 235 lbs.
High school: Clinton (MD) Gwynn Park
Position: Defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Baxter was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 55 tackles, 13 sacks, 9 pass breakups, and 3 fumble recoveries.
TTB Rating: 78

Baxter was a bit of an under-the-radar recruit until Michigan jumped into the ring. He took an official visit to Michigan in mid-June of 2023, and a few days later, he publicly committed to the Wolverines. He finished as a low-ish 4-star as the #26 edge player and #337 overall in the 247 Composite, but 247 itself is highest on him, ranking him all the way up at #182 overall in the class.

Personally, I like Baxter as an athlete to get into the program. I think he could be a standout receiving tight end, and he could also be an outstanding edge rusher. He has the length, burst, and change-of-direction skills to make an impact getting after the passer, perhaps more so than anyone in the pipeline right now. Very few people in Michigan's program have the length and quickness Baxter possesses. But he's also very light right now at 235 pounds, and his technique is lacking. He plays as a stand-up edge mostly, but sometimes he puts his hand in the dirt or even kicks inside sometimes, too. Michigan needs to get him in the weight room and see how quickly he can put on some much needed strength, because he could be a Taco Charlton-like player, and Michigan will need some natural pass rushers in the near future.

Prediction: Redshirt

2024 Season Countdown: #110 Hogan Hansen

 

Hogan Hansen (image via 247 Sports)

Name: Hogan Hansen
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 230 lbs.
High school: Bellevue (WA) Bellevue
Position: Tight end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #81
Last year: Hansen was a senior in high school (LINK). He caught 11 passes for 224 yards and 4 touchdowns, and ran 8 times for 121 yards and 2 touchdowns; he also made 44 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries.
TTB Rating: 78

Hansen made the great choice of picking a college program that also wears winged helmets, so he can keep the same look from his high school years. He also picked a team that loves to use tight ends. Even if Jim Harbaugh, the tight end whisperer, is gone to the NFL, I think it's a pretty safe assumption that Sherrone Moore will continue to use a heavy dose of tight ends in his offensive philosophy. Hansen comes from a Wing-T program where he isn't used to getting the ball a ton (19 offensive touches as a senior) and he has good technique as a blocker, so it will largely be a matter of adding size and strength in college.

Fortunately for his development, Hansen will probably not be asked to play right away. Michigan has returning star Colston Loveland at the position, and he'll be backed up by guys like Marlin Klein and Deakon Tonielli, not to mention fullback-ish tight ends Max Bredeson and Jalen Hoffman. Additionally, Michigan brought in an elite tight end prospect in Brady Prieskorn in the 2024 class. This should be a year of preparation and development for Hansen.

Prediction: Redshirt

2024 Season Countdown: #111 Alexander Lidback

 

Alexander Lidback (image via Twitter)

Name: Alexander Lidback
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 217 lbs.
High school: Alpharetta (GA) Alpharetta
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #46
Last year: I did not rank Lidback. He was not on the team.
TTB Rating: N/A

Lidback has been hanging around Michigan's program for several years, but last year wasn't one of them. Which is unfortunate for him, because he missed out on the national championship run. No, he was on the team in 2021 and 2022 as a walk-on linebacker before missing 2023, and now he's back to compete at a linebacker position that lost a lot of pieces. Michigan lost both starters in Michael Barrett and Junior Colson to the NFL draft, as well as some transferring backups like Jeremiah Beasley, Semaj Bridgeman, and Joey Velazquez.

Still, Lidback is unlikely to play much of a role in 2024. He did not see game action in 2021 or 2022, and he's probably knocking off some rust from missing 2023. With the depth the Wolverines have at linebacker - even behind new starters Ernest Hausmann and Maryland transfer Jaishawn Barham - it's going to be tough for any walk-on to find playing time, and the top walk-on is probably Christian Boivin. We might see Lidback make an appearance on special teams or perhaps in a blowout, but he's most likely a scout team player.

Prediction: Backup linebacker

2024 Season Countdown: #112 Mason Curtis

 

Mason Curtis

Name: Mason Curtis
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 200 lbs.
High school: Nashville (TN) Ensworth
Position: Edge
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Curtis was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 31 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 4 fumble recoveries, 4 pass breakups, and 2 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 73

Curtis has been a very quiet recruit for Michigan in the class of 2024. He committed to the Wolverines in June of 2022 and we never heard much of a peep from him through his junior and senior years. Part of the lack of excitement for him, in my opinion, is probably the uncertainty about what position he will play in the future. He played some safety in high school, but the original plan for him was to play linebacker, and then when he signed in December, Michigan labeled him as an edge. He's probably even versatile enough to grow into a tight end if things were to shake out in a certain way.

As for this year in particular, Curtis is unlikely to contribute. Especially if the coaching staff thinks he's an edge player, he needs to add . . . oh . . . about 40 pounds before he's an option. He could contribute as a special teams player if necessary, but I'm not sure there's a dire enough need for a 6'4", 200-pounder on special teams when Michigan already has such a strong overall roster. We're probably looking at a redshirt for Curtis this fall.

Prediction: Redshirt

Jaden Mangham, Wolverine

 

Jaden Mangham (image via Michigan State Athletics)

Former Michigan State safety Jaden Mangham announced his commitment to Michigan.

As a transfer portal player, Mangham is a 3-star, the #70 safety, and #718 overall. It's somewhat mind-boggling to me that an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten safety can be the 70th best player at his position and #718 overall, but I guess that tells you the ridiculous number of transfers that have taken place this off-season.

Anyway, Mangham was a 4-star, the #13 athlete, and #311 overall coming out of Franklin (MI) Groves in the class of 2022. He spent two years in East Lansing, making 12 starts and totaling 73 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 4 interceptions, 3 pass breakups, and 1 fumble recovery. Michigan had recruited him out of high school, but the interest was tepid in both directions; that was the same class where Michigan landed Zeke Berry, Keon Sabb, and Will Johnson, so even with some so-so guys mixed in - like Damani Dent, Kody Jones, and Myles Pollard - it was still an outstanding defensive back recruiting haul for the Wolverines.

Mangham is one of four transfer portal defensive backs to pick Michigan in this 2024 cycle, all within the last week; he joins Louisville safety Wesley Walker, Albany cornerback Aamir Hall, and UNLV cornerback Ricky Johnson. With Michigan having lost Sabb to Alabama and Rod Moore to injury, the need at safety was significant. Now there's some great competition to be had between Quinten Johnson, Walker, and Mangham for the safety spot not held by Makari Paige, and Berry might even factor in, though it seems like he'll be playing the nickel corner spot.

Mangham has two years of eligibility remaining and the plan is for him to finish his undergraduate education prior to fall camp, making him a grad transfer who won't have to worry about losing credits in the school switch. Once Paige moves on after 2024, Mangham could be a clear-cut starter going into 2025.

The last Michigan-to-Michigan State transfer was just a few years ago when linebacker Ben Van Sumeren became a Spartan, and a somewhat recent case saw Michigan State linebacker Edward Warinner join the Wolverines as a walk-on for one season in 2020 while his dad Ed Warinner was Michigan's offensive line coach. Warinner the Younger played special teams in just three games during the COVID season.

Ricky Johnson, Wolverine

 

Ricky Johnson (image via UNLV Athletics)

UNLV transfer Ricky Johnson has committed to Michigan after a midweek visit. He was previously committed to Washington State.

Johnson is a 6'1", 180 lb. player who is entering his fifth year of college football. Originally out of Houston (TX) Cypress Falls in the class of 2020, he played in four games that first year that didn't count against his eligibility. He also suffered an injury in 2022 that limited him to three games, meaning he would get an injury redshirt for that season. So he has only used up two years of eligibility and should have two remaining for the 2024 and 2025 seasons if he wishes to use both.

Johnson was ranked as a 3-star, the #151 safety, and #1951 overall in 2020 and has been a starter for UNLV since his second year on campus, but injuries have limited his time on the field. Altogether, he has played in 27 games, making 78 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, and 10 pass breakups. He did not play in the 2023 game against Michigan due to injury.

Johnson and fellow transfer portal commitment Aamir Hall give Michigan a couple good options to fight for playing time across from Will Johnson. Johnson has a ton of impressive plays on his highlight reel, but his PFF grades are mediocre; he grades out better as a run defender and tackler than in pass coverage. He appears to be more of a third or fourth corner, and I would not expect him to start this fall.

Here are some clips of his time at UNLV:

Here are some highlights from his high school days:

Wesley Walker, Wolverine

 

Wesley Walker (image via Emma Corona/Tennessee Athletics)

Former Georgia Tech, Tennessee, and Louisville safety Wesley Walker has committed to Michigan. He picked Michigan over LSU and USC.

Walker has started 25 games in his career, which started in 2019 at Georgia Tech, where he played for three seasons. He then transferred to Tennessee for the 2022-2023 seasons, hit the transfer portal in December, committed to Louisville, spent the spring at Louisville, and then re-entered the portal. Altogether, he has made 184 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 interception, and 12 pass breakups while playing in 45 career contests.

Walker was listed at 6'1" and 200 pounds at Tennessee last season. He started ten games for the Volunteers last year and finished #4 on the team with 53 tackles.

It will be interesting to see where Walker fits into the rotation at safety. Makari Paige returns and is guaranteed a starting spot, while Zeke Berry looks like the top nickel and Quinten Johnson returns, too. Those were the top three safeties prior to Walker's commitment, so can he unseat any of them? My guess is that Berry will stay at nickel, with Paige, Walker, and Johnson being a three-man rotation at safety, much like Paige, Rod Moore, and Keon Sabb did in 2023.

Overall, Michigan has now landed seven transfer portal players for the 2024 season, including offensive guard Josh Priebe (Northwestern), linebacker Jaishawn Barham (Maryland), kicker Dominic Zvada (Arkansas State), cornerback Aamir Hall (Albany), wide receiver C.J. Charleston (Youngstown State), and wide receiver Amorion Walker (Ole Miss), and now Wesley Walker. It seems like Michigan will still look to add at least one more defensive back, perhaps in the form of Michigan State's Jaden Mangham. Mangham has two years of eligibility remaining, whereas both Hall and Wesley Walker will be in their final year.

Wesley Walker's time at Tennessee coincided with current linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary, and Walker is also from Nashville (TN) Ensworth originally, which is the home of 2024 signee Mason Curtis.

Aamir Hall, Wolverine

 

Aamir Hall

Albany transfer cornerback Aamir Hall committed to Michigan this evening after taking a visit to Ann Arbor on Wednesday.

Hall is a 6'1", 201 lb. corner with one year of eligibility remaining. Originally a signee for FCS Richmond, he spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons playing for the Spiders. He then transferred to Albany in 2023, where he was an FCS All-American, totaling 63 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 15 total passes defended.

After watching some highlights of him playing at Albany this past fall, I think Hall may have a better shot at playing corner than I originally believed. I mentioned in an earlier article that he might be more of a nickel - which was based on going back to watch his high school highlights - but there has been some development since then. He's a good-sized, physical corner who's not afraid to come up and support the run, and he has some nice instincts and ball skills. He plays through the hands of receivers, and he makes some nice adjustments to go up and get the ball, get low to dig out short throws, etc.

Overall, Michigan has found themselves a good addition to the cornerback room to compete with Jyaire Hill for that second corner spot, or perhaps help at nickel with Zeke Berry or Ja'Den McBurrows. Hall doesn't have the greatest speed, but if he did . . . he probably wouldn't be available at this point, and he wouldn't be coming from Albany. Hill probably has higher upside in the long run because he's a better athlete, but Hall is probably a good approximation of Josh Wallace - someone who's capable in pass coverage and who won't be taken advantage of physically.

Albany somewhat famously produced defensive end Jared Verse, who turned out to be a standout player for Florida State before becoming a 1st round draft pick last month. However, Albany has only produced one NFL draft pick, and that was 6th round safety Rashad Barksdale back in 2007.

Michigan is still looking at trying to land more defensive backs from the portal, including Michigan State safety Jaden Mangham, Sacramento State safety Cameron Broussard, and Louisville safety Wesley Walker, among others.

2024 Season Countdown: #113 Stone Anderson

 

Stone Anderson

Name: Stone Anderson
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 190 lbs.
High school: Deerfield (MA) Deerfield Academy
Position: Kicker
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #92
Last year: I did not rank Anderson. He redshirted.
TTB Rating: N/A

At one time Michigan had a pretty great defense led by guys with awesome names - like Sam Sword and Glen Steele and Rob Swett. Even names like Ian Gold and Andrew Weathers lent a feeling that these were men. And they were doing manly things. Like winning a national championship and stuff.

And now were have more manly men doing manly things with manly names, such as Shomari Stone and Stone Anderson. Surely, it's not a coincidence that they are a part of the program that is coming off a national championship and will likely be contending for a playoff spot in 2024.

As for Stone Anderson himself . . . his chance to play probably dropped off significantly when Michigan landed Arkansas State transfer kicker Dominic Zvada. Otherwise, it seemed like a wide-open kicking job with redshirt freshman Adam Samaha looking like the primary competition for place kicking duties. But now with Zvada in the fold, along with potential kickoff specialist Hudson Hollenbeck, Anderson might once again have to watch from the sideline in 2024.

Prediction: Backup kicker

Visitors: May 17-19, 2024

 

Jaden Mangham (image via Michigan State)

TRANSFER PORTAL

Aamir Hall - CB - Albany: Hall is a product of Baltimore (MD) Mount Saint Joseph's who originally went to Richmond out of high school, where he played two seasons, making 88 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 16 pass breakups. After transferring to Albany in 2023, he notched 63 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 15 total pass breakups. At 6'1" and 201 pounds, he's probably more of a nickel than a true cornerback.

Jaden Mangham - S - Michigan State: Mangham was a 4-star, the #13 athlete, and #311 overall in the class of 2022. Trying to escape the dysfunction in East Lansing, he's visiting Michigan this weekend to potentially fill the hole(s) left by Rod Moore's injury and the departure of Keon Sabb to Alabama. Listed at 6'2" and 185 pounds, he has started twelve games during his two seasons wearing green and white. He has 73 tackles and 4 interceptions during his college career and was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten in 2022. Michigan did offer him coming out of Franklin (MI) Groves - also the home of recent Michigan commit Avery Gach for the class of 2025 - but both sides cooled a little bit throughout the recruiting process.

Wesley Walker - S - Louisville: Walker actually visited last week, but I did not include him in last week's visitor list. He started his college career at Georgia Tech, transferred to Tennessee, entered the transfer portal in December, committed to Ole Miss, flipped to Louisville, and spent spring ball with Louisville. Then he entered the portal again. Originally, he was a 3-star, the #58 cornerback, and #572 overall in the class of 2019. Overall, he started 25 games and made 184 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 interception, and 12 pass breakups throughout his career.

2024 Season Countdown: #114 Luke Hamilton

 

Luke Hamilton

Name: Luke Hamilton
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 290 lbs.
High school: Avon (OH) Avon
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Hamilton was a senior in high school (LINK).
TTB Rating: 49

Hamilton committed to Michigan back in November of 2022, right around when Michigan beat Ohio State for the second time in a row. His pledge came the day after the victory over the Buckeyes, which was probably a little extra special for him since his home state team did not offer, but the rivals Wolverines did. He finished the cycle ranked as a 3-star, the #26 interior offensive lineman, and #406 overall.

As a freshman offensive lineman, it's difficult to get on the field, anyway. And even though Michigan is replacing its top six linemen, there are a lot of guys in the stable. Additionally, Hamilton was not an early enrollee . . . and furthermore, I'm not convinced that Hamilton has the requisite athleticism to play for what has turned out to be a very solid offensive line-producing program. He plays somewhat high with a narrow base, and those guys tend to struggle. I expect him to redshirt a freshman and maybe we'll see in the 2025 spring game how much he has come along.

Prediction: Redshirt

2026 Recruiting Update: May 10, 2024

 

Thomas Davis, Jr. (image via 247 Sports)

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2026

Suwanee (GA) Peachtree Ridge cornerback Dorian Barney was offered by Michigan. He's a 6'1", 170-pounder with offers from Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Oregon, among others. He's a 4-star, the #5 cornerback, and #42 overall in the class.

Frisco (TX) Heritage wide receiver Tatum Bell, Jr. was offered by Michigan. He's a 6'0", 180 lb. prospect with offers from Houston, Minnesota, Oklahoma State, and TCU, among others. Ranked as a 3-star, the #56 wide receiver, and #378 overall, he's the son of former Oklahoma State and NFL running back Tatum Bell, a 2nd round pick back in 2004 who played for the Broncos and Lions. He was another in a long line of "Literally Any Shanahan Running Back Can Run for 1,000 Yards," a list that includes Terrell Davis, Olandis Gary, and Mike Anderson.

Panama City (FL) Bay tight end Javar Bowden was offered by Michigan. He's a 6'5", 185-pounder who may or may not eventually be a tight end; perhaps he'll just be a jumbo receiver in college. He's a 3-star, the #16 tight end, and #330 overall with offers from Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, and Mississippi State, among others.

Hit the jump for more.

Way Too Early 2024 Depth Chart: May 2024

 

Colston Loveland (image via MLive)

The following depth chart has removed these listed players from the depth chart:

• WR Cristian Dixon (transfer)
• WR Karmello English (transfer)
• C Amir Herring (transfer to Kansas)
• LB Jeremiah Beasley (transfer to Missouri)
• LB Semaj Bridgeman (transfer)
• LB Hayden Moore (transfer)
• CB D.J. Waller (transfer to Kentucky)

I have also added WR C.J. Charleston (transfer from Youngstown State), WR Amorion Walker (transfer from Ole Miss), and K Dominic Zvada (transfer from Arkansas State).

It also assumes that every currently rostered player and every currently committed prospect will be here in the fall of 2024, which is obviously not true.

Hit the jump for the depth chart.

2025 Recruiting Update: May 8, 2024

 

Avery Gach

COMMITMENT

Franklin (MI) Groves offensive tackle Avery Gach committed to Michigan (LINK).

Oak Park (IL) Fenwick defensive lineman Nate Marshall committed to Michigan (LINK).

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2025

Fishers (IN) Fishers wide receiver JonAnthony Hall was offered by Michigan. He's a 6'1", 170 lb. prospect with offers from Indiana, Northwestern, Purdue, and Stanford, among others. He's a 3-star, the #72 wide receiver, and #460 overall.

Valdosta (GA) Valdosta running back Todd Robinson was offered by Michigan. He stands 5'11" and weighs 195 pounds. The 3-star, #37 running back, and #448 overall player also has offers from Alabama, Georgia, Florida State, and Tennessee, among others. He runs a 10.93 in the 100 meters and he both ran and passed for 1,000+ yards as a junior in 2023.

Folsom (CA) Folsom defensive tackle Josiah Sharma was offered by Michigan. He's 6'5", 295 lbs. and has offers from Alabama, Miami, Texas, and Washington, among others. He's a 4-star, the #38 defensive lineman, and #360 overall. Coincidentally, Michigan also recently offered - and is hosting - Folsom product Cameron Broussard, a transfer portal safety target from Sacramento State.

OFF THE BOARD

Buford (GA) Buford tight end Hayden Bradley (3-star, #40 TE, #795 overall) committed to Ole Miss.

Hyattsville (MD) DeMatha running back Bud Coombs (3-star, #58 RB, #738 overall) committed to Maryland.

Cleveland (OH) Cleveland Heights running back Marquise Davis (4-star, #11 RB, #165 overall) committed to Kentucky. He had two crystal balls for Michigan, so this was a swing and a miss so far, though Michigan is expected to continue recruiting him.

Chester (VA) Thomas Dale cornerback Shamari Earls (4-star, #15 CB, #118 overall) committed to South Carolina.

Tampa (FL) Berkeley Prep safety Dallas Golden (4-star, #11 S, #94 overall) committed to Notre Dame.

Lee's Summit (MO) North wide receiver Isaiah Mozee (4-star, #27 WR, #234 overall) committed to Oregon.

Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei linebacker Nasir Wyatt (4-star, #8 edge, #70 overall) committed to Oregon.

Visitors: May 10-12, 2024

 

Cameron Broussard (image via Sacramento State)

TRANSFER PORTAL

Cameron Broussard - S - Sacramento State: Broussard is a 6'3", 200 lb. safety from Sacramento State, an FCS program in California. Originally out of Folsom (CA) Folsom, Broussard was a 247 Sports 3-star and the #137 athlete in the class of 2020. His first season was canceled due to COVID but he has played the past three seasons, so he has one year of eligibility remaining. As a starting free safety in 2023, he made 73 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 5 pass breakups while being named First Team All-Big Sky.

Jay'viar Suggs - DT - Grand Valley State: Suggs is a 6'3", 282-pounder from in-state GVSU. He attended Clarkston (MI) Clarkston and did not have any FBS offers coming out of high school in 2019. He made 21 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks this past season. He has named a top six of Arkansas, Florida State, Kentucky, Michigan, USC, and Wisconsin.

Avery Gach, Wolverine

 

Avery Gach

Franklin (MI) Groves offensive tackle Avery Gach committed to Michigan on Friday afternoon. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan State, and Ohio State, among others.

Gach is a 6'5", 290 lb. prospect.

RANKINGS
ESPN: 4-star, 80 grade, #34 OT, #296 overall
On3: 3-star, 89 grade, #32 IOL
Rivals: 4-star, 5.8 grade, #14 OT, #145 overall
247 Sports: 4-star, 90 grade, #13 IOL, #196 overall

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C.J. Charleston, Wolverine

 

C.J. Charleston (image via Tribune Chronicle)

Former Youngstown State University wide receiver C.J. Charleston has committed to Michigan out of the transfer portal.

Charleston was an unranked 2019 recruit who committed to the Penguins out of Gates Mills (OH) Gilmour Academy. He redshirted as a freshman and then played in five games during the COVID season, making 7 catches for 112 yards. Then in 2021 he made 16 catches for 147 yards before tearing his Achilles prior to the 2022 season, which caused him to miss the entire year. The 6'0", 190-pounder returned to play in 2023 and made 33 catches for 467 yards and 4 touchdowns while starting all thirteen games. He has two years of eligibility remaining, so he could be on Michigan's roster through 2025.

Here you can see him catching a 72-yard touchdown pass on a broken play against Illinois State last year:

Charleston does not have great speed or size, so he looks to be more of an intermediate possession guy. I'm not sure he offers much in the way of skills that Michigan does not already have. But he is another body to add to the room, and I would hope that his experience and time in a college strength and conditioning program will help him play a role as a leader and blocker.

Below are some highlights of the Charleston, who was a high school running back. As a senior in 2018, he ran for 198 yards, 2585 yards, and 49 touchdowns, albeit against some pretty weak competition. You can see his body type and running style lend themselves to the receiver position more, so that may explain why it took him some time to make an impact at YSU.