Michigan’s win over MSU left a lot of attendees feeling good, and that includes the recruits. We have some of the best reactions, and more, in today’s Recruiting Roundup:
The Michigan Wolverines did just enough to beat MSU on Saturday night at the Big House, and the performance left fans and visiting recruits alike feeling real good.
We dive into some of the best recruit reactions from the weekend in this edition of the Recruiting Roundup.
Five-star RB recaps trip to Ann Arbor
One of the highest profile prospects in attendance for the game this weekend was 2026 five-star running back Savion Hiter . The 5-foot-11, 182-pounder from Mineral, Virginia is the No. 20 overall player and No. 1 running back on the 247Sports composite. He has Michigan in his top-five list along with Ohio State, Georgia, Penn State and Tennessee.
Hiter spoke with On3’s Steve Wiltfong ($) following his time in Ann Arbor.
“It was electric at the Big House this weekend,” Hiter said. “A very exciting game! The biggest college game I’ve ever been to!
“Michigan has a lot of tradition and history of winning. And the running backs run similar plays to what I’m used to so I could definitely see myself in that offense. Each visit I take gets better each time. The whole staff makes it feel like home every time I’m there.”
Next up in his recruitment is a trip to Tennessee this weekend, and then a visit to Ohio State the following weekend. Hiter has no decision timeline as of now, but the Wolverines seem to be in a really good spot coming out of the visit.
Top CB flip candidate updates recruitment
Some major buzz came in last week when numerous recruiting experts cast predictions for 2025 four-star cornerback Shamari Earls to flip from Georgia to Michigan. Earls, who chose Georgia over Michigan back in July, was back in Ann Arbor for the first time since his pledge to Georgia.
He spoke with The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb ($) mid-trip to update his recruitment.
“So, Michigan has just always been in the back of me and my family’s mind,” Earls said. “(Plus) I’ve got a good relationship with coach (LaMar) Morgan, how good all the other staff is, (and) how everybody in here just treats you so well…there’s something here.”
Earls also mentioned how his relationship with head coach Sherrone Moore is unlike any other he’s had on the recruiting trail.
“I think coach Moore is a good coach,” Earls said. “A lot of people doubted him taking (over) as head coach, but I think he’s going to turn things around. I think he’s a really good recruiter and a really good guy. And I never had such a close relationship with a head coach, ever, in my opinion. So me and him talk and chat all the time. I call him whenever, and just talk it up.”
Even with the flip predictions in, he and his family are still discussing everything and don’t want to rush a decision. He may even take “one or two visits before this is all over,” hinting at coming back to Michigan for his official visit and then potentially back to Georgia one more time.
Earls is ranked No. 87 overall, No. 11 at the cornerback position and No. 2 from the state of Virginia in the 2025 class, per the composite.
More visitor reactions from U-M/MSU game
One of Michigan’s top remaining 2025 targets resides right here in the state of Michigan — four-star safety Elijah Dotson . He’s currently committed to Pitt, but recognizes the opportunity in front of him in his home state.
“Great atmosphere!” Dotson told On3’s Wiltfong ($). “Team balled out! They’ve been showing a lot of interest and obviously it’s a great program. I have a chance to play early and they’re one of the best academically and athletically.”
Another 2025 target committed elsewhere is three-star defensive lineman Benny Patterson . Despite being a Cincinnati commit, he and his family had to check out the Big House for the first time for this game, and it didn’t disappoint them.
“The visit has been amazing,” Patterson’s father told Wiltfong. “The culture has been very impressive. You can tell why players commit here. The Big House exceeded expectations. It was the loudest arena we’ve ever been in. The fans are passionate and love their team. The program is something special and it’s definitely high on the list.”
Moving onto the 2026 class, four-star offensive lineman Carter Scruggs is an early top target for Sherrone Moore and the Wolverines. This was his third time on campus this year, following trips in the spring and summer.
“The environment tonight at the Big House was like none other,” Scruggs told Wiltfong. “Very impressive that there were 110-plus thousand in attendance. What excites me about this opportunity is that I know I will be developed and will receive a great education. Michigan is definitely high on my list. What makes Michigan stand out to others on my list is their academics and development.”
Jacob Alexander , a three-star defensive lineman in 2026, also had really great things to say about his time in Ann Arbor.
“The atmosphere is unmatched to anyone in the country,” Alexander told 247Sports’ Allen Trieu ($). “110,000 people in the stadium loud cheering on the Wolverines is thrilling. The coaches and staff are great on the field from a football prospective, but also off the field, and that’s amazing. It was a great game to watch, got to see the defense get after it to keep Paul Bunyan where it belongs. After this weekend I can truly see myself wearing the maize and blue.”