2025 four-star edge rusher Zahir Mathis added another Big Ten school to his list of contenders, and that program will get the final official visit before he makes a decision in February. We have that and more in today’s Recruiting Roundup:
The battle for a highly coveted edge rusher in the 2025 class is heating up, as the Michigan Wolverines now face further Big Ten competition.
Here’s the rundown on that player and more in today’s Recruiting Roundup.
Mathis adds Maryland to list
Philadelphia Imhotep four-star edge rusher Zahir Mathis, who was slated to make an official visit to UCLA last week, postponed that trip due to the ongoing wildfires. In addition, the top-rated unsigned prospect in the 2025 class locked in an official visit to another Big Ten program later this month.
“He is officially visiting Maryland on Jan. 31,” Imhotep associate coach Cyril Woodland told 247Sports’ Brian Dohn . “UCLA will have to be a mid-week visit now because we have Michigan next weekend.”
While the UCLA shake-up is affecting his schedule, we do know Mathis will visit Michigan from Jan. 24-26. He would be a huge get for this 2025 class and add to an already loaded group of defensive players for the Wolverines.
The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder is also coming off an official visit to Florida State. This recruitment just took an interesting turn, so we will have to wait and see how legitimate Maryland is in this one.
2026 edge sees Michigan as a fit
Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito hit the road last week and made his way to the Northeast. Esposito stopped at several schools in the region, including Malvern Prep (Pa.), which is home to 2026 four-star edge Jackson Samuels Ford .
“(Esposito) asked my parents to come by the school, and we were all able to talk together,” Ford told On3’s EJ Holland . “We were in the office for a minute. We talked about Michigan and what the player life and student life is like there. We also talked about getting up there for another visit.”
Esposito is making Ford and his family feel like a top priority.
“We’re big fans of coach Espo,” Ford said. “He’s down to earth. He’s a realistic guy. He doesn’t tell you anything he doesn’t believe wholeheartedly. He’s very honest. My parents really like him and the Michigan program. They are big fans of what they are building there.”
Ford was on campus for Michigan’s victory over USC last fall. It gave him an up-close look at the Wolverines’ defense, and he took particular interest in the front seven. With that, as well as the recent visit from Esposito, Michigan remains high on his list.
“Michigan is definitely up there,” Ford said. “I love Michigan. My parents love Michigan. It’s a top school for me, no doubt.”
Ford is looking to get back to Michigan for a visit this spring. He also plans to visit Indiana, Penn State, Rutgers and Wisconsin.
Quick Hitters
- 2026 four-star cornerback Chauncey Kennon is down to 10 schools — Michigan Georgia, Miami, Colorado, Florida State, Missouri, Florida, Penn State, Texas A&M and Ole Miss.
- Michigan recently offered 2026 three-star linebacker Wassie Lugolobi , who is currently committed to Washington.