The annual spring event was a huge success for the Wolverines for recruiting.
The spring game over the weekend generated quite a bit of buzz for the Michigan Wolverines with plenty of recruits in attendance. One of them — 2025 four-star defensive lineman Nate Marshall — even announced his commitment yesterday morning.
In today’s edition of the Recruiting Roundup, we’ll discuss a couple of the reactions that recruits have provided over the last couple days.
Top-150 edge recaps first ever visit to U-M
One of the few defensive linemen on campus this past weekend was 2025 four-star edge Marco Jones . The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder from Danville, California braced the cold with the 30,000+ fans in attendance to get a glimpse at what’s to come for the Wolverines this fall.
Speaking with The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich ($), Jones explained what was so good about the trip — connecting with the coaching staff.
“I connected a lot with coach Esposito, coach Martindale and coach Popper,” Jones said. “I loved everything about (Esposito) and his message was he really liked my versatility and how I can play multiple positions on the field.”
This was his first visit to Ann Arbor, and by the sounds of it, it couldn’t have gone much better.
“I am very high on Michigan and I love it here,” Jones said.
Jones is ranked No. 15 at the edge position, No. 14 from California and No. 150 overall on 247Sports’ composite.
New RB target details time in Ann Arbor
He hasn’t been a Michigan target for long — just receiving his offer last month — but the Wolverines made quick progress to get 2025 three-star running back Jasper Parker on campus for his first ever visit.
Speaking to On3’s EJ Holland ($), Parker described his visit as “fantastic” and admired the history and tradition of Michigan football. He also dove into meeting running backs coach Tony Alford in person for the first time.
“Coach Alford was honest 100 percent of the time,” Parker said. “He’s a great coach. He has a great track record. He has a great history with every program he’s been in. He’s produced NFL-level talent. I can talk for days about him. Being able to connect with him about things he liked about my game, things I can improve on and things to take me to the next level was great. That’s a relationship that I feel we’re going to keep developing.”
Following the visit, Parker admitted Michigan made a “big leap” and now sits in his top-five. Next up will be scheduling an official visit for this summer and, should all go well, announce where he will be playing college football sometime in July.
At 6-foot and 200 pounds, Parker hails from the state of Louisiana. He is No. 439 overall on 247Sports’ composite, as well as the No. 37 running back and No. 17 player from his home state.
Quick portal update
The Wolverines offered former Kent State defensive tackle C.J. West last week. Now, according to 247Sports’ Allen Trieu ($), he is planning to visit Ann Arbor next Wednesday, May 1. He is also on a visit to Wisconsin as we speak, and also has a visit set up for Indiana on April 26.
“They’re really good at development,” West told Trieu of Michigan. “They have an elite defensive line coach in Coach Lou and with J.J. and the Chicago connection with all the kids from the Chicagoland area, that’s something I’ve noticed in their recruiting.”
Interior defensive line is a sneakily underrated position of need via the portal this offseason for Michigan. There isn’t a ton of depth behind Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. Rayshaun Benny is back, but is still rehabbing from an injury suffered in the Rose Bowl. Meanwhile, most of Michigan’s other defensive tackles are young and unproven up to this point — Enow Etta, Cameron Brandt and Trey Pierce all have an immense ceiling, but it would be reassuring to have one more veteran body in the room to help guide them along.
Other schools reportedly in the mix for West include LSU, Florida State and Rutgers.