The Wolverines appear to have knocked the visits out of the park this past weekend.
This past weekend was a big one for the Michigan Wolverines , as a handful of committed prospects and other recruits flocked to Ann Arbor for Victors Weekend, the biggest official visit weekend of the summer.
In today’s Recruiting Roundup, we will dive into a couple reactions from players who were on campus for the big recruiting event, as well as comments from a player who committed after taking a mid-week unofficial visit last week.
Four-star LB reacts to OV to U-M
One of the top defensive targets high on the board is 2025 four-star linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng . At 6-foot-0.5 and 205 pounds, he ranks as the No. 9 player at his position and No. 75 overall prospect on 247Sports’ composite. He plays high school football down at IMG Academy in Florida, where Michigan’s last two commitments play as well.
Owusu-Boateng was in Ann Arbor for his official visit this past weekend and provided some really good commentary following the trip. Here are a few quotes that stood out to me:
“I had a great time in Ann Arbor,” he told On3’s Steve Wiltfong ($). “The people there are great second to none really everybody on the staff cares about your development as a man and player.
“I would say this one shined out of my other three visits.”
“There’s a brotherhood at Michigan that really stood out to me,” Owusu-Boateng told The Michigan Insider’s Steve Lorenz ($). “We went in to watch their Saturday team-led practice and workout, and what really stood out was that basically everyone stayed to keep working and work on getting better after it was over. That’s something that really makes you interested in what they’ve built and what they continue to want to build there.”
Finally, Owusu-Boateng spoke to On3’s EJ Holland ($) and had this really strong quote:
“We talked about the opportunities at Michigan. (Sherrone Moore is) the first black coach at Michigan. You’re going to play for someone who looks like. He showed me the depth chart. Both Jaishawn Barham and Ernest Hausmann are draft eligible this year. The room could really be open. Coach Moore plays the best guys. It doesn’t matter how old you are. You just have to come in and compete. Semaj Morgan played as a freshman. J.J. McCarthy, another IMG guy, played as a freshman.”
No predictions are in yet, but it sounds like Owusu-Boateng is getting ready to finalize things. He told Lorenz he is going to narrow his list down to three “in the near future.” He also took visits to Notre Dame, Ohio State and USC this month, so expect Michigan and two of those schools to make his final three whenever that is released.
Four-star OL preparing for commitment following OV season
After three-star Kaden Strayhorn’s commitment on Sunday, the Wolverines were able to fully turn their attention to a few other targets along the offensive line. Hardy Watts — a 2025 four-star from Massachusetts — is among the top options for Grant Newsome.
Watts was on campus for his official visit this past weekend and spoke about Newsome and Sherrone Moore with 247Sports’ Brian Dohn ($).
“I love their coaching style as well as their personalities,” said Watts, who added what stood out about the trip. “The school itself as well as the people.
“They are hardworking, mean, and love to run the ball. I think I align with those three.”
Previously, Watts took official visits to Clemson and Wisconsin, the other two schools on his final three list with Michigan. Up next for him is a commitment, which he will announce next Monday, July 1.
I will be committing July 1st at noon at DexterSouthfield School. All who wish to attend are welcome.
— Hardy Watts (@HardyWatts2) June 24, 2024
Predictions are in from recruiting experts for the Wolverines to land Watts.
Four-star RB discusses commitment decision
Even though he didn’t officially visit over the weekend, the Wolverines were still able to reel in a commitment from 2025 four-star running back Donovan Johnson . The IMG academy running back broke down his decision with On3’s EJ Holland ($).
“It feels great,” Johnson said. “It’s the people, the atmosphere and the coaching staff. You can’t go wrong with Michigan as a running back. Coach (Tony) Alford is my favorite running back coach out of everybody. He’s been recruiting me for a long time. I met coach (Sherrone) Moore for the first time, and we kicked it off. I love what he’s done with the Michigan program. There were nothing but friendly faces on my visit there. I love everything about them.”
At the end of the day, Johnson is grateful to have his future home decided on.
“I’m excited,” Johnson said. “Some people think we’re in a rebuild phase, but I feel like coach Moore is going to get it done. As a 2025 class member, it’s an honor. It’s an honor to be coached by coach Moore and coach Tony.”
Johnson continues to bounce back from a torn ACL, which made him miss his entire junior season. The expectation is that he will be a full go this fall, hopefully resulting in a good senior year and a rise in the rankings.
Upon making his decision, Johnson joined three-star Jasper Parker as running back commits for the Wolverines.
Quick hitters
- Predictions are rolling in for Michigan to land 2025 four-star tight end Andrew Olesh . Olesh, who is a top-150 overall player, just officially visited this past weekend.
- Predictions are also coming in on multiple sites for Michigan to land 2025 four-star wide receiver Jacob Washington , who attends the same school as the aforementioned Parker in Louisiana.
- 2025 four-star defensive back Julien Horton, who recently made a visit to Michigan, decommitted from Maryland on Sunday, he announced on social media.
- Finally, 2025 four-star wide receiver Jerome Myles decommitted from Ole Miss on Monday, he announced on social media. He’s set to visit Ann Arbor next month for the BBQ at the Big House.