BREAKING: 4-star SEC commit locks in official visit to Michigan Wolverines
With Michigan on bye this week, the coaching staff will most likely go the road to recruit some of their top prospects remaining on the board in the 2025 class, as well as some recruits in the 2026 class.
In today’s Recruiting Roundup, we’ll look at three defensive prospects for 2025 who the Wolverines want to sign as the early signing period approaches in December.
Four-star CB locks in OV to U-M
As first reported by On3’s EJ Holland, 2025 four-star cornerback Donovan Starr has set his official visit to Michigan for their game against Michigan State later this month.
The 6-foot, 176-pound recruit from Brentwood, Tennessee, has been committed to Auburn since June but is exploring other options, especially with Auburn’s loaded secondary class. The Tigers are also working to flip five-star cornerback Na’eem Offord, an Alabama native, from Ohio State, which would give them seven defensive back commits, including Starr, if Offord flips.
Last month, Starr took an official visit to Illinois for their game against Central Michigan. Recently, Alabama has also become a contender in his recruitment, and there is a possibility he could visit Alabama this weekend, which could significantly impact his decision.
Ultimately, it seems likely Starr will decommit from Auburn. Michigan, with just one boundary cornerback — four-star Jayden Sanders — committed in their 2025 class, could benefit from adding another player at the position. More updates are expected after Starr’s visit to Michigan in late October.
Michigan turning up the heat on local four-star
Four-star defensive back Alex Graham was once regarded as a top prospect in the 2025 class. However, after transferring from Cass Tech in Detroit to IMG Academy in Florida, his stock has slightly dropped due to injury issues.
Since committing to Colorado in April, the Michigan Wolverines have continued to aggressively pursue Graham, especially after his return to Cass Tech. During a recent visit for Michigan’s game against USC, he spoke with The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich about his relationship with Michigan’s defensive backs coach, LaMar Morgan.
“The main person I’ve been talking to is coach Morgan,” Graham said. “We talk a lot, and he got to meet my mom and little brothers for the first time that weekend. My mom thought he was a good guy, and they had a great time together. She really liked him.”
Now back in Michigan, Graham acknowledged that the Wolverines have intensified their recruiting efforts. He mentioned that the coaching staff’s primary message has been, “They want me home. When I do the photoshoot, they say the best players in Michigan stay in Michigan, and they stand by that. They really want me at Michigan.”
Ranked No. 309 overall by the 247Sports composite, Graham plans to make additional visits this fall but hasn’t revealed specific details yet.
Syracuse commit plans first trip to U-M
Since Nate Marshall decommitted a few months ago, the Wolverines have been actively pursuing several defensive line prospects to fill the gap. One key target is 2025 three-star Quante Gillians, who committed to Syracuse in June.
The 6-foot-3.5, 278-pound New York native has been in frequent communication with Michigan’s defensive line coach Lou Esposito and other staff members. Their efforts have led to Gillians scheduling his first visit to Ann Arbor for October 26th, when Michigan faces Michigan State.
“I’m visiting with my mom, aunt, and uncle,” Gillians told The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich. He added that he’s most excited to experience Michigan’s game-day atmosphere and see their defensive ends in action.
Michigan only offered Gillians last month, so his recruitment is still in the early stages. However, his upcoming visit suggests strong mutual interest. More updates will follow as his recruitment progresses.