4-star LB ‘very interested’ in Michigan Football after being offered
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Recruiting is just starting to heat up this summer, as we are firmly in the middle of official visit season. With another couple recruits visiting this past weekend and even more set to visit over the next two weekends, Kyle Whittingham and company are more than ready to add even more players to the 2027 class.
Recently offered LB intrigued in Michigan
Linebacker has been a bit of a challenge over the past couple years on the recruiting trail for Michigan, but new position coach Alex Whittingham isn’t giving up in trying to acquire top notch talent. In fact, he and the Wolverines offered 2027 four-star Frederrick Ford late last week, and he was ecstatic to receive the news.
“They texted and then called me,” Ford told The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich ($). “I was excited. It’s always good when a powerhouse as successful program gives you an offer. This Michigan offer means a lot. I mean, the recognition from top programs makes me realize the potential in myself to play on a high level. The offer from Michigan is an honor.
“Very interested and excited about Michigan.”
The No. 250 overall prospect in the country, per Rivals’ Industry Rankings, has a loaded official visit schedule. He’s already taken trips to Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Florida State. Ford also plans to officially visit Tennessee this upcoming weekend and LSU next weekend. He
“Yes, I’m ready to visit very soon,” Ford said.
The Greenwood, Mississippi native is an intriguing linebacker recruit due to his size at 6-foot-5 and 190 pounds. Ford could very well be a versatile player like Jaishawn Barham, or he could also man the middle of the defense and be a heat-seeking missile. Regardless of where he exactly fits into Michigan’s defense, the Wolverines are clearly making an effort to lock in an official visit with him this month, so stay tuned for developments on that.
Safety target updates unique recruitment
2027 three-star safety Peyton Higginson has been a top target for Michigan ever since the new coaching staff got hired. The 6-foot-2, 175-pounder from Salem, Utah is in a unique spot since he is technically considered a recruit in the 2029 class due to his two-year mission trip upon graduation.
Because of that, the Wolverines — led by defensive coordinator Jay Hill and safeties coach Tyler Stockton — are taking a different approach to his recruitment. He was originally planning on officially visiting Ann Arbor this summer, but his next trip to Michigan appears to be on hold until the season kicks off.
“I am still working the situation out with coach Hill because I am a mission 2029 kid and they have a limited official visits available this year,” Higginson told TMI’s Marich ($). “I may just catch a game this season rather than taking an official visit. Coach Hill has been great and still been in communication and is still recruiting me, but with their current situation, it makes sense to bring in guys that will be potentially committing for next year. I plan on serving an LDS mission for two years which makes me a 2029 technically.
“The coaching staff there have been very good with working with me on serving a mission. A lot of of their staff are also LDS, so it has been nice to have that support. They fully understand the whole mission thing.”
Meanwhile, Higginson does have official visits set up for Utah State and BYU this month. He plans on making a commitment sometime after his officials, which means Michigan likely won’t host him again before he announces his decision. However, that doesn’t mean he won’t be picking the Wolverines.
“I got a pretty decent feel for Michigan when I visited this spring, so they will be a top school regardless of official visits or not,” Higginson said. “I will talk with coach Hill before I make my final decision and see where they are.”
While it’s still possible he commits to Michigan, this will certainly be a recruitment to watch over the next couple years. Former Michigan offensive lineman Andrew Gentry was a two-year mission trip kid, and he originally committed to Virginia prior to flipping to Michigan before enrolling. Regardless, even if he commits elsewhere this summer, this won’t be over until he gets to college in 2029.
Elite in-state OL feeling the love from Michigan
Antijuan Wilkes Jr. is among the top overall prospects in the 2028 class — No. 16 overall, to be exact — and he resides within the state of Michigan. Hailing from Cass Tech in Detroit, Wilkes has received a lot of attention this year, with schools like Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia and others offering him a scholarship.
While Michigan’s old staff offered him last year, new offensive line coach Jim Harding has prioritized him since arriving in Ann Arbor. Those efforts resulted in a pair of spring visits, helping solidify the Wolverines are one of the top contenders in his recruitment.
“I mess with Michigan, for sure,” Wilkes told On3’s Ethan McDowell ($). “I mess with the new o-line coach.
“He produces great talent. He’s just great at what he do, a great o-line coach. That’s what I like. I like a great line coach that’ll push me every day.”
Following the spring visits and all the attention that Harding has been giving him, Wilkes is feeling the love.
“They said I was the priority,” Wilkes said. “I’m No. 1 on their board, so of course they want me. They were showing it, too.”
Wilkes plans on taking another visit to Michigan this summer, along with Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Michigan State.
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