Elite RB recruit has ‘a lot’ of interest in Michigan Football

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The Michigan Wolverines are going to have a very different coaching staff next fall, but one of the few returning members who continues to be arguably the most important weapon on the recruiting trail is running backs coach Tony Alford. He’s made plenty of big splashes so far at Michigan, and he has the chance to pull off another win on the recruiting trail in the 2027 class.

Top 100 RB includes Michigan in top 10

Alford and Michigan are gunning hard for 2027 four-star Tyson Robinson. He recently released his list of top-10 schools, and the Wolverines made the cut.

“Michigan is a school I’m interested in a lot because of coach (Tony) Alford,” Robinson told On3’s EJ Holland ($). “I know they like to run the ball. I’m looking for a school that’s going to run the ball a lot and put in me in a system to do that.”

Alford is known for being a terrific recruiter, and he is clearly making a difference with Robinson.

“Coach Alford is a great coach,” Robinson said. “He came off the right way the first time he talked to me and my parents. My parents are hard to please, so that was impressive. We’ve been building a bond. I know he coached Ezekiel Elliott. He did a great job with Justice Haynes, and I have a similar frame.”  

In terms of football, it sounds like Robinson knows he would fit into Michigan’s offense well.

“From what I’ve seen, he likes to run the ball and put a tight end out there,” Robinson said. “That’s what I like. That’s what I’m looking for in a scheme. I just want to talk to him and learn more about him.”

He is hoping to make his first visit to Ann Arbor in the near future. In the meantime, the other schools that make up his top list include Alabama, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Arizona State, Vanderbilt, Miami, Tennessee, Texas and Texas A&M. The 5-foot-9.5, 200-pounder hails from the state of Mississippi and is a top-100 overall prospect in the class.

Four-star OL is top target for Michigan in 2027 class

The Wolverines’ new coaching staff is starting to laser in on who their top 2027 targets are, and one player to watch is four-star offensive lineman Jackson Roper. New offensive line coach Jim Harding went to see Roper in Colorado last week.

“Although the new staff hasn’t been around long, I’m lucky because we had a relationship going back to their time at Utah,” Roper told The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich ($). “Our visit yesterday went great. Coach Harding took time to make sure I knew I am an important part of their 2027 class.  He said that even though we may be a little further down the road with a few other schools, coach Whittingham and the staff feels like they can make up that ground. We discussed getting out for a visit in early March and I can’t wait to get to campus.”

Roper is impressed with Harding’s background, so that will be huge for Michigan’s chances. He can see himself doing big things with Harding as his coach.

“Coach Harding has an incredible reputation for developing guys,” he said. “As you know, his left tackle at Utah just won the Outland trophy. He’s always turned out great players and I believe I can be the next guy up in a long line of accomplished players.”

A visit to Ann Arbor is going to happen eventually, as Roper wants to go to campus before he makes his final decision.

“Absolutely,” Roper said about a visit. “I won’t make any decisions before I get a chance to step foot on campus.”

Michigan targeting four-star Oklahoma commit

Some top targets for Michigan are already committed elsewhere, but that isn’t stopping the Wolverines from pursuing. One important flip target is 2027 four-star cornerback Mikhail McCreary, who committed to Oklahoma in September.

“I’m committed to Oklahoma, but Michigan is a great school and my parents taught me to always build relationships,” McCreary told Marich ($).

New cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford recently went down to Texas to meet with McGreary, and it sounds like it was a productive visit.

“It was good,” McCreary said. “He’s a great coach. Him and the staff seem real genuine. With them just getting there two weeks ago and taking time to watch my film and then choosing to come see me, I’m grateful. (I already knew) Coach Gilford. Real genuine. Seems like a good coach.”

Now, the Wolverines are hoping McCreary will come to Ann Arbor for a visit.

“Definitely a conversation I would have to have with my parents,” McCreary said.

Quick-Hitters

• Michigan extended an offer to 2027 three-star offensive lineman Drew Fielder last week. He attends Servite High School in Anaheim, which is the same high school Mason Graham went to.

• Michigan also offered 2027 four-star defensive lineman Jon Ioane last week.

• Lastly, 2028 quarterback Koa Malau’ulu picked up an offer from Michigan last week.

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