Recruiting Roundup: Predictions roll in for 2 top in-state targets
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The calendar has flipped to May, and recruits in the 2027 class will soon be announcing their college decisions in bulk. The Michigan Wolverines cleaned up last June and July, and the new coaching staff is hoping to see that again this year. Some predictions are coming in for Michigan to land some top targets, so that’s a good sign. Let’s break it all down in today’s Recruiting Roundup.
Two in-state targets predicted to commit to Michigan
A couple top targets in the 2027 class reside on the west side of the state, as three-star athlete Lundon Hampton (Grand Rapids) and four-star offensive lineman Jakari Lipsey (Kalamazoo) are high on the priority list.
Michigan wants to keep the best players in the state, and Rivals’ Allen Trieu ($) recently placed predictions in for Michigan to land both of these prospects.
Lipsey is one of the top offensive linemen in the country and the No. 2 player in Michigan. He is also close to being a Top 100 recruit in the nation at No. 104 overall on the Rivals Industry Ranking. Hampton — who is being recruited to play running back at Michigan — is the No. 18 player in the state and No. 920 overall.
Hampton and Lipsey will be taking their official visit to Michigan the weekend of June 5. Michigan State is the biggest competition for Hampton, while Wisconsin, LSU, Tennessee and UCLA are all teams to watch for Lipsey.
Michigan looking to flip standout Texas Tech commit
It’s not quite flip season yet, but the Wolverines are taking aim at players that are currently committed elsewhere. One of those targets is 2027 four-star linebacker Jhadyn Nelson. He committed to Texas Tech after he admitted that he received a deal that was too good to pass up, but Michigan is trying to win him over.
“Michigan thinks I’m a great player and wants to visit me in May,” Nelson told Rivals’ Sam Spiegelman ($).
Alex Whittingham is leading the way in this recruitment and is trying to get Nelson to visit sometime late next month. Texas Tech has some serious recruiting money, so it might be a challenge for Michigan to win this battle. Still, it looks like the Wolverines are going to give it their all.
Michigan a top option for four-star CB
Michigan is one of the final schools still in the hunt for 2027 four-star cornerback Darius Johnson. He is also heavily considering Cal, Oregon and Kansas, but his relationship with Jernaro Gilford could be the difference.
“The relationship is great,” Johnson told On3’s Ethan McDowell ($). “It’s been going on for years now because, coach Gilford, he was my first offer back when I was a freshman. He’s really seen the potential in me since I was that young, which is great. …I just like his energy. I like his IQ, the way he coaches and stuff. I’ve been to their practice. I’ve seen how he coaches his players in person, so I can just picture myself being coached by him.”
Johnson was also a big fan of the energy he saw from Michigan while he attended practice. A lot of players have commented on it, and recruits are taking notice as well.
“What surprised me was really just the energy,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting that coming in, but they were flying around. Energy was great. They were competing a lot, which is great… And the DB room, they all encourage each other to be better. They push each other. If someone messes up, they’re like, ‘Come on, you gotta do better than that.’ They have an expectation, which I like, [that] is really high.”
Johnson’s official visit to Michigan will be June 19-21 for Victors Weekend.
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