Michigan impresses ELITE 5-star recruit during recent visit
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Welcome to the Recruiting Roundup, our twice-a-week series breaking down the latest developments on the recruiting trail for the Michigan Wolverines. We’ll keep you up to date on the top targets, the visits they take, the predictions that analysts make, and everything in between. Here’s what you need to know today…
Four-star WR says Michigan “definitely moved up”
Michigan had a loaded visitor list for its 17-10 win over No. 11 Oklahoma, and 2028 four-star wide receiver Jeramy Laster Jr. was among the prospects who came away impressed. The Hendersonville (Tenn.) Beech standout liked what he saw from Kyle Whittingham’s team last weekend.
“It was great seeing them bounce back and prove the media wrong,” Laster told The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich ($). “I loved the coaches and their energy.”
Michigan’s recent push has also changed where the Wolverines stand in his recruitment.
“I always loved Michigan,” Laster said. “I just was waiting for them to notice me. They definitely moved up (the list) for me and my family.”
That’s a pretty good return from one weekend. Michigan already had Laster’s attention, and now that the interest is mutual, the Wolverines have given themselves a chance to become a serious player in his recruitment.
Nation’s No. 1 cornerback impressed by Michigan
Laster wasn’t the only highly-rated 2028 prospect Michigan impressed. Newark (N.J.) Malcolm X Shabazz five-star cornerback Nasir Richardson was also in town. The 6-foot-1, 165-pounder is ranked No. 9 overall and No. 1 at the cornerback position in the 2028 class.
His father, Dominique Richardson, raved about the experience in an interview with Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong ($).
“It was a great experience,” Dominique said. “It was unbelievable to be honest. It showed us real college football up close. The tradition, the fans, the facilities, it was high-level stuff.
“When you’re sitting around speaking to everyone there’s a genuineness you feel in the opportunities and potential opportunities that are there. They made us feel like a family and they made it clear that’s what they do.”
The family also sees a potential fit in Michigan’s defense.
“They give the DBs a lot of leeway to move around and a lot of responsibility and I see Nasir fitting into that,” Dominique said. “He’s a versatile guy that can bring a lot to the table.”
Richardson recently visited Penn State and is headed to Ohio State next. Future stops are expected to include Rutgers, Miami, Florida, Auburn, Texas A&M, Notre Dame and Oregon, so there’s still plenty of competition here. Still, Michigan gave the top corner plenty to think about.
Michigan offers Indiana’s top 2028 prospect, then gets a prediction
2028 Fort Wayne (Ind.) Wayne four-star edge Javontae Eldridge also visited for the win over Oklahoma, and Larry Black, David Denham and Lewis Powell extended him a scholarship offer Tuesday night.
“I love the coaches, love the fans, it just feels amazing there,” Eldridge told Rivals’ Wiltfong ($). “… The fans, they make it feel it like home. What really stands out to me is the opportunity to develop on and off the field. The football tradition, the coaching, and the chance to compete at a high level really caught my attention.”
Then came another encouraging development for Michigan. On Wednesday, Wiltfong logged a prediction for Eldridge to eventually commit to the Wolverines.
Eldridge also holds offers from Missouri, Vanderbilt, Purdue, Iowa State, Virginia Tech and Nebraska. According to the Rivals Industry Ranking, the 6-foot-5, 250-pounder is the No. 219 overall prospect, No. 22 edge and No. 1 player in Indiana.
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