Michigan Football ‘tied for No. 1’ for WR recruit after game day visit
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Welcome to the Recruiting Roundup, our twice-per-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…
Michigan emerging as leader for in-state WR
The Wolverines lost one of the worst heartbreakers in recent memory against the Iowa Hawkeyes, but the good news is that it was a successful recruiting weekend. The Big House environment was great, and the offense actually gave recruits on that side of the ball something to be excited about.
One of those players is 2028 three-star wide receiver Tyler Trusel. At 6-foot-3 ad 180 pounds, Trusel is from Brother Ride in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and is ranked No. 490 overall on the Rivals Industry Rankings.
“It was great,” Trusel told On3’s Ethan McDowell ($). “The atmosphere was lit. The fans treated me very well. They treated me like I was at home.
“They threw the ball a lot. Like I told you before, I want to be in an offense that throws the ball, where I can get the ball and I can show my versatility, and I love that they did that. Bryce threw for 270, two passing touchdowns. That’s what I wanted to see from him more. He’s a great passer. Everybody thinks he can’t pass. I think he’s a great passer. He’s a great runner, too.”
Current commits, like three-star offensive lineman Louis Esposito, are working hard to do their job to bring Trusel home.
“He told me to commit today, man,” Trusel said. “They really want me down there, making me feel like I’m welcome, making me feel like I’m a part of that team and that commitment group.”
After the visit, Michigan is one of Trusel’s top choices.
“They really moved up,” he admitted. “They were my No. 3, but after what I seen yesterday, they’re tied for No. 1 right now.”
More positive reviews roll in from visitors
Despite the loss, many recruits still had positive experiences this weekend. 2028 four-star offensive lineman Mataio Fano (No. 175 player in class from Orem, Utah) enjoyed his trip to Ann Arbor.
“It was great!” Fano told On3’s McDowell ($). “Not the ending everyone wanted, but it was really good to see all of the coaches and catch up and see all the coaches and players in action.”
Michigan could be looking to flip 2027 three-star linebacker James Conrad (No. 1,640 player in class, Cleveland, Ohio) away from Buffalo. It sounds like if the Wolverines offer him, they will have a good chance to land him.
“They said they really liked me and that I was definitely on the board,” Conrad said. “Might just be taking things week by week. Hope to see an offer in the future.”
Conrad got to spend a lot of time with different coaches, and that was a good experience for him.
“Jax Egan and Alex Whittingham are both really personable people,” Conrad said. “I was grateful that they stopped by postgame to talk. Also, pregame when I was watching the linebackers warm up, I could see how much those guys got fired up around coach Whittingham.”
In-state UNC commit also visited for Iowa game
Another important in-state wide receiver prospect who attended the Iowa game is 2027 three-star Chad Willis. Willis is the No. 595 player in the class and is from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, not too far from Ann Arbor. He committed to North Carolina in July, but despite the commitment, Willis was in Ann Arbor on Saturday for the Iowa game. Some fans in the student section made sure to show him some love.
Michigan lost the game, but the offensive performance had to be encouraging for wide receiver recruits to see. Underwood had the best game of his career, and Michigan had two receivers rack over 100 yards on Iowa’s stingy defense. Maybe that will help sway Willis towards a flip to the Wolverines.
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