Recruiting Roundup: Recruits react to Indiana weekend visits

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…

Recruits react to Indiana visits

Michigan lost a tough one over the weekend against the Indiana Hoosiers, but despite the loss, the feedback from recruits who were on campus was pretty positive.

“It was cool,” 2028 five-star quarterback Jayden Wade’s (No. 6 ranked player, IMG Academy) advisor Mike Evans told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong ($) on Monday morning. “We’ll have more on that in the near future. Wade committed to UGA nearly a year ago, and while it will be tough to flip him from the Bulldogs, Michigan is one of the programs he’s keeping warm. Michigan has a good program. The coaches there were at Utah and they offered him when he was younger. That sticks out a lot.”

2028 three-star offensive lineman Jace Montgomery (No. 369 overall, Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Ohio) was also on campus, and he has genuine interest in coming to Michigan.

“I had a great time in Ann Arbor,” Montgomery said. “Other top schools include Iowa and Oklahoma. What stands out about Michigan to me when I think about playing there is just the all-around support and effort that the Michigan community and alumni base puts into the program. First off they have great coaches that will help develop me like they have done with others in the past. The education is top-notch and on top of that the alumni base is one of the biggest and most active in the country. It’s a school were you can go not only to become a better football player but also a student and set yourself up for life. They are one of a couple schools that I am truly interested in attending.”

One interesting prospect to keep an eye on is four-star cornerback Deonte Flemings (No. 129 in 2028 class, McDowell High School in Erie, Pennsylvania) who committed to Penn State back in January. He was impressed with the environment at The Big House this weekend.

“Great atmosphere,” Flemings said. “Love the atmosphere. The fans to be honest. How they were in the game all four quarters. They run the perfect defense for me.”

It was another brutal loss for the Wolverines, but hopefully there will be some recruiting wins from it.

Michigan DL commit visits Texas

In less positive news, 2027 four-star defensive lineman Xavier Muhammad, who committed to Michigan back in May, took a visit to Texas over the weekend. The good news for Michigan is that according to Muhammad’s mom, he’s still solid with the Wolverines.

“We are preparing as schedule for national signing day with Michigan,” she told On3’s Ethan McDowell ($).

On the other hand, Texas was late to the game and seems to be making a serious push now.

“(Texas) apologized for waiting so late and told me how proud they were of my growth,” Muhammad said. “I mean, it’s Texas! I’m from Texas, so I grew up watching the Longhorns.”

Muhammad is the No. 106 player in the 2027 class.

Michigan hosted Pitt commit for third straight home game

Another flip target for the Wolverines is 2027 three-star wide receiver Jacob Thomas, who is currently committed to Pitt. Thomas was in Ann Arbor over the weekend, and it sounds like he is developing a strong relationship with the staff.

“The communication between me and the staff has been on point, and they been telling me a lot of good things about the program,” Thomas told On3’s McDowell ($). “So I decided to visit Michigan because I wanted to see everything the program has to offer, build a better relationship with the coaching staff, and get a feel for the environment. Michigan is a great program, and I want to see how I could fit in and make an impact early in my career. I’m excited to get up there, learn more about the program, and see if it’s the right place for me to reach my goals on and off the field.”

The Michigan coaching staff seems to have a good plan in place for Thomas and his future, and that is something that excites the Miramar, Florida native.

“The staff’s message to me has been that they see my potential and believe I can come in and make an impact early,” Thomas said. “They want me to get up there, see the program for myself, build relationships with the coaches, and talk more about their plan for me. I feel like they believe in what I can bring to the team, and I’m excited to get up there and learn more about the opportunity.”

Thomas is the No. 1,016 player in the 2027 class and he currently attends Miami Senior High School.