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USA Today
21 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Alabama listed among finalists for 2026 linebacker, 4-star prospect
Alabama listed among finalists for 2026 linebacker, 4-star prospect Announced on Friday afternoon, the Alabama Crimson Tide have been listed among the finalists for 2026 linebacker prospect Anthony Davis Jr.. In addition to the Crimson Tide, Davis Jr. also lists the Auburn Tigers, Florida Gators, Michigan Wolverines, and Ole Miss Rebels among his finalists. According to the 247Sports Composite recruiting rankings, Davis Jr. is currently considered as the nation's No. 319 overall prospect in the 2026 class, as well as the No. 41 player in the state of Georgia out of Grayson High School. A four-star prospect, Davis Jr. is also ranked as the No. 22 overall linebacker in the class. So far this recruiting cycle, Alabama has seen success in Georgia, as three of their five current commits come from the state in Jorden Edmonds, Jamarion Matthews, and Chris Booker. Of the five commitments, none are currently linebackers. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
USC makes another huge splash on recruiting trail, lands five-star tight end Mark Bowman
USC makes another huge splash on recruiting trail, lands five-star tight end Mark Bowman USC football recruiting tsunami isn't slowing down at all USC football just continues to load up on the recruiting trail. On Friday, the Trojans added to their already top-ranked 2026 recruiting class, landing one of the top players in the cycle: five-star tight end Mark Bowman. Bowman plays at longtime USC feeder program Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California. He reclassified from the class of 2027 to 2026 earlier this year. 247Sports Composite ranks him as the No. 16 overall player and the No. 1 tight end in his class. Following the news, the USC football social media account posted a video edit that featured Trojan alum Will Ferrell jumping into a pool in the movie Anchorman. The video was a seemingly subtle troll of Oregon head coach Dan Lanning. Lanning recently went viral on social media for jumping into a pool with a recruit following his pledge to the Ducks, only for him to decommit earlier this week. USC is firmly ahead of Oregon on the recruiting trail right now. Now, it falls on Lincoln Riley to turn those recruiting wins into victories on the field.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan football's top underrated recruits of the modern era who beat the odds
Michigan football's top underrated recruits of the modern era who beat the odds With recruiting heating up for Michigan football now that official visitors are making their way to campus each weekend for the next month, we looked at the top recruits that the Wolverines have gotten in the modern era. Fans will certainly celebrate the big names that pledge to their favorite university, but what about the players who are somewhat under the radar? Michigan is not a traditional developmental school, yet it tends to do better by developing prospects that aren't of the blue-chip variety. Here, we're taking a look at the past 15 years of recruiting classes to see who rose above their station, those the recruiting services missed on that Michigan hit on, and those who had some kind of stunning disparity from one recruiting site to the next. The sites completely missed These are the guys that none of the recruiting services came close on, the ones that were so egregious that it makes you wonder if they had any idea that these players existed while in high school. Of course, one family dominates the headlines here, but they're not the only ones to make this category. These are the players that every site missed on to some degree compared to how they ended up doing in college and beyond. OL Graham Glasgow High school: Summit Argo (Ill.) Marmion Academy Drafted: third round, 2016 Class: 2011 Stars: not rated Ranking: not ranked The first of three brothers who came to Ann Arbor as a walk-on, Glasgow worked his way up to become a starter and thrived. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions, signed with the Denver Broncos, and then came back to the Lions, where he's still a starter at left guard. Easily the best story of development on the entire list. DT Ryan Glasgow High school: Summit Argo (Ill.) Marmion Academy Drafted: third round, 2017 Class: 2013 Stars: not rated Ranking: not ranked Like his brother before him, Ryan came to Michigan to play on the other side of the ball – again, as a walk-on. Just like Graham, he was drafted in the third round of the NFL draft, but injuries precluded him from having a profitable NFL career. OLB Josh Uche High school: Miami (Fla.) Columbus Drafted: second round, 2020 Class: 2016 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 701 overall (247Sports Composite) A consensus three-star, no one was particularly high on Uche coming out of high school. But, even with all of the talent that Michigan had in 2018 and 2019 (names like Rashan Gary, Kwity Paye, and Aidan Hutchinson), it was Uche who led the team in sacks each year. He was rewarded by being selected in the second round by the New England Patriots. EDGE Mike Danna High school: Warren (Mich.) De La Salle Drafted: fifth round, 2020 Class: 2015 Stars: 2-star Ranking: 2034 overall (247Sports Composite) We didn't include every transfer on this list, but Danna was the first notable one. A two-star who cut his teeth at Central Michigan, he became such a great rotational edge rusher that he was selected early on day three of the 2020 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs – a team he still plays for today. LB Jordan Glasgow High school: Summit Argo (Ill.) Marmion Academy Drafted: sixth round, 2020 Class: 2015 Stars: not rated Ranking: not ranked The third and final Glasgow brother to come through Ann Arbor, the trajectory was about the same. He went from being an unranked walk-on to being a starter to being drafted into the NFL by the Indianapolis Colts. Somehow, the recruiting services never picked up on the family dynasty. OL Jon Runyan Jr. High school: Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Josephs Drafted: sixth round, 2020 Class: 2015 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 1132 overall (247Sports Composite) It made sense that Runyan would end up in Ann Arbor given that he was a legacy prospect. But he wasn't exactly an obvious choice to eventually start – either in college or in the NFL. Yet, in 2018, Runyan got to start at left tackle and he ended up getting picked up by the Green Bay Packers in the draft. FB Ben Mason High school: Sandy Hook (Conn.) Newtown Drafted: fifth round, 2021 Class: 2017 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 796 overall (247Sports Composite) No one loved 'Bench Mason' like Jim Harbaugh did and his persistence in inserting Mason in as a fullback paid off. His brother, John, ended up taking him in the fifth round in the 2021 draft. But as a recruit, not many top schools were clamoring for him. LB Hassan Haskins High school: Eureka (Mo.) Drafted: fourth round, 2022 Class: 2018 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 975 overall (247Sports Composite) Michigan actually tried to keep Haskins a secret during his recruitment in hopes that other schools wouldn't find out about his prowess as a running back. Though he moonlighted as a linebacker, he came on strong in his sophomore year, backing up Zach Charbonnet. Then, in 2020, we started to see just how good he could be before he became the main starter in 2021 – splitting carries with Blake Corum. TE Luke Schoonmaker High school: Hamden (Conn.) Hall Drafted: second round, 2023 Class: 2018 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 796 overall (247Sports Composite) Another marvelous find by Michigan in the New England area, Schoonmaker started to show his prowess in 2019 but didn't truly round into form until 2021. By 2022, he was one of the Wolverines' primary threats in the pass game. He was picked in the second round by the Dallas Cowboys. WR Ronnie Bell High school: Kansas City (Mo.) Park Hill Drafted: seventh round, 2023 Class: 2018 Stars: 2-star (Rivals) Ranking: 1473 overall (247Sports Composite) Perhaps the best receiver Michigan has had in the past decade, Bell outshined all kinds of supposed superior talent – including five-star Donovan Peoples-Jones and current NFL star Nico Collins. A basketball commit to Missouri State, Michigan saw something in him and nabbed him not long before the early signing period – to which Wolverines fans asked, 'Who?' His fifth year wasn't quite as prolific as his previous seasons, perhaps because he was returning to form after a catastrophic injury sustained in the 2021 season opener. But it was still good enough to hear his name called when picked by the San Francisco 49ers. LB Michael Barrett High school: Valdosta (Ga.) Lowndes Drafted: seventh round, 2024 Class: 2018 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 751 overall (247Sports Composite) This one makes some sense given that Barrett was a dual-threat quarterback and came to Ann Arbor as – a football player? Thought to eventually be used as Don Brown's 'viper,' he got that chance in 2020, to mixed reviews. But late in 2022, the lights turned on and he became a standout linebacker in a more traditional sense rather than a hybrid safety-linebacker. EDGE Josaiah Stewart High school: Everett (Mass.) Drafted: third round, 2025 Class: 2021 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 749 overall (247Sports Composite) A transfer from Coastal Carolina, Stewart was picked up by Michgian as a four-star transfer. But even then, he exceeded expectations. Certainly, none of the recruiting experts anticipated that Stewart would be a third round pick, and given his lack of size on the edge, it's not surprising. The sites were definitely off, but most all of them were on the same page These are the ones who needed a little bit more development and weren't just obvious misses by the recruiting services. The consensus three-stars (or pretty close) who ended up doing much more once they had time on task. WR Jehu Chesson High school: St. Louis (Mo.) Ladue Horton Watkins Drafted: fourth round, 2017 Class: 2012 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 656 overall (247Sports Composite) It was clear when Chesson arrived in Ann Arbor that he would eventually end up being pretty good – him and four-star WR Amara Darboh. The question was more about who would be better? They both ended up about equal, and Chesson ended up being drafted by Kansas City. S Jeremy Clark High school: Madisonville (Ky.) North Hopkins Drafted: sixth round, 2017 Class: 2012 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 579 overall (247Sports Composite) Clark was what they call a 'greyshirt,' meaning he wasn't on scholarship when he first arrived on campus – that shows just how little he was thought of from a national perspective. He had injury issues while in Ann Arbor but was good enough that he was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round in 2017. S Josh Metellus High school: Pembroke Pines (Fla.) Charles Flanagan Drafted: sixth round, 2020 Class: 2016 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 719 overall (247Sports Composite) ESPN actually had Metellus as a four-star, somewhat shockingly, given that he was listed by the recruiting services as a two-star at the time of his commitment. Thought to be collateral by fans at the time of his pledge, given Michigan's pursuit of his teammate Devin Bush, Metellus has proven to be one of the best players on this entire list. A longtime starter with the Minnesota Vikings, he's also a team captain, and he's feared as a safety all around the league. EDGE Kwity Paye High school: Warwick (R.I.) Bishop Hendricken Drafted: first round, 2021 Class: 2017 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 481 overall (247Sports Composite) Another one that ESPN was all over, having him as a four-star, Michigan fans actually lamented when Paye committed, calling him a 'Don Brown special.' Once evaluators got their eyes on him, he rose to a higher three-star ranking on 247Sports and Rivals, but still didn't rise to what he became: a first-round talent. OL Andrew Stueber High school: Darien (Conn.) Drafted: seventh round, 2022 Class: 2017 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 363 overall (247Sports Composite) A camp offer, no one thought much of Stueber as a recruit, but he ended up being a solid offensive lineman for the Wolverines. 247Sports proprietary ranking actually had Stueber as a four-star. DT Kris Jenkins High school: Olney (Md.) Good Counsel Drafted: second round, 2024 Class: 2020 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 502 overall (247Sports Composite) With an NFL pedigree in his blood, Jenkins saw the field right away as a freshman. He was arguably Michigan's best lineman by his third year, 2022, even while starting alongside Mazi Smith – who became a first round pick in 2023. A fan favorite, Jenkins was a standout on a defensive front that was rife with NFL picks. DB Mike Sainristil High school: Everett (Mass.) Drafted: second round, 2024 Class: 2019 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 589 overall (247Sports Composite) Speaking of fan favorites, there's perhaps no one on this list that Michigan fans love more than Mike Sainristil. Originally committed to Virginia Tech as a cornerback, he came to Ann Arbor as a wide receiver, but switched back to defense in 2022 – and became the best player on the entire star-studded defense at nickel. He was picked in the second round by the Washington Commanders and became a starter there almost immediately. DT Kenneth Grant High school: Merrillville (Ind.) Drafted: first round, 2025 Class: 2022 Stars: 3-star (Rivals, ESPN) Ranking: 444 overall (247Sports Composite) On3 and 247Sports were all over this one with Grant being listed as four-star, but ESPN and Rivals had him as a three-star. On3 was by far the highest on him, as 247Sports still didn't have him in their Top247. He went on to be the No. 13 overall selection in this year's draft. The overachievers Michigan managed to get some players who the recruiting services were split on – some saw them as top talent, while others not so much. But these are players who ended up being even better than even the most optimistic sites had envisioned. Regardless, it makes you wonder: what were the dissenting sites seeing? DT Mo Hurst High school: Westwood (Mass.) Xaverian Brothers Drafted: fifth round, 2018 Class: 2013 Stars: 3-star (Rivals, ESPN) Ranking: 256 overall (247Sports Composite) Hurst was projected to be a first rounder until a heart problem discovered at the NFL scouting combine tanked his draft stock. And he's the first on this list that did have a four-star ranking to at least one recruiting service (247Sports) but was seen as a three-star on the others. Even so, he was easily the best player on the 2017 team and was unstoppable in the middle of the defense. LB Devin Bush Jr. High school: Hollywood (Fla.) Charles Flanagan Drafted: first round, 2019 Class: 2016 Stars: 3-star (247Sports) Ranking: 316 overall (247Sports Composite) The No. 10 overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019, Bush was an absolute star at linebacker, particularly in 2018. Even though Rivals and ESPN had him as a four-star, 247Sports was lagging behind, having Bush as the 62nd-best player in the state of Florida, compared to Rivals which had him 26th. EDGE Chase Winovich – third round High school: Jefferson Hills (Pa.) Thomas Jefferson Drafted: third round, 2019 Class: 2014 Stars: 3-star (ESPN) Ranking: 290 overall (247Sports Composite) ESPN was the only one that truly missed on Winovich, but no one really thought he'd become as dominant as he eventually did. Listed as a linebacker in high school, he started there, moved to tight end and fullback, starred on special teams, then became an edge rusher in 2016 and thrived. EDGE David Ojabo High school: Blairstown (N.J.) Blair Academy Drafted: second round, 2022 Class: 2018 Stars: 3-star (Rivals) Ranking: 331 overall (247Sports Composite) 247Sports and ESPN were all over this one, but Rivals had Ojabo as a three-star. Yet, if it weren't for a catastrophic injury during pro day, he would have been a first-round draft pick. OG Zak Zinter High school: North Andover (Mass.) Buckingham Brown & Nichols School Drafted: third round, 2024 Class: 2020 Stars: 3-star (247Sports) Ranking: 249 overall (247Sports Composite) Rivals and ESPN both understood the assignment and had Zinter as a four-star. 247Sports, however, listed him as a three-star. Given that he quickly became (as soon as his sophomore year) the best offensive lineman on a star-studded group that won two straight Joe Moore Awards and a national championship, it's at least worth pointing out. DT Mason Graham High school: Anaheim (Calif.) Servite Drafted: first round, 2025 Class: 2022 Stars: 3-star (ESPN) Ranking: 247 overall (247Sports Composite) Called the 72nd-best defensive tackle by ESPN and 49th by On3, Graham ended up being the first one taken in this most recent NFL draft. The other sites got on board around the time that Michigan identified him, listing him as a four-star. But On3 and ESPN lagged behind on this one. Still, even as the No. 247 player in the country as a recruit, he was still awfully underrated. Does Michigan do more with less? In some ways, it appears so, as the Wolverines have had better luck putting three-and four-sars into the league. Yes, there have been five-stars who became first-rounders, but just as often, the lower-rated players who developed ended up being high-end NFL draft picks.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Badger Commit Flirting with Rebels? Reed's Ole Miss Visit
Badger Commit Flirting with Rebels? Reed's Ole Miss Visit originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Wisconsin football team's 2026 recruiting class currently stands at seven committed players. Among those players, and the Badgers' top-rated player according to the 247Sports rankings, is defensive lineman/EDGE Carmelow Reed. Advertisement Reed committed to the Badgers at the beginning of April, but his commitment to the Wisconsin football team may not be solid. Despite making a pledge to the Badgers, Reed could have his eyes looking elsewhere. It could be a case of him just making sure he's making the right decision, but in a report from Adam Gorney, the national recruiting director for Rivals and Yahoo Sports, Reed is expected to take a visit to the Ole Miss Rebels this weekend. The 3-star defensive lineman out of Olympia Fields, Illinois, is the 531st-overall player in the 2026 class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. He is the 63rd-ranked defensive lineman and 13th overall player in the state of Illinois. Advertisement He committed to the Badgers over a handful of Power 4 teams, including LSU, Ole Miss, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Missouri, and others. Should the Badgers lose their pledge from Carmelow Reed, they will need to turn up the heat on some of their upcoming visits. Whether he is an edge or a defensive lineman, the Badgers are already relatively thin at those positions, especially along the defensive line. Related: Badgers Make Top 5 for Elite DL Jermaine Polk Stay in the loop with all things Wisconsin Badgers football and men's basketball by visiting for more updates. Ready to join the community? Follow Athlon Sports on YouTube, Facebook, and X to join in on the conversation. Advertisement You can also follow Staff Writer Christian Borman at @ChristianBorman on X. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Alabama predicted to land 5-star linebacker following commitment date announcement
Alabama predicted to land 5-star linebacker following commitment date announcement One of the Alabama Crimson Tide's top targets in the 2026 recruiting class regardless of position, highly-touted linebacker prospect Xavier Griffin has now set an official commitment date. Per a report from On3's Hayes Fawcett, Griffin will be announcing his decision June 29 between four programs, which are Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State, and Texas. In addition to the report, On3 recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong has also placed a prediction for Griffin to eventually commit to Alabama. According to the 247Sports Composite recruiting rankings, Griffin is currently considered as the nation's No. 27 overall player in the 2026 class, as well as the No. 2 linebacker in the cycle. A five-star prospect, Griffin is also ranked as the No. 4 overall player in the state of Georgia where he attends Gainesville High School. Griffin is also a former USC commit who was previously committed to the Trojans from July 2024 through May 2025. At the moment, Alabama's 2026 recruiting class has only five players committed, one of which is a teammate of Griffin at Gainesville in four-star edge rusher Jamarion Matthews. Of those five commitments, three also currently come from the state of Georgia. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
