Latest news with #VictorsWeekend
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan football gains ground on 4-star DT Deuce Geralds, who sets Aug. 2 commitment date
Michigan football recruiting was on an absolute tear in the month of June and the start of July, but now, many of the remaining top targets are slowing things down as they decide if they want to play in Ann Arbor or elsewhere. One of the prospects that the Wolverines hosted for an official visit was 2026 Suwanee (Ga.) Collins Hill four-star defensive tackle Deuce Geralds, who took a midweek visit just before Victors Weekend. It had appeared as if the maize and blue weren't in the best position for Geralds, but after his trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan appears to have surged. But will it be enough? Geralds teased a big announcement on Wednesday and it turned out it was his commitment date (and not a commitment). With five schools in contention, Geralds will announce his school of choice on August 2. While Ohio State, LSU, and Ole Miss all made the cut, this appears to be a Michigan vs. Oregon battle. Given that he's not deciding today, that's perhaps good news for Lou Esposito and the Wolverines, as the Ducks probably have a slight lead at the moment. Michigan does have something of a logjam along the defensive line at the moment, with two defensive tackles (four-stars Alister Vallejo and Titan Davis) and four edge rushers (five-star Carter Meadows, four-stars McHale Blade and Julian Walker, and three-star Tariq Boney) all pledged. Geralds is rated the No. 73 player in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite.
USA Today
08-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan's 2026 CB Dorian Barney pledges to never lose to rival Ohio State
Michigan football's latest commitment gets it. Not just that he espouses what it means to be a Michigan Man -- to be academics-focused, to have a good head on his shoulders -- but also what it means to wear a winged helmet beyond embracing the traditions and the ethos in Ann Arbor. 2026 Carrollton (Ga.) four-star cornerback Dorian Barney was thought to be headed elsewhere until his official visit for Victors Weekend. Then, on Saturday, he ended his recruitment, committing to the Wolverines. From there, he spoke to On3's Chad Simmons (subscription required) where he uttered a simple sentence, sure to draw ire of folks to the immediate south of the Monroe-Toledo line. 'I will not lose to Ohio State while I'm there,' Barney said. Those are some J.J. McCarthy vibes -- albeit at a position not quite as vital as quarterback. But having a player in the defensive backfield with that type of confidence, as Barney appears to hav,e is crucial against the Buckeyes. It's two-fold: one, Michigan needs to field high-caliber defensive backs against OSU, especially as Ohio State loads up on wide receivers like they're offensive linemen; two, for nearly two decades, there was disbelief in Ann Arbor that the Wolverines could beat the Buckeyes. Now the shoe is on the other foot. Michigan has four straight wins over Ohio State at this juncture. By the time Barney arrives, it could be five or the clock could be reset to zero. But one thing is for sure -- if Barney makes good on his promise, fans in Ann Arbor will be looking back to his comments as prescient. However, the Wolverines have to work to negate the flip side, as OSU wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has already vowed he won't lose to Michigan for the next two years.
USA Today
05-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan football adds 4-star CB Dorian Barney to 2026 class from Georgia
BREAKING: Four-Star CB Dorian Barney has Committed to Michigan, he tells me for @rivalsThe 6'1 185 CB from Carrollton, GA chose the Wolverines over Ole Miss, Penn State, & Texas A&M'I know being a Michigan man I will succeed in every way possible! 〽️' Michigan football entered the weekend with two cornerbacks committed -- Andre Clarke and Brody Jennings -- but the latter ended up flipping to Miami on Saturday. It took quite some time in the process before the maize and blue had some traction, as it appeared he was likely Penn State-bound, but 2026 Carrollton (Ga.) four-star cornerback visited Ann Arbor for Victors Weekend and apparently made a move. Texas A&M and Georgia Tech also posed major threats, but soon after his official visit, Michigan football started getting predictions he'd end up in Ann Arbor. That came to fruition on Saturday as Barney committed to the Wolverines. He made his commitment live on the Rivals YouTube channel. Barney is Michigan's 21st commitment in the 2026 class, and the remaining targets are now few. Five-star wide receiver Calvin Russell is also set to decide on Saturday, five-star running back Savion Hiter is setting a commitment date soon, and four-star safety Davon Benjamin is likely to decide in early August. Michigan is still working on four-star linebackers Nick Abrams II and Brayden Rouse. Here is the class as it currently stands: All rankings by the 247Sports Composite Barney is the second prospect that Michigan has gotten from the state of Georgia. Georgia, Virginia, Texas, and Washington D.C. appear to be the hottest areas for Michigan football recruiting in 2026.
USA Today
01-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan football erupts over 4-star edge Julian Walker's 2026 commitment
The Wolverines continue to be on a tear on the recruiting trail, continuously adding players to the 2026 class. June was a hot month, with Michigan football gaining 12 commitments, and July has shown no signs of slowing down. Despite his father being on staff in the strength and conditioning department at South Carolina, Irmo (S.C.) Dutch Fork four-star edge rusher Julian Walker ended up ending his recruitment on Tuesday, making the move to commit to the maize and blue. Given that people were circulating a picture after Victors Weekend -- with Tariq Boney (the only one committed at the time), Titan Davis, Carter Meadows, and Walker -- fans, media, recruits, and coaches are elated about Walker joining the class. Here are the best reactions. Michigan DL coach Lou Esposito Michigan DT commit Alister Vallejo The Michigan Insider's Brice Marich Michigan EDGE commit Carter Meadows Michigan DT commit Titan Davis Michigan WR commit Jaylen Pile Michigan WR commit Jaylen Pile The Wolverine's Clayton Sayfie The Wolverine's Ethan McDowell 247Sports' Steve Lorenz Maize & Blue Review's Trevor McCue Steve Deace The Michigan Insider's Sam Webb Michigan offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey Michigan director of player personnel Albert Karschnia Yours truly
USA Today
01-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan football's 2026 class grows with 4-star edge rusher Julian Walker
We can't start every discourse on Michigan football recruiting by saying that the Wolverines are on a heater, can we? Well, we have to because Michigan football recruiting is on a heater. And the locomotive isn't slowing down; it appears to be gaining speed. One area where the maize and blue have thrived on the 2026 recruiting trail is in the trenches. The offensive line has a ton of promise with four-stars Malakai Lee, Marky Walbridge, and Bear McWhorter pledged, but defensive line recruiting has been on another level. The Wolverines have five-star edge rusher Carter Meadows, four-star edge McHale Blade, four-star tackles Titan Davis and Alister Vallejo, and three-star edge Tariq Boney committed already. What's one more four-star edge rusher? Thought to be a strong South Carolina lean due to his father being on the strength staff in Columbia, Irmo (S.C.) Dutch Fork four-star edge rusher Julian Walker shocked the college football world when he chose Michigan football over the Gamecocks. Walker visited Ann Arbor for Victors Weekend on June 20 and thus completes the picture he posted emanating from that weekend's photoshoot, featuring him, Tariq Boney, Carter Meadows, and Titan Davis. He was also strongly considering North Carolina and USC, and had offers from Auburn, Kentucky, Syracuse, NC State, Virginia Tech, and others. Scouting report and ranking Here's the scouting report from 247Sports' Clint Brewster: Walker possesses great overall size and length that correlates well to the next level as a 3-4 defensive lineman. He has fluid movements to get past the offensive tackle from both inside and outside rushes. Chases the ball with a great motor and can turn and flatten down the line of scrimmage. Plays with reactive quickness and has a counter move. Walker has the strength and toughness to be disruptive against the run and make plays as a true 3-down player. Depending on body type and how he develops, Walker could potentially move inside on passing downs. Walker is listed at 6-foot-6, 252 pounds and is ranked highest by On3, which has him at No. 136 overall, regardless of position. The rest of the class With Walker in the fold, the Wolverines only really have one defensive line target remaining in Suwanee (Ga.) Collins Hill four-star defensive tackle Deuce Geralds. All rankings by the 247Sports Composite Michigan is hoping to get good news throughout the week, with other players such as cornerback Donovan Webb, wide receivers Travis Johnson and Calvin Russell, offensive lineman John Turntine III, and cornerback Dorian Barney deciding.
