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USA Today
01-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Q&A: Jonathan Brown discusses his path to 2026 Michigan football commitment
Fans tend to have a pretty good beat on recruiting, knowing who the top targets are and who might end up joining the class before it even happens. But a few weeks ago, fans and the media alike were taken by surprise with a new commitment to Michigan football. He was on running backs coach Tony Alford's radar, but not even the recruiting sites. Yet, 2026 Columbus (Ohio) St. Francis de Sales three-star tailback Jonathan Brown went from being a virtual unknown to a Wolverines commit just about overnight. It started at the SoundMind SoundBody college showcase camp on June 1, when Brown got to show off his skills in front of Alford. Later that week, he camped in Ann Arbor. He left with an offer, and it didn't take too long for him to commit to the maize and blue. Now he's been rated by the recruiting services and is the No. 561 player in the country, regardless of position, according to the 247Sports Composite. On Tuesday, Brown spoke with WolverinesWire about his recruitment, how he'll fit into Michigan football, his own expectations within the program, as well as the reaction from his high school teammate RJ Day, and his father, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day. Here is everything he had to say. First off, just tell me kind of how things went, right, because like it's kind of started at SMSB and then went into camp, if I'm not mistaken. So what was that process like for you? I feel like everything went pretty quick because, yeah, of course, I went to the SoundMind SoundBody camp and Coach Alford saw me and prior to that. I met Coach Alford when I was a freshman and I went up to OSU to do a little workout with RJ Day, Ryan Day's kid, and he remembered me. And he said, I got bigger, stronger, and I look better. So we exchanged numbers and he invited me back to the camp, about, I'll say, two or three weeks later. So me and my dad made the decision to go to that camp. It was, I think it was on a Wednesday and he called me and was like, do you want to come to the camp? And I was like, yes, sir. And so the next day grabbed my dad, and we went up to Michigan, and that's how it all started. Were you kind of surprised? I know you had the prior relationships there, but was it surprising to you that things happened kind of as fast as they did? Yes, sir. Everything went really quick, but I got the ability to showcase what I could do because I feel like taking the opportunity to show kids that you can get offers from camps. It doesn't matter, it's never too late. I feel like my story is kind of similar to Justin Jefferson's where he went to an LSU camp. No one really knew who he was, and he showed out and showed what he could do and got the offer. And I feel like that's the same route that I took because my film didn't really show the type of player that I am now. So I feel like I've put on 30 pounds since the season. So when coaches see that, they're like, oh, wow, this kid is different than what we saw on film. So I feel like that is a good representation of hard work and dedication. Now, why Michigan? Is it just because they showed essentially being able to recognize that in you, or was there something else about it? Was it the relationship with Alford? What made you decide to pull the trigger for Michigan at the time that you did? I just feel like Coach Moore had his plan and his goal for his team, and his message is something that I really like. He really has something going at Michigan. And then Coach Alford, he's straight to the point, no bluff, and he's a good coach. He's produced many great backs in the league -- J.K. Dobbins, soon-to-be TreVeyon Henderson, Ezekiel Elliott. So he's produced a bunch of great backs. So I feel like my development can really do something under him. How did Sherrone Moore and Tony Alford, how do they see you fitting into the team? How are they talking to you about how they see you, your role as a running back in this offense? They see me as a guy that could come in and by my sophomore year under the program, really bursting onto the scene -- because there's some things that I still have to work on and I'm getting better at right now. But I feel like they said, because I feel like I'm a work in progress, so I'm not perfect by any means. So I feel like a year in the program, learning everything -- and I'm going to graduate early so I can get in early with the guys, lift, and get to know the program a little bit better. So I feel like, yeah, by my sophomore year, really burst onto the scene. They see you more as like kind of a speed back? Looking to piggyback off of that, what kind of back do you want to be down the line? All-purpose back. I feel like I could, with the weight that I put on, I'm definitely going to be more aggressive. If I'm more aggressive, you'll see me running over guys, and I can catch outof the backfield, which is a really good trait that I have. Not a lot of people knew because it wasn't on film, but you can see that I can catch out of the backfield, which is a good trait to have as a back, and working on pass blocking. Did you get a lot of flak when you committed to Michigan, considering you're not just in Ohio, you're in Columbus? Yes, sir. I feel like I got more good than bad because a lot of people supported the decision, because I still am a kid at the end of the day, so there's not much they can really do about it. And I feel like I've seen a little bit of hate, but it's been more love than hate. You are teammates with RJ Day. He's your quarterback. What was his reaction? Yes, sir. Me and RJ, we have a good connection, so it was nothing personal at all because he knows that football is a business at the end of the day. So it was nothing personal. We still love each other as teammates. And with Coach Day -- me and Coach Day, our relationship is still the same. I saw him, I think, last week, and he congratulated me and everything and said how proud of me he was and that I'm going to do great things. And we've had talks in the past about my future, and that I could really be a great, great player in the future. Was being someone from Columbus, was Ohio State the dream school, or did you have a dream school? No, sir. No, I wouldn't say -- my dream school would be the school that I feel would fulfill all my needs. Obviously, Michigan is really big on the academic side. Do you have an idea of what you want to study? Has that been a part of the process as well? Yes, sir. I want to study business. I want to get into business analytics and stocks, and breaking down how much money a business is bringing in, the revenue, and all that. Revenue shares and the numbers of how business is working.


USA Today
24-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Inside look into Michigan football Victors Weekend: How commits led the recruiting charge
'Victors Weekend' is always the biggest recruiting push that Michigan football has every year (aside from the BBQ at the Big House), as it's the final official visit weekend, and the bulk of the commits come to take their official visits at the same time that the top overall targets also make their way to Ann Arbor. For this Victors Weekend, Michigan had all of its commits on campus while some of the most coveted prospects -- five-star wide receiver Calvin Russell, five-star edge rusher Carter Meadows, four-star offensive tackle Malakai Lee, and several others -- were getting their last look at a school before making their commitments. Official visit weekends usually start on Friday evening and go through Sunday, but it was a little different this year. Arriving in Ann Arbor While most official visit weekends start on Friday evening and go through Sunday, this one started for most on Thursday. Part of it was planned, part of it was due to inclement weather taking place in some regions of the country. So, to play it safe, many made it to campus early -- committed or uncommitted alike. Given that the Wolverines are recruiting a lot of the same regions (Dallas, the DMV), that meant that there were some expanded travel parties, with some outspoken commits getting to take the same flights as uncommitted targets. Wide receiver commit Jaylen Pile was on the same flight as offensive tackle target Zaden Krempin; edge rusher commit Tariq Boney was on the same flight as five-star EDGE target Carter Meadows. So, quite a few of the established class got more time with those who are still considering the maize and blue. The travel parties arrived at the hotel, and the commits then took charge, introducing themselves to everyone, making everyone feel welcome. It was like old friends meeting up, even though all of the current class hadn't even met beforehand -- given that some have recently committed. "We were all like in the ballroom kind of when we walked into the hotel, they had everything kind of set up on that second floor and that's where all the recruiters were," longtime commit Jaylen Pile told WolverinesWire. "All the people were there and it was kind of just cool, seeing all the guys coming in and out, checking in, getting all their stuff, putting it in their room, and then coming back down just to chop it up and seeing everybody and kind of put a face with a name. Because I mean we all, all those commits and all these recruits, we kind of text each other probably on a weekly basis, and finally seeing like that name with a face kind of just made things a lot easier and made us able to start those connections kind of earlier." While the current pledges led the charge, it wasn't just them who got involved in nurturing the environment for those still considering the Wolverines. Families of commits are also taking charge Pile is the second-longest tenured pledge to the 2026 class, so he knows everything that Michigan has to offer. But he's not the only one who's vocal about why Ann Arbor is the best place to play college football. And it's not even the other commits who are pushing, either. In many cases, it's the families. In particular, Pile's family, as well as quarterback commit Brady Smigiel's, have been actively courting the parents of prospects, furthering the ethos of the man at the top of the ladder with the program. "Like Coach Moore said, he doesn't just recruit players, he recruits families, too," Pile said. "And the families recruit the kids the same way, and we and all these parents kind of just saw that this was a safe environment that they could drop their kid off on a random Tuesday during December and not have any second thoughts about it. And they would know that they'll be taken care of, not just by the coaching staff, but by the people around them. And the friends and bonds that they're going to make at Michigan will also be just as strong as the one that he has that the player has with the coaches." In the process, not only are the recruits creating lifelong bonds -- whether or not they all end up in Ann Arbor -- but so are the families. There's an added benefit here: the trust factor. With the players and the families all getting to know each other, they're doing more than just creating friendships. Much like how the 2021 team rebuilt the culture of Michigan football, the parents are coming together and building a culture of their own -- a new family with the entire extended class under one umbrella. The Piles and the Smigiels, and offensive line commit Bear McWhorter's family, all appear to be ringleaders of this movement, but it isn't exclusive to them. It's a growing community that is currently outside of Ann Arbor, but soon will have common (literal) ground in short order. "My parents want me to be around the best, so they're gonna try to get me around the best, and that's all what these people and parents want," Pile said. "They just want the best for their kid and you can really see them taking the step for it and not just kind of sitting back and waiting but actually actively talking to the kids, talking to the parents, creating those relationships like how we, the 2026 commits, have a group chat, all the 2026 parents have a group chat. "So just having those types of bonds and being able to have friends out there like all these kids -- like I said before, coming from different parts of this country and just having like that one kind of central meeting point was good for everybody to really kind of be together. And to have these parents see the type of kids that Michigan recruits and why these Michigan coaches are recruiting their kids so hard, because they see them and view them as Michigan men. And that's just all that we kind of want to show out and show that these families, that we're all these Michigan men that have high character, high standards, and just want to be the best people that we can be and, you know, win." The uncommitted left feeling like they're part of the family There's a growing list of players who know they'll be wearing a winged helmet at this time next year, but, of course, many of the visitors are still trying to decide if it's the best move for them. But this currently committed class isn't making it easy for them to look around. The aforementioned top targets that the Wolverines were working on still have decisions to make, and many will choose their school in the next few weeks or months. They came to Ann Arbor for the official visit, thinking they'd learn more about the program, the university, campus life, and perhaps NIL offers on the table. But most, if not all, left feeling like they were a part of something bigger -- a family. "Well, obviously, you kind of want to dress for the job you want, not the job you have," Pile said. "So having these kids all up there and showing them that this is the type of environment that they're going to be in at all times and make everything easy and friendly for them and seeing how we all treat each other as a family -- even though all the people there weren't commits -- really just kind of showed, and I wanted to put that up front and show, like why being a leader of this class is so important because that's how you get the guys that you see that are those top guys and those ballplayers to be around you. And really get these guys to really buy into what Coach Moore's saying, not just on a football standpoint, but for a life after football standpoint and a friendship point of view." Recruits often say they're looking for a family atmosphere, but the Piles, Smigiels, McWhorters, and more have done a good job of turning that from a concept to a reality. Recent commits who already visited came back to recruit Players like Pile, who have been committed for some time, have been to campus more times than many could count. Most of the official visitors (and their families) have been to campus before at some point in the process, but some more than others. And that includes some of the players who have already taken their official visits. Take McHale Blade, the edge rusher who appeared Notre Dame-bound but committed just days after his official visit to Ann Arbor the weekend of June 6. He made it back to campus for an unofficial visit, not just to bond with this future teammates, but to help add new ones to the class. Alister Vallejo was also considering Notre Dame, but ended up pledging to Michigan football just before his June 13 official visit. He also made it back to campus. It was a good opportunity for the newer pledges to grow closer to players like Pile, who have been touting all things maize and blue for months now. Pile says that he got some extra face time with the unofficial visitors who already had their officials. Strengthening the bonds is one thing, but given that those prospects have already been through the official visit process and made their decision to commit, it gave them a perspective to share to those who are still on the fence about why Michigan is the place to be. "It's always good to see these guys coming back even after official visits, taking those unofficial visits and maybe not going through all the same stuff that they've gone again -- you know, because of the NCAA regulation -- but still being able to see them outside of after all of our schedule stuff and just chilling with them," Pile said. "Like me and Alister played golf when I had a break in my OV schedule since he was on his unofficial. And just creating those connections. Like all these guys, we want to be the best, and we want to recruit the best. So being around those types of guys and seeing how much they want to pour back into the team -- even though they've already done their part and committed -- and just seeing how they want to add more and be better, just really makes everything worthwhile. And I think a lot of the parents and a lot of the other players see that, that they're taking the time to really come back and show other people why they fell in love with this place so much. "And it's just a great feeling, as one of the long-time commits, seeing this class kind of come together, and it's just an amazing feeling." Targeting players at the same position Coming out of the weekend, you could see a lot of unselfishness on display. Whether it was Bryce Underwood hanging out with Brady Smigiel, Jaylen Pile hanging out with Calvin Russell, or Tariq Boney courting Carter Meadows and Julian Walker, everywhere you looked, you saw a current player or a current commit telling someone from the same position group, 'Hey, come be a part of this.' Pile says that the bulk of the class all have the same mentality: iron sharpens iron, competition breeds success. Michigan is a better team if you're on it. "Well, to be quite honest with you, like none of the people that are recruited here are afraid of competition. We've all had to go and take somebody's spot at some point or another during our high school time, middle school time, any type of football, or just in life in general, we've had to take somebody's spot," Pile said. "So just having those elite recruits isn't really scaring us off of our position, and we're not going to be the hater type to try to only save us. "Like we got to start looking at the big picture, like the best is going to play. Coach Moore had us down in the commit meeting. He said, 'I see a lot of you that could possibly play their freshman year. Not all of you, but some of you could play.' And that's just something that keeps us going. Like we're all fighting for a spot, and it's going to be like that in the NFL, and we all want to be at that next level. And this is just a little precursor for it. "And just being around like those top recruit guys and, you know, trying to get them to come to Michigan is never really anything that we do like, 'Oh, we, we don't want you here because that's my position.' Like, no, that's not what they recruited us here for. And that's not what they believe in. And like I said before, he wants Michigan men, and Michigan men don't run from competition. We embrace it, and just having another person at that position that's just as good or even better than you at the time can kind of really push you more." At the moment, Pile is the only wide receiver commit that Michigan has. It would benefit him to be a part of a smaller class at the position, as it could lead to more reps and playing time. But, still, he wants Miami (Fla.) Northwestern five-star wideout Calvin Russell in a winged helmet. In sharing more about Russell's recruitment, Pile notes that they technically wouldn't have the same role with the Wolverines, but he shared some insight as to how Michigan would use both (as well as other receiver targets) at the same time. "Me and Calvin aren't really playing the same position. They kind of talked to him like more as a true X, like big body that could still run routes and take on a lot of the single side stuff as they see me playing more of like the slot and kind of the Z kind of," Pile said. "So Coach Bellamy kind of views me as being able to be like a unicorn that has the body type to go inside and play slot, run all those short routes, block the linebackers, but still be able to go outside and kind of beat press. So that's kind of where they're just talking about putting me in, had a meeting about, positioning, and stuff like that. "So, still a lot of those guys coming in for the same position, but they like to spread us out a lot and anybody can play anywhere. Because we recruit diverse people and not just one-trick ponies. We like having the whole thing. And if you're good, you'll figure out a way on the field, and all of us aren't really worried about that because we know we're going to have our time to play." Thus far, Michigan has gotten one commitment coming out of Victors Weekend, with defensive tackle Titan Davis pledging on Monday evening. The Wolverines have also gotten a prediction that they'll land Carrollton (Ga.) four-star cornerback Dorian Barney following his time in Ann Arbor this weekend. There's still a lot of time to go before signing day, but given the bonds that have been established between the recruits, the parents, and the uncommitted prospects, it's only a matter of time before the class grows.


USA Today
18-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan's defense raves over Bryce Underwood's elite skills in 2025 spring ball
Michigan's defense raves over Bryce Underwood's elite skills in 2025 spring ball DETROIT -- The expectations for Michigan football freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood couldn't be any higher. Though the former five-star shared reps with redshirt freshman Jadyn Davis this spring, all eyes are on the 2025 No. 1 overall recruit as he's expected to win the starting job -- even when Mikey Keene returns from injury. During spring ball, all quarterback conversations that Underwood's teammates had with the media also included Davis and how he was doing. But now that we've gotten to see both in the spring game, Underwood's ability is undeniable. Even the defensive players aren't just singing his praises, they're gushing about his play -- something that could certainly help them out should the offense have more success sustaining drives this season. A former high school quarterback breaks down Underwood's game Michigan junior safety Brandyn Hillman isn't just a defensive standout poised to enter the starting lineup this year, but he was a quarterback at the high school level. Though he no longer plays the position in college, he not only still knows about it, but he is tasked with defending Underwood's throws in practice. He told WolverinesWire (via the Locked On Wolverines Podcast) that he sees a signal caller that is far beyond his years compared to other freshmen or young quarterbacks. "So Bryce, in my opinion -- real polished," Hillman said. "I played quarterback in high school, so it's not like I was out there just running quarterback. You could put on a tape -- I played quarterback. I could look at a quarterback -- Bryce's real polished. He's ahead of the game. Certain quarterbacks, when they get into a college atmosphere, they can't pick up the game because it's moving so fast. Bryce came in day one, it was smooth for him. He got an arm, his eyes, his arm's live. It's just certain things. You got to pick up defensive coverages. Sometimes we move certain coverages to (expletive deleted) his head up, (expletive deleted) like that." Hillman is noting that no matter what Wink Martindale and the defense does, Underwood is learning and improving, understanding that there's a lot he doesn't know. But he appears to innately understand what it takes to play at the college level. Underwood's progress from bowl prep to post-spring ball It's not usual that freshmen start at quarterback and thrive -- and even when they do, it's not usually right out of the gates. Clemson's Trevor Lawrence didn't get to start until Week 5, with Kelly Bryant taking the reins initially. Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa sat behind Jalen Hurts until late in the national championship game his freshman year. Fifth-year defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny thinks that Underwood getting to play against the first-string Michigan defense in spring ball has helped the freshman phenom enormously. "Just within this short little time -- part of it, I think, he already had the ability, but just him seeing it from us on a daily basis and being able to have pocket awareness, I think that's good training and that's what's going to translate into the season," Benny said. "And, when the time comes, he's gonna show that everything was worth it and all the work paid off. He's just locked in on all the details, and he tries to make everything like a learning experience. " But it's not just about being thrown into the fire. Hillman notes that despite Underwood's youth, he's still got a lot to learn. However, the great news is that he has shown that he has the work ethic to thrive, even if it is in year one. "He's young. He's still got to get into the playbook and get into everything, learn everything," Hillman said. "So long as he keeps doing what he got to do now -- because right now he's doing everything that he's supposed to do. I'm not going to say too much what he's supposed to be doing, but he's doing everything right. "And then, just got to keep being him. He's a good kid -- off the field and everything. You won't see Bryce like, 'Oh, I'm the biggest, baddest guy.' It's Bryce. He's a cool guy." Fans will likely get their next opportunity to see Underwood in action on August 30 when Michigan football hosts New Mexico for the 2025 season opener at The Big House.


USA Today
15-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN names Michigan QB Bryce Underwood as top freshman in 2025 college football season
ESPN names Michigan QB Bryce Underwood as top freshman in 2025 college football season Michigan football doesn't have high expectations outside of Ann Arbor. But, if like in 2021, when the Wolverines shocked the college football world by going 12-2 on the season and making it to the College Football Playoff semifinal, Michigan is to get back atop the field, it will need some stellar play on offense. Namely, at quarterback. The good news for the maize and blue is that it will likely be greatly improved at that position, not only because of Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene, but also due to true freshman Bryce Underwood. ESPN is very high on Underwood Underwood comes in as the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class, and after spring ball, he's likely to be the man under center. The aforementioned Keene was injured all spring, allowing Underwood to make a move in a competition that was solely between him and redshirt freshman Jadyn Davis (Davis Warren is still recovering from the leg injury he sustained in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama). ESPN put together a series of lists in its '100 days until Week 0' post, and in the top 10 freshmen to watch, Underwood was the clear No. 1. 1. Bryce Underwood, QB, Michigan: Underwood, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 ESPN 300, shook the sport with his flip from LSU to in-state Michigan 13 days before the early signing period. A four-year starter who threw for 11,488 yards and 152 touchdowns in high school, Underwood is the Wolverines' future under center. Depending on how Fresno State transfer passer Mikey Keene settles in, the gifted, 6-4, 208-pound quarterback could challenge to become the program's present as soon as this fall. It's unlikely that Keene, despite his experience, will have much of a chance to settle in now that Underwood has gotten so much time on task. Perhaps the most talented QB Michigan has ever had Underwood was nearly a unanimous -- though he was the consensus -- No. 1 overall recruit and quarterback in the 2025 class. All but Rivals had Underwood as No. 1 overall, which also meant he was the top signal caller. Rivals had him at No. 3 behind Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis and Ohio State signee Tavien St. Clair. The notorious Connor Stalions coached Underwood during Belleville's 2024 high school playoff run, and after Underwood committed, Stalions told WolverinesWire this about the phenom quarterback: "Anyone can watch Bryce's highlight tape and see the talent, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Don't let his physical traits fool you," Stalions told WolverinesWire. "Bryce is a reassuring example of how hard work and complete dedication to perfecting one's craft separates the good from the great. "First guy there, last guy to leave. Wins every sprint in practice. Treats every single rep like his life depends on it. When he's not on the field or working out, he's studying the game. Never satisfied. Always looking for ways to improve. Always getting extra work in. He didn't get to where he is by accident. He's ALL about football. He's only 17, so he has plenty of room to continue to grow, but Bryce already conducts himself like a professional. And every kid who looks up to him needs to understand that his work ethic is what got him to where he is. You can achieve what you want to if you relentlessly put in the work." From what was seen in the spring game, despite the 12-for-26, 187-yard performance, Underwood has talent commensurate with that of J.J. McCarthy in his late sophomore-early junior seasons. Given that there's a low water mark for Michigan football single-season passing (3,331 yards, set by John Navarre in 2003), while it's unlikely Underwood hits that number in his freshman year, he could attain that by the end of his college career. But for this season, given that the Wolverines had the fourth-worst passing attack in college football (ahead of only three service academies) it would stand to reason that even as a true freshman, he would be a big upgrade. Michigan is set to have whoever is under center starting on August 30 when the Wolverines host New Mexico for the season opener.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Elite 2026 OL John Turntine III sets Michigan football official visit
Michigan football recruiting has picked up but it hasn't necessarily resulted in pledges just yet. However, the vast majority of the players that the Wolverines want remain on the board, and we're starting to see many set official visits for late spring and the summer. Though it appears as if the maize and blue will lose the Jackson Cantwell sweepstakes at offensive tackle, another prospect -- seen not too long ago as a longshot -- has emerged. 2026 Fort Worth (Tx.) North Crowley five-star offensive tacklke John Turntine III has started to turn up his interest in the Wolverines and now has set up an official visit to Ann Arbor for May 30 after offensive line caoch Grant Newsome visited him in-home this week. Turntine is rated the No. 31 player overall according to the 247Sports Composite, regardless of position. The Wolverines had a solid offensive line class in 2025 with five-star Andrew Babalola and four-star Ty Haywood both signing to the class. At the moment, Michigan has one offensive lineman committed in Georgia-based pledge Bear McWhorter, who turned his back on childhood favorite Alabama for the maize and blue. Advertisement At the moment, Texas is the perceived favorite for Turntine, but the Wolverines just got a high-level Texas-based OL prospect in Haywood, so a push on the visit could turn things around. For now, Michigan will host a cadre of recruits for the annual spring game. set for Saturday at noon at The Big House. This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: John Turntine III sets official visit to Michigan football