As the recruiting dead period comes to an end, the focus shifts back to recruiting in Michigan football. Under the leadership of Sherrone Moore, recruiting has become a primary topic among fans. There’s a widespread belief that Moore’s aggressive approach will improve recruiting, but its impact remains to be seen.
NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) is still a significant unknown for the Wolverines. While Michigan football appears to have enhanced its NIL efforts, it’s uncertain how this will influence recruits, as most of the focus has been on retaining current players rather than attracting new ones. Coach Moore recognizes the importance of NIL in modern recruiting, so hopefully, positive changes will emerge in this area.
Despite recently being excluded from David Sanders’ top six, Michigan continues to pursue multiple other five-star recruits. Let’s take a look at some five-star prospects actively sought by Michigan and assess the Wolverines’ current standing:
1. Safety DJ Pickett (FL)
Pickett’s recruitment is shaping up to be one of the most significant of the 2025 cycle. Ranked as the #1 safety in the country, he hails from Florida. Pickett recently announced a top five list featuring Michigan, Georgia, Oregon, LSU, and Miami. Initially, this may seem challenging for Michigan, as the other schools are known for their NIL programs.
However, Michigan has a unique connection with Pickett. He has family in the Detroit area, and his mother is an alumna of Michigan. While losing Steve Clinkscale was a setback for Michigan, new defensive backs coach Lamar Morgan is undoubtedly working hard to establish a relationship with Pickett.
If Morgan succeeds in building that connection, Michigan should be in a strong position with Pickett. While it’s still early, Michigan appears to be in a favorable position.
