Michigan is set to get another look at one of the biggest names on its 2028 board this weekend, and the timing matters. Five-star Cass Tech offensive lineman Antijuan Wilkes Jr. is expected back in Ann Arbor for Saturday’s game against Iowa, according to On3’s Ethan McDowell ($), giving the Wolverines a second shot at him in just three weekends.
That kind of repeat visit says plenty on its own. Wilkes, a 6-foot-5, 265-pound lineman, was already in town earlier this month when Michigan knocked off Oklahoma, and the Wolverines appear to have made a real move in a recruitment that also includes Ohio State, Texas A&M, Alabama, Miami, Georgia and Oregon. He was at Texas A&M last weekend, too.
After that earlier trip to Michigan, Wilkes sounded genuinely impressed.
“Honestly everything was great, environment to the coaching, everything was just the best,” Wilkes told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong ($) following his last Michigan visit for the Oklahoma game two weeks ago. “… It’s my hometown and the guys treat me right. Just everything stands out for Michigan.”
What makes this weekend even more notable is that Wilkes had originally been planning to visit Georgia. Instead, Michigan is bringing him back to campus, and the Wolverines seem to be making every effort to keep the No. 11 overall prospect and No. 1 player in Michigan close to home.
Wilkes is the headliner, but he won’t be the only 2028 target in the building if things come together the way Michigan wants. Rivals’ Wiltfong reported the staff is trying to land high school teammates Major Stokes and Mataio Fano on campus as well. Stokes checks in at No. 63 overall and No. 10 among edge rushers in the Rivals Industry Rankings, while Fano is No. 146 overall and No. 18 among offensive tackles.
Another name to keep an eye on is Aedyn Havili. The No. 54 overall prospect and No. 7 defensive lineman in the country had previously said he planned to attend the Iowa game after missing the Oklahoma weekend, though Wiltfong reported that visit was not fully locked in.
Michigan is also expecting a couple more in-state 2028 prospects back, including four-star defensive back LaMarcus Army and three-star wide receiver Tyler Trusel.
The weekend could also bring a solid showing of future Wolverines from the 2027 class. Among the commits expected on campus are quarterback Kamden Lopati, running back Lundon Hampton, safety Tavares Harrington, offensive tackle Jakari Lipsey, linebacker Fredderick Ford, and offensive linemen Lincoln Mageo and Louis Esposito.
Michigan’s 2028 board won’t stop there. Next month, the Wolverines are scheduled to host four-star running back Xander Edwards for his first trip to Ann Arbor. Edwards, who plays at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, is a 6-foot-1, 205-pound back ranked No. 116 overall and No. 7 at his position in the Rivals Industry Ranking.
His visit is set for Oct. 24, when Michigan faces Indiana, and running backs coach Tony Alford has clearly made him a priority.
“He’s been texting me nonstop,” Edwards told On3’s McDowell ($). “He’s been sending me good luck before the game just to keep building that relationship, and he’s an awesome guy.
I really, really respect him. He’s showing me good love, so I’m going to show love back to him.”
Michigan has also made its message to Edwards pretty direct.
“They’ve been telling me I’m their top guy, that they want me to become a Wolverine,” Edwards told McDowell. “That just means a lot to me, that they believe in me.”
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