Recruiting Roundup: Michigan Making Early Waves With 2027 Targets as Dead Period Begins
The recruiting calendar just flipped to a key phase: the NCAA dead period. From now until March 2, college coaches can’t host recruits on campus or visit them in person.
But don’t mistake that for a lull in action - the groundwork laid before this stretch can shape entire classes. And Michigan’s staff has been busy.
Let’s take a closer look at three rising 2027 prospects who are firmly on the Wolverines’ radar - and who could be cornerstones of the program’s future if things continue trending in this direction.
Broncs Baker: A Linebacker With an Edge - and a Love for the Rivalry
Michigan’s new linebackers coach Alex Whittingham wasted no time getting involved on the trail, and one of his first major moves was extending an offer to four-star linebacker Broncs Baker out of Utah. It’s safe to say the offer hit home.
“I was pretty excited,” Baker said after the conversation. “Coach Whitt is a legend around here and is all about toughness, so I was pretty excited. Definitely interested in Michigan.”
That toughness? It’s something Baker clearly takes pride in - and it aligns well with what Michigan’s defense is all about. He described his game as built on “violence and speed,” and that’s exactly the kind of edge that can make a linebacker a star in the Big Ten.
The Wolverines instantly jumped into Baker’s top group, and he’s already eyeing a spring visit to Ann Arbor. If that happens, don’t be surprised if he becomes one of the program’s top linebacker priorities in the 2027 class.
And here’s where it gets even more interesting: Baker’s family doesn’t just watch the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry - they celebrate it.
“Michigan vs. Ohio State is a holiday in my house,” he said.
“Bigger than any Super Bowl. The brand Michigan is massive.
Huge for me and my recruiting.”
That kind of connection to the rivalry - before even stepping foot on campus - is rare. If Michigan keeps pushing, this could be a natural fit.
Jeremiah Williams: A Versatile Big Man With a Mean Streak
Another 2027 name to circle is Jeremiah Williams, a four-star defensive lineman from Tustin, California. He’s a 311-pound wrecking ball who’s already drawing serious interest from the Wolverines - and he’s taking notice.
“What stood out was how bad they truly wanted me out there with them,” Williams said. “Truly praying that I could come out there and play with them when they play that red team - which is ‘the opps,’ they say - Ohio State.”
That message stuck with him. And it’s clear Michigan sees Williams as more than just a space-eater up front. They’re pitching him on his explosiveness and versatility - traits that have become hallmarks of elite defensive linemen in Ann Arbor.
“They say I’m very explosive,” Williams said. “I play like a lot of the D-tackles that came through that school. They say I fit the criteria, and they know they can make me a better athlete - and I truly believe that they can.”
Oh, and don’t rule out some two-way action. Williams has dabbled at fullback, and Michigan’s staff is intrigued by the idea of letting him get a few reps in the backfield. That kind of creativity is a good sign that the Wolverines are serious about what he brings to the table.
Williams currently lists Michigan among his top schools, alongside BYU, Miami, UCLA, and Arizona State.
Jackson Roper: A Familiar Face for Michigan’s New O-Line Coach
Michigan’s new offensive line coach, Jim Harding, didn’t have to start from scratch with four-star lineman Jackson Roper - the two already had a connection from Harding’s time at Utah. Now, Harding is making sure that relationship carries over to his new job in Ann Arbor.
“I knew coach Harding from his previous spot at Utah,” Roper said. “I really liked him and coach (Kyle) Whittingham. What stood out this time was the confidence he has about being able to straighten the ship at Michigan after what happened with the previous staff.”
That confidence - and Harding’s decision to visit Roper in Colorado - made a strong impression.
“He could’ve been a lot of places on Tuesday, but he was in Colorado talking with me and my teammates,” Roper said. “That meant a lot to me.”
Roper has already made stops at Oregon and Texas A&M this winter, with a trip to Arizona State on the docket. But Michigan is firmly in the mix, and he’s set to visit Ann Arbor next month.
“We’re really early in the process, but I can’t wait to get on campus and learn what it means to be a Michigan man!” he said.
Final Thoughts
With the dead period now in effect, Michigan’s coaching staff has done what it needed to do - lay the groundwork. From coast to coast, they’ve made early impressions on some of the nation’s top 2027 talent, and the message is clear: the Wolverines aren’t slowing down.
Broncs Baker brings the mentality. Jeremiah Williams brings the power and versatility.
Jackson Roper brings the size and familiarity. All three bring something that fits Michigan’s identity - and if visits go as planned this spring, the Wolverines could be setting themselves up for another elite class down the road.
Recruiting never really stops. It just changes pace. And right now, Michigan is running strong.