Michigan’s June recruiting surge has hit a rough stretch, and another major target appears to be slipping away.
The Wolverines did land a nice pickup last week in four-star linebacker Frederrick Ford, but that win has been offset by a run of losses and shaky outlooks on several bigger names. Five-star wide receiver Dakota Guerrant, a key in-state target, chose Oregon.
Four-star tight end Anthony Cartwright also went to Oregon, while three-star wide receiver Damani Warren, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound receiver, committed to Texas A&M. Warren would have been an especially useful fallback after Michigan missed on Guerrant.
The bad news may not be done. Confidence is fading around five-star cornerback Joshua Dobson, and it feels like Texas A&M is in position to land him when he makes his decision Wednesday.
Now another top target is trending the wrong way. Four-star defensive lineman Seth Tillman, who took an official visit to Michigan this month, is being projected to Clemson in the 2027 class. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Rock Hill, South Carolina native is ranked No. 133 overall in the 2027 cycle by Rivals, and Ethan McDowell of The Wolverine has logged a prediction for Clemson.
That aligns with projections from Rivals national reporters Steve Wiltfong and Chad Simmons, giving the Tigers a 93 percent chance to land Tillman. The crystal balls are also favoring Clemson.
Michigan had hoped its official visit would help swing the momentum, but Clemson and Georgia were both in the hunt, and the Wolverines have again watched the race tilt away after what looked like a promising push.
Tillman is expected to announce July 11, the same day four-star offensive lineman Lincoln Mageo is set to make his decision. That gives Michigan a small window to try to change the story.
The Wolverines do already have Xavier Muhammad committed in the 2027 class, and he looks like a strong up-front piece. Still, Tillman would be another big addition - a dominant pass rusher who could have fit well with players like Carter Meadows and Nate Marshall down the line.
For now, though, Michigan has work to do if it wants this one to turn back in its favor.
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Mike Boynton has been named Michigans interim coach in the wake of Mays departure, but the larger backdrop is what made this opening feel so sudden in the first place. May had agreed to a Michigan extension, but it was never signed, and the timing left just enough room for the NBA door to swing open when Dallas came calling. [Read more 🡒]