Michigan is making early noise on a pair of 2028 defensive backs, and one of them already looks like a serious in-state battle.
The Wolverines picked up a prediction this week for Saline standout Marquis Ray, a legacy recruit who has quickly become one of the more interesting names on Michigan’s board. Ray, the No. 624 overall prospect and No. 30 safety in the Rivals Industry Rankings, earned his offer after camping in Ann Arbor in June and has since emerged as a strong fit for the Wolverines.
On3’s Ethan McDowell and Rivals national insider Allen Trieu both logged predictions for Michigan, with McDowell putting his confidence at 70 percent. Ray’s connection to the program runs deep: his father, Marcus, played for the Wolverines, and former Michigan star Mike Sainristil has served as a mentor.
Ray said earlier this summer, “I’m feeling pumped up,” Ray told McDowell earlier this summer. “I put in the work today, put in the work the whole week, prepared for it and I was satisfied with the outcome. Still have more work to do, but it was a great camp today and I’m satisfied.”
He’s already set to be back in Ann Arbor on Sept. 5 for the opener against Western Michigan, and he could return the following week for Oklahoma. Ray has mentioned January as a possible commitment timeline, but right now Michigan appears to be the team setting the pace.
Another defensive back target, Kinnard Mahomes, will get his first look at the program that same day. The Baltimore (Md.)
Mount Saint Joseph four-star, ranked No. 320 overall, has called Michigan his “dream school” and will visit Ann Arbor on Sept. 5.
Michigan offered Mahomes in June, and the Wolverines are already in the mix with Notre Dame, Penn State, Oregon and Tennessee. He also has visits lined up for Indiana, Notre Dame and Virginia Tech.
The Wolverines’ 2028 board isn’t limited to the secondary, either. Michigan recently offered five-star defensive lineman Jameer Whyce, the No. 30 overall recruit in the country and an Ohio State commit since last October.
Whyce, an Ohio native, has added LSU, Notre Dame and now Michigan since pledging to the Buckeyes, though 247Sports reported there’s been no sign he’s interested in moving on from Ohio State. That makes this more of a long shot than a flip watch, but it’s still notable that Michigan is taking aim at one of its biggest rival’s top commitments.
Michigan also has more visitors on the way this fall. Quarterback Carter Zingelmann, the No. 158 overall recruit, plans to make a game-day visit, and linebacker Brayden Bonik, the No. 116 overall prospect, is expected for the Penn State game in October.
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