Michigan’s recruiting board keeps getting a little more interesting, and this week the Wolverines appear to have made real headway with a pair of 2028 prospects while also extending a fresh offer to a rising 2027 lineman.
The biggest buzz centers on four-star edge rusher Asa Burch, a legacy name in Michigan’s orbit and one of the program’s top targets in the 2028 class. Burch, who is the son of former Michigan defensive back Alfie Burch, took a two-day trip to Ann Arbor in June and also visited in April.
Both stops clearly mattered. Late last week, Rivals’ Allen Trieu and On3’s Ethan McDowell ($) each predicted the 6-foot-5, 220-pound defender from Warren, Ohio will eventually commit to Michigan.
Burch has built a strong connection with defensive ends coach Lewis Powell, who has taken the lead in his recruitment.
“He just loves his players like they’re his family or sons,” Burch said. “That means a lot to me.
I love how he holds himself. He’s a great coach.”
Burch still has a long road ahead before the 2028 class reaches signing day, and he holds offers from Penn State, Notre Dame, Ohio State and others. Even so, Michigan has clearly done the early work to put itself in front.
The Wolverines also jumped into the mix for 2027 defensive tackle Amanaki Henoa, a 6-foot-4, 310-pound prospect with a unique path to football. Henoa started out as a rugby player in New Zealand before moving to Oregon last year with hopes of playing college football.
That plan hit a snag when the Oregon School Activities Association denied him eligibility, leaving him to practice and train but not play in games last season. He has since transferred to Lake Christian Academy in Layton, Utah, where he expects to play his one and only year of high school football before moving on to the next level.
For Henoa, Michigan’s offer carried obvious weight.
“My high school coach, Ray Stowers (been in communication with) coach Lewis Powell and let’s just say I passed the eye test (for them),” Henoa said. “I couldn’t believe my first offer ever is from Michigan. I still can’t believe it.”
Powell is again the key figure here, and Henoa said the coach’s approach stood out right away.
“Coach Powell is a great man,” he said. “He has a talent to see potential in kids who are under the radar and I’m blessed to be one of the one kids. We also talked about my background and where I came from.
“It means a lot, especially Michigan being my first offer ever. It’s crazy.
I still can’t believe it. This offer is putting together my story and journey.”
Henoa plans to visit Ann Arbor for a game this fall.
Michigan’s quarterback recruiting also got a boost in the 2028 class, where Tristin Gaines remains one of the more intriguing dual-threat names. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound quarterback from Waller, Texas put together a strong sophomore season, completing 110 of 177 passes for 2,016 yards and 22 touchdowns while adding 542 rushing yards and nine more scores.
Gaines picked up his Michigan offer from quarterbacks coach Koy Detmer Jr. in May, and he recently spoke with On3’s McDowell ($) about the relationship. Gaines said Detmer appreciates both his athleticism and the way he carries himself.
“He likes my athletic ability, the way I spin the ball and then he also likes my my character,” Gaines said. “… He keeps it real with me.
He told me they’re not going to kiss no butt to nobody. Everywhere they went, they won so far.
I like the way he coaches. I’m going up there this fall, most likely, so I’m looking forward to that.”
Gaines isn’t close to making a decision. He said he wants to get through his junior season first and is looking for a school that makes him feel like a priority and has a clear development plan.
“I want to know they want me, make me a priority to them,” Gaines said. “Also, my development there, my plan there. That’s probably the big three things that I’m looking forward to.”
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