California Star Isala Aisa Wily-Ava Puts Michigan in Top Three, Sets Spring Game Visit
The offseason might be in full swing, but for Michigan football’s coaching staff, the grind hasn’t stopped. With a new regime in place, the Wolverines are hitting the recruiting trail hard-and wide.
Coast to coast, they’re targeting elite high school talent to reload a roster that’s built its identity on physicality, discipline, and top-tier development. One name that’s quickly climbed to the top of Michigan’s 2027 recruiting board: Isala Aisa Wily-Ava.
The Bellflower (CA) St. John Bosco standout is one of the most sought-after defensive backs in the country, and he’s now officially narrowed his list of top schools to three-with Michigan firmly in the mix.
Building the Bridge from Bosco to the Big Ten
Wily-Ava’s inclusion of Michigan in his top three is no small development. St.
John Bosco is a powerhouse program, consistently churning out college-and NFL-ready talent. And while the Wolverines have never landed a player directly from Bosco, that could change soon thanks to the efforts of defensive ends coach Lewis Powell.
Powell recently made the trip to Southern California to meet with Wily-Ava, and that visit left a strong impression.
“Our talk was great,” Wily-Ava said. “Coach Powell is a great person. He was saying how he sees me playing in their defense and how the Michigan environment can help me accomplish life-long goals.”
That kind of connection isn’t just about Xs and Os-it’s about vision, culture, and fit. And for Wily-Ava, Michigan’s message appears to be resonating.
Spring Game Visit Locked In
While Wily-Ava is sitting on nearly 30 scholarship offers, he’s already taken a major step toward figuring out where he fits best. He’s locked in a visit to Ann Arbor for Michigan’s annual Maize and Blue Spring Game on April 18-his first-ever trip to campus.
For a recruit of his caliber, that’s a significant move. The spring game isn’t just a scrimmage-it’s a showcase of the program’s identity.
From the energy in The Big House to the way coaches interact with players, it’s a full-throttle glimpse into life as a Wolverine. And for Wily-Ava, the family-oriented culture Michigan is pushing has already made an impact.
The Scouting Report: Versatility and Violence
Wily-Ava isn’t just another name on a list. He’s a game-changer.
At 6-foot-3 and 208 pounds, he’s already got the size to make a difference in college, and his tape backs it up. He’s rangy, instinctive, and fearless-traits that show up whether he’s patrolling center field as a safety or coming downhill to lay the wood.
Last season, he set a St. John Bosco school record with seven interceptions-no small feat at a program that regularly faces top-tier competition. That performance earned him MaxPreps Sophomore All-American honors and helped lead a defense that finished the year ranked No. 2 in the state.
Some scouts believe he could eventually transition into a linebacker role at the next level, thanks to his frame and athleticism. Whether he stays in the secondary or moves closer to the line of scrimmage, Wily-Ava brings the kind of versatility that modern defenses covet.
Recruiting Landscape: Wolverines in the Thick of It
Michigan’s in the top three, but the race is far from over.
Programs like Washington, Oregon, USC, Ohio State, and Texas are all heavily involved. Washington, in particular, has already picked up a Crystal Ball prediction from recruiting analysts. But Wily-Ava has made it clear-his recruitment is still wide open.
That said, Michigan is making a serious push. With a confirmed visit and a growing relationship with the new staff under head coach Kyle Whittingham, the Wolverines are positioning themselves to make a historic move.
They’ve never signed a player directly out of St. John Bosco, but Wily-Ava could be the one to break that trend.
What’s Next?
April 18 is now circled on the calendar-for both Wily-Ava and Michigan fans.
The visit will offer him a front-row seat to the Wolverines’ revamped identity under Whittingham, and give the coaching staff a golden opportunity to make their case in person. If the connection continues to build, Michigan could be looking at a foundational piece for its 2027 secondary.
For now, the Wolverines are in the fight-and they’re swinging with purpose.