Michigan is gearing up for an exciting recruitment period, as they prepare to host Salem Hills (Utah) junior safety-wide receiver Peyton Higginson. The Wolverines are set to welcome Higginson for their spring game on April 18, followed by an official visit on May 29.
Standing at 6-3 and weighing 185 pounds, Higginson is a versatile athlete who excels on both sides of the ball. While his receiving skills are noteworthy, it's his defensive prowess that has caught Michigan's eye.
Last season, he racked up 81 tackles, with 65 of them solo, and snagged three interceptions. This kind of performance is exactly what Michigan's defensive coordinator, Jay Hill, is looking for.
Hill, who previously extended an offer to Higginson while at BYU, has maintained a strong relationship with him. "Coach Hill has been fantastic throughout this process," Higginson shared.
"When he moved to Michigan, he reached out and made sure I knew I was still on his radar. His visit to my home and offer from Michigan meant a lot."
Higginson's recruitment journey started early with Utah, and several coaches he met there have since joined the Wolverines' staff in Ann Arbor. "I got to know Coach Micah Simon and Coach Lewis Powell during my time being recruited by Utah," Higginson explained. "Coach Ali’i Niumatalolo was the first to see my potential, which really stuck with me."
Despite Michigan not initially being on Higginson's radar, the connections he's built with the coaching staff have piqued his interest. Now, he's eager to visit the campus and get a feel for the program and the town.
"I've never been to Michigan, but I'm open to moving for college and football," he said. "With a potential two-year LDS mission on the horizon, relocating doesn't faze me, especially for a program like Michigan."
Higginson has been busy with visits, recently stopping by Oregon State, and has plans to check out BYU, Utah, Utah State, UCLA, and Colorado State. His recruitment has been largely focused on the west, but Michigan's strong relationships could sway him towards the Midwest.
"I'm enjoying the process, but I know it will be a bit stressful to narrow things down," he admitted. "I aim to choose a school by July or August, before my senior year starts. My goal is to find a program where I can develop and get on the field early."
Rivals currently ranks Higginson as the No. 50 athlete nationally and the No. 14 junior in Utah.
In other recruitment news, Belleville wide receiver Charles Britton III is also scheduled for a visit to Michigan on April 7. The Wolverines are in a competitive race with Missouri, Oklahoma, and Alabama for Britton, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound talent known for his quickness and route-running skills. Britton has the added connection of having played with current Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood during his freshman and sophomore years.