Michigan football spent halftime of its game against UTEP doing what it has been doing more and more this cycle: rolling out the welcome mat for some of its biggest 2028 and 2029 targets.
The quarterback board remains the cleanest place to start. Over the last few weeks, the picture has sharpened around a couple of names, especially after Georgia commit Jayden Wade has continued to look locked in down south and four-star Tristin Hughes, who was expected to be at the game, did not make it.
That has pushed Michigan’s focus toward four-star Carter Zinglemann of Coppell, Texas, who is making his first trip to Ann Arbor. Quarterbacks coach Koy Detmer Jr. has put a heavy emphasis on the 6-foot-4.5, 218-pound prospect, and this weekend gives the staff a real shot to make a move.
Zinglemann was seen heading out of the tunnel for warmups with 2028 linebacker Jet Thomas, another Texas prospect who fits into the bigger recruiting picture around the game. SMU has hosted Zinglemann the most since March, and he also comes in after a trip to Oklahoma State to see the win over Oregon.
If Michigan does not land him, the other quarterback names to keep close are three-star JJ Howard and four-star Hunter Fujikawa. Howard is set to return for the Iowa game next weekend, while Fujikawa picked up an offer from the Wolverines on Wednesday.
Fujikawa’s connection to the staff goes back to last year, when the current coaches were still at Utah.
Michigan also had an offered quarterback from the 2029 class on campus in Saline High’s Case Campbell. Campbell, the son of 1997 national champion Mark Campbell, was at the game as well.
He is also the teammate of 2027 offensive lineman commit Louis Esposito. Campbell first made his way to Schembechler Hall after the new staff arrived a few months ago to watch spring camp, and Detmer offered him then.
His early interest in Michigan is tied not just to the program, but also to his friendship with Tommy Carr and his growing relationship with Detmer and offensive coordinator Jason Beck.
There was plenty of defensive interest in the building too. Michigan had two offered 2028 linebackers on hand at the same time, continuing a pattern from the opener, when four-stars Jay Schell and Camden Noe visited together.
This time it was Thomas and four-star Skylar Alston. Thomas, who was first offered by Michigan, stood out as a downhill presence - a true thumper who plays with force and flies around the field.
He is also active on social media and regularly shows love to the Wolverines.
Alston, a Raleigh, North Carolina native, was making his first visit to Michigan. Auburn, Penn State, UNC and Rutgers are also involved, and he remains a name to watch as the process moves along.
The in-state group got its share of attention too. Two more offered Michigan prospects were seen on the midfield logo alongside 2027 running back commit Lundon Hampton: 2028 Harper Woods athlete AJ Henley and four-star Cass Tech wide receiver Mylan Griggs.
Henley, a former teammate of Jacob Oden, could end up at wide receiver or tight end. He scored a touchdown in Harper Woods’ shutout win on Friday and lined up in multiple spots, including in-line and in the slot.
Micah Simon has been the coach in closest contact with Henley so far.
Griggs’ recruitment has taken off since the offseason, when several standout camp performances caused his offer sheet to blow up. Michigan and Simon have kept their interest high, and that interest is being returned. For now, the Wolverines remain a contender for both players as their recruitments continue to develop.
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Michigan Fans May Need To Rethink Pregame Plans For UTEP
Michigan fans headed to Saturdays game against UTEP may want to keep one eye on the forecast and another on Michigan Athletics social feeds. University and public safety officials are monitoring weather conditions that could affect the normal pregame routine, including when gates open and how easily fans can get into parking areas around the stadium.
With the No. 19 Wolverines already 2-0, the on-field focus remains on staying sharp in a nonconference tuneup. But for everyone planning to make a day of it, the bigger question is whether the usual arrival plan will hold up, and the school is urging fans to stay put in safe locations if openings are delayed and to keep checking official updates before heading over. [Read more 🡒]
Bryce Underwood Is Giving Michigan Fans Real Hope And One Big Debate
Michigans win over No. 11 Oklahoma did more than add another marquee result to the rsum, it put Bryce Underwood back at the center of the national conversation. The freshman quarterback drew praise from head coach Kyle Whittingham for the way he handled the game plan, and even a former rivals coach in Urban Meyer came away impressed by his athleticism. For a program that has spent plenty of time proving itself on the big stage, Underwoods early presence is giving the fan base something it has been eager to latch onto.
The bigger question now is how much of that promise can hold up when the spotlight stays on and the schedule gets less forgiving. Analyst Josh Pate said the Oklahoma win still left him unsure about Michigans consistency, which is the kind of follow-up debate a good September victory always seems to create. For the Wolverines, the appeal is obvious: Underwood looks like the kind of quarterback who can elevate everything around him, but the real test is whether the team can keep matching that standard week after week. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Is Building Real Momentum For An In-State Five-Star Flip
Michigan keeps pressing for one of the top in-state targets on its board, and five-star wide receiver Dakota Guerrant is very much in the middle of that effort. The Oregon commit recently made it back to campus to watch a game, and he came away with a positive impression of the offense, another encouraging sign for a staff that has stayed engaged throughout his recruitment.
Position coach Micah Simon has remained in regular contact with Guerrant as Michigan works to keep its foot on the gas. For now, the receiver is still locked in on his high school season, but the Wolverines clearly have built enough traction to make this one worth watching as the next stretch of recruiting develops. [Read more 🡒]