Michigan has jumped into the race for one of the Class of 2028’s most intriguing defensive prospects, offering Kirksville High School standout Blake Nesbitt.
Nesbitt, a Missouri product listed at 6-3 and 210 to 220 pounds, has the kind of frame that turns heads right away. He looks built for the modern linebacker role: big enough to handle the run, athletic enough to move in space, and versatile enough to stay on the field in all three downs.
What makes him especially appealing is how quickly he processes the game. On film, Nesbitt reads plays fast, tracks the ball well through traffic, and attacks gaps with explosive force.
He brings a violent finish to tackles and uses his length to keep blockers from getting into his chest and controlling him. That combination makes him a real problem in run defense.
His background only adds to the appeal. Nesbitt is a multi-sport athlete at Kirksville and also contributes on varsity basketball.
He’s a two-way star at tight end, where he has shown soft hands and strong spatial awareness. That offensive experience matters on defense, too.
It gives him a better feel for route concepts and helps him when he drops into zone coverage, where he can clog throwing lanes and use his ball skills to create turnovers.
Michigan’s interest also fits the kind of player the program has traditionally valued. The Wolverines want smart, tough, relentless front-seven defenders, and Nesbitt’s high football IQ and blue-collar work ethic line up with that profile. He plays with a strong motor and the kind of competitive fire that coaches love.
The offer puts Michigan in the mix with Oklahoma, Iowa, and Missouri, all of whom are working to keep the in-state standout closer to home. For now, though, the Wolverines have made their move on a player they believe can become a centerpiece in the middle of their defense down the line.
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