Michigan’s recruiting board keeps moving, and a few of the Wolverines’ key targets are starting to lock in visits as the season rolls on.
One of the biggest names in the 2028 class is four-star quarterback Carter Zingelmann, who is set to be in Ann Arbor for the UTEP game on Saturday, Sept. 19. Zingelmann, the No. 159 player in his class, plays at Coppell High School in Coppell, Texas, and he’s already showing real interest in Michigan’s pitch.
“I definitely believe in them,” he told On3’s Ethan McDowell ($). “I also love their staff. Also, I’m excited to watch some great football.”
Michigan is still in the mix with several other schools as well, including South Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee, Oklahoma State and TCU. The Wolverines are also trying to get five-star Georgia commit Jayden Wade on campus for the Oklahoma game this weekend, while three-star JJ Howard is lined up to visit for the Iowa game on September 26th.
On the wide receiver side, Michigan has some traction with in-state 2028 four-star Mylan Griggs, a Cass Tech standout who is ranked No. 262 in his class. The Wolverines are pushing hard for him, and Griggs has taken notice of the way wide receivers coach Micah Simon handles his group.
“He makes sure you know what you’re doing and you’re focused, you’re on point,” Griggs told On3’s Ethan McDowell ($), referencing Michigan wide receivers coach Micah Simon.
Griggs is narrowing things down, and Michigan is among the schools still in the hunt. Missouri, Texas A&M, Nebraska, Miami, Michigan State, Illinois and Kentucky are also in the picture. For Griggs, the decision is about more than football.
“I need mentors,” Griggs said. “I need people that are going to show me more than football and people that are going to just be around me for the count. You know when somebody’s got your back, and I need people that have my back.”
No visit date has been set yet, but he does want to get to Ann Arbor soon.
“Gotta get on that official visit real soon,” he said.
Michigan is also keeping tabs on a fascinating 2027 defensive line prospect in Amanaki Henoa, who currently attends Layton Christian Academy in Utah but spent most of his life in New Zealand playing rugby. He’s about to play his first season of football as a high school senior, and the Wolverines are still involved despite how new he is to the sport.
“I had to do my research, and people were saying, ‘Man, you don’t know who Michigan is?’” Henoa told On3’s Ethan McDowell ($). “Yeah, I had to do a lot of research.”
Henoa has already drawn attention from major programs even without a football background, but he knows the learning curve is still steep.
“I think I’m just trying my best to dominate everyone’s run game, but I still need a lot of work,” he said. “It’s my first time playing football, so I’m going to need all the help I can get from my coaches.”
Even with everything still so new, he sounds pretty open to the idea of ending up in Ann Arbor.
“I’m not sure if I’m going to get a bigger school than Michigan, so I think my best option is just to commit,” Henoa added.
It’ll be worth watching how Henoa develops once his first season gets going, and Michigan will be part of that story from the start.
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Michigan Just Built Recruiting Momentum With Priority Future Targets
A recent game day at Michigan Stadium doubled as a recruiting showcase, with several 2027 and 2028 football prospects making the trip to Ann Arbor to see the Wolverines up close. For a staff that has made long-term talent acquisition a point of emphasis, getting priority future targets on campus and around the program is part of the steady work that can shape a class years before signing day arrives. Some of the visitors already held offers, while others came away with fresh ones, and the early impression was clearly a positive one.
The bigger takeaway is not just that the visits went well, but that Michigan is already building relationships with a group of prospects who could become key names down the road. Recruits, trainers and recruiters all described encouraging conversations and strong reactions to the atmosphere, which is exactly the kind of momentum a program wants when it is trying to stay ahead in the race for younger targets. The process is still early, but the Wolverines have clearly given these prospects something to remember, and something to think about the next time they look at their future options. [Read more 🡒]
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The controversy centered on the final sequence, when the broadcast clock showed zero before replay officials restored one second using a synchronized system, setting up Michigans winning touchdown. Officials and conference representatives said the replay process was handled correctly, and Western Michigans president acknowledged the clock difference without seeing unfairness, but the bigger issue lingers for plenty of fans who want the same clarity the officials are working from. [Read more 🡒]
Former Wolverine Adds Real Emotion To Oklahoma's Michigan Return
Cole Sullivans return to Michigan comes with a little extra weight this week, even if hes trying not to let it change the way he approaches the game. The Oklahoma linebacker spent time in Ann Arbor before transferring, and ahead of the Sooners trip back to face his former team, he made clear he understands the emotional side of the matchup while keeping the focus on preparation.
Sullivan also had a few things to say about the Wolverines recent win, which only adds to the layers around this reunion. He even stepped in to defend Oklahoma quarterback Bryce Underwood from criticism, a reminder that this is more than just a homecoming for one former Wolverine - its a game carrying plenty of personal and public scrutiny on both sides. [Read more 🡒]