Michigan’s weekend on the recruiting trail brought a little bit of everything: a legacy loss to a rival, a key commitment reaffirmed, and a visiting linebacker who left Ann Arbor with Michigan climbing his list.
The toughest news came first. Asa Burch, a 2028 four-star edge rusher and the son of former Michigan defensive back Alfie Burch, announced Saturday that he is headed to Notre Dame.
That one stings for the Wolverines on multiple levels. Burch had been projected toward Michigan by Crystal Ball predictions and had made multiple visits during his recruitment, but he chose the Fighting Irish instead.
Burch is ranked No. 92 in the 2028 class and plays at Warren G. Harding High School in Warren, Ohio.
Michigan did get a much-needed positive on the defensive line front. 2027 four-star defensive lineman Xaxier Muhammad, who committed to the Wolverines in May, recently said his pledge remains firm despite a push from Texas. Muhammad confirmed he will sign with Michigan during the early signing period on Dec. 2, shutting down any doubt after Texas tried to make a move.
He was also expected to take another visit with the Longhorns for their game next week, but instead he’ll be back in Ann Arbor when Michigan faces UCLA. That matters for the Wolverines, especially with Muhammad standing as the only interior defensive line prospect in their 2027 class.
He is the No. 112 player in the class and attends Shadow Creek High School in Houston, Texas.
Michigan also made progress with a visitor who already had a commitment elsewhere. 2027 three-star linebacker Ryce Palepoi, a Boise State commit since June, spent the weekend in Ann Arbor for the Michigan-Michigan State game. The Wolverines offered the Salt Lake City native during the visit, and Palepoi came away impressed enough to say the trip changed things for him.
“This visit to Michigan really shook the whole game with my recruitment,” Palepoi told 247Sports’ Blair Angulo ($). “Meeting the staff and seeing everyone I knew from the Utah staff was so amazing and I have much love and respect for them.
The highlight of the trip was meeting with all the coaches and getting to spend time with them. The in-person offer just means more - they showed me and my family such great hospitality and I am so grateful.”
Even with Michigan’s loss on the field, Palepoi said the defense stood out to him.
“Even with the game being a loss, the defense absolutely battled and they have straight dawgs all around,” he said. “Their linebacker play was off the charts, too.
They have dawgs in that room and I really want to learn from older players like them. Michigan is right up there at the top of my list, but I want to take all my visits and use up the last amount of time to talk to my family and make sure I make the best decision for us.”
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