Recruiting Roundup: Despite Loss to Ohio State, Michigan Stays Hot on the Trail with Key Visits and Commitments
The Michigan Wolverines may have wrapped up their 2025 regular season with a tough loss to archrival Ohio State, but the energy around the program hasn’t cooled one bit-especially on the recruiting front. With bowl season still ahead, the focus in Ann Arbor has shifted to locking in future talent, and this past weekend’s showdown at The Big House brought a wave of top prospects to campus. Even in defeat, Michigan made an impression where it counts: with the next generation of stars.
Tennessee Commit Salesi Moa Still Listening to Michigan
One of the most intriguing visitors for "The Game" was 2026 four-star athlete Salesi Moa, who’s currently committed to Tennessee. Michigan’s staff hasn’t let that commitment stop them from recruiting him hard-and it’s clear Moa is still open to hearing what the Wolverines have to say.
“It was good,” Moa said of his visit. “It was cold, but the game was exciting and in the snow, we really got to experience the whole thing. I brought my family with me, so it was good with them and met some new people as well.”
Moa, who’s being recruited to play in the secondary, liked what he saw from Michigan’s defense. While he remains "locked in" with the Volunteers for now, his comments suggest the door isn’t completely shut.
“I could see myself playing on this Michigan defense,” he said.
The Wolverines have their work cut out for them if they want to flip Moa, but his visit-paired with the family atmosphere and defensive fit-gives Michigan a fighting chance down the stretch.
In-State Edge Rusher Recarder Kitchen Commits
Despite the loss on the field, Michigan scored a win off it with a big-time commitment from Recarder Kitchen, a 2027 four-star edge rusher out of Michigan. The No. 110 overall prospect in his class, Kitchen chose the Wolverines over strong interest from Louisville, Penn State, and Wisconsin.
What sealed the deal? Consistency and connection.
“The number one thing in my recruitment was communication and loyalty, and Michigan stood out big in that department,” Kitchen said. “They texted me all the time asking how I was doing and asked me about life outside of football. It was always about more than football because there’s a lot of life to live after football-and that’s what I loved most.”
That kind of personal touch is what separates programs in today’s recruiting landscape. Michigan didn’t just sell a football vision-they built a relationship that felt real. And now, they’ve secured one of the state’s top young defenders.
Four-Star Safety Myles Baker Impressed by Visit
Another key visitor for "The Game" was Myles Baker, a 2027 four-star safety who came away impressed despite the scoreboard. Baker, who has family in the area, said the loss didn’t take away from the experience-and it’s clear Michigan made a strong impression.
“Definitely not the outcome we wanted to see, but still doesn’t take away from the amazing time I’ve been having out here,” Baker said.
He spent time with both interim head coach Sherrone Moore and co-defensive coordinator LaMar Morgan, and it’s clear the staff has made him feel like a priority.
“I had meetings with coach Morgan already,” Baker said. “I talked to coach Moore to see how he feels about the game, but I’ve been having a great visit.
The way coach Morgan has been recruiting me so far-the defensive staff really likes me a lot. Really, how coach Morgan has been recruiting me-and it’s a great place.
I have family out here, so it definitely will be a place I have interest in going.”
While Baker isn’t ready to make a commitment just yet, he admitted Michigan is near the top of his list.
“I’m going to wait it out, but Michigan is definitely high,” he said. “That is somewhere I’d want to go. I’m not going to commit this weekend, but I thought about it for sure.”
Final Thoughts
The loss to Ohio State may have stung, but Michigan’s recruiting momentum hasn’t skipped a beat. The Wolverines continue to build strong relationships with top-tier talent-both in-state and nationally-and this past weekend proved that the program’s culture, staff, and vision still resonate with elite prospects.
With the early signing period just around the corner, Michigan is positioning itself to finish strong-and possibly flip a few key targets along the way. Stay tuned. The recruiting trail is heating up in Ann Arbor.