Michigan’s New Cornerbacks Coach Wastes No Time Targeting 5-Star Joshua Dobson
CORNELIUS, N.C. - Jernaro Gilford may be new to Ann Arbor, but he’s already making his presence felt on the recruiting trail-and he’s doing it in a big way. The newly minted Michigan cornerbacks coach made a key stop this week at William Amos Hough High School in North Carolina, where he checked in on one of the most coveted defensive backs in the 2027 class: five-star corner Joshua Dobson.
It’s a bold move that signals exactly how Gilford plans to operate under head coach Kyle Whittingham’s new regime. With the 2026 class largely wrapped, programs are turning their full attention to the next wave of elite talent-and Dobson sits near the top of every board.
A Prototype Corner in the Making
Dobson isn’t just another high-upside sophomore. At 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, he’s already built like a future Power Five starter, with the kind of speed and length that defensive coordinators drool over.
His 10.78-second 100-meter dash time isn’t just track-fast-it’s game-changing. That speed shows up on tape, where he routinely blankets receivers and closes on the ball with rare acceleration.
But Dobson’s game is more than just raw athleticism. He’s a technician, with the kind of polish that’s uncommon for a player his age.
One local coach put it simply: “He understands leverage. He understands the ‘why’ behind the coverage.”
That’s the kind of mental edge that separates good corners from great ones.
He’s already shown he can produce, too. After a standout season at Catawba Ridge, Dobson transferred to Hough and hasn’t missed a beat.
Multiple interceptions and double-digit pass breakups have made it clear-he’s not just a camp star or a combine name. He’s a gamer.
Gilford’s Recruiting Footprint Expands
Gilford’s visit to Cornelius is more than just a courtesy stop-it’s a clear message that Michigan plans to compete for top-tier talent, even in SEC country. The former BYU assistant has a reputation for turning overlooked prospects into NFL-caliber players. Now, with Michigan’s brand and resources behind him, he’s going after the blue-chips.
And Dobson fits the mold of the kind of corner Gilford-and new defensive coordinator Jay Hill-want in their system. Michigan’s scheme under Hill leans heavily on physical, versatile corners who can live on an island.
Dobson checks every box. He’s long, fast, instinctive, and confident in man coverage.
That’s exactly the kind of player who thrives in this defense.
Make no mistake-landing Dobson won’t be easy. LSU, South Carolina, and Clemson are all in heavy pursuit, and Dobson is set to visit Baton Rouge this weekend to see what Lane Kiffin is building.
But Gilford’s early engagement could be a difference-maker. He’s not just recruiting Dobson-he’s building a relationship, and that matters.
A Long Battle Ahead
This recruitment is far from over. Dobson is a national name now, and his offer list reflects that.
But Michigan has inserted itself into the conversation early, and that’s critical. The spring evaluation period is just around the corner, and you can bet the Wolverines will be a regular presence at Hough High.
If Gilford can pull this off-if he can convince the No. 1 player in North Carolina to head north and anchor Michigan’s future secondary-it would be a massive early win for the new staff. Not just because of what Dobson brings on the field, but because of what it would signal about the Wolverines’ recruiting reach under Whittingham.
For now, Dobson remains one of the most intriguing names in the 2027 class. And Michigan, thanks to Gilford’s early work, is right in the thick of it.