Welcome to the Recruiting Roundup, our three-times-per-week series breaking down the latest developments on the recruiting trail for the Michigan Wolverines. We’ll keep you up to date on the top targets, the visits they take, the predictions that analysts make, and everything in between. Here’s what you need to know today…
Five-star leaving the door open despite commitment elsewhere
The Wolverines came up just short last Wednesday when 2027 five-star cornerback Josh Dobson committed to South Carolina. However, that verbal commitment might just be that … a verbal commitment.
Speaking with a pool of reporters at his commitment ceremony last week, Dobson explained how happy he was being committed to the Gamecocks while also admitting there is a lot of time for other things to happen.
“I think it’s great, but it’s far from over,” Dobson said. “Obviously, until I sign that dotted line, schools still gonna try to reach out to me. But for now, I’m really 1,000 percent committed to (South Carolina). I don’t even think I’m going to decommit.”
There are a couple words that really stand out in that quote — “it’s far from over,” and, “for now, I’m really 1,000 percent committed.”
Dobson also revealed in that interview he does not plan on taking visits to other schools. That’s understandable, but that also will not stop cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford and company from getting on the phone and continuing to recruit him.
Over the weekend, Dobson tried clarifying some of the comments that he made in the interview.
While any/all clarification is greatly appreciated, Dobson still did not say he isn’t going to continue listening to other schools, and what he said was common knowledge anyways. Most recruits will make things official in December, so while what he tweeted isn’t wrong, it’s also not convincing me that he wouldn’t still hear out other programs if they call him.
So yes, Dobson may have committed to a different school last week, but as he said himself, “it’s far from over.” Expect the Wolverines to continue pursuing him until he makes things official in December.
New commit recruiting elite high school teammate
The Wolverines may have missed on Dobson, but they did pick up a major commitment in the 2027 class last week from four-star cornerback Monsanna Torbert. The Cincinnati, Ohio native chose Michigan over Ohio State, marking the first time that Kyle Whittingham and this coaching staff have taken down the Buckeyes for a recruit from their own backyard.
Torbert attends Princeton High School, which has produced plenty of college football recruits over the years. One particular player that Michigan is going to go after is 2028 four-star wide receiver Lorenzo McMullen Jr. At 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds, he is already the No. 27 overall prospect in his class, per the Rivals Industry Rankings. With offers from Michigan, Ohio State and plenty of others, it’s safe to assume McMullen will be among the top players at his position in the 2028 class.
The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich ($) caught up with McMullen shortly after Torbert’s commitment, and he is already feeling the love from him high school teammate.
“(Torbert’s commitment) wasn’t that shocking to me,” McMullen said. “We talk a lot, so I kind of knew already. My interest definitely went up having the opportunity to play with a brother of mine.”
Additionally, Torbert told 247Sports’ Tom Loy ($) he plans on recruiting McMullen to Michigan, in addition to “the whole state of Ohio.” Needless to say, Michigan fans should remember McMullen’s name — and perhaps some others that we’ll discuss down the road — for the next recruiting cycle.
Four-star edge ‘loved’ most recent visit to Ann Arbor
Sticking with the 2028 class — one of the top overall players on Michigan’s board early on in the junior class is four-star edge rusher Major Stokes. At 6-foot-5 and 237 pounds, he ranks No. 74 overall on the Rivals Industry Rankings and hails from Orem, Utah. Stokes has offers from all across the country, but some of the schools standing out early are Michigan, Miami, Oklahoma, USC, and the in-state schools of Utah and BYU.
Speaking recently with Rivals’ Greg Biggins ($), Stokes recapped his most recent visit to Michigan — which happened in April and was his second time on campus — and discussed his bond with the coaching staff.
“I really love the coaching staff and Lewis Powell is more than a coach, he’s like a father figure,” Stokes said. “He was one of the first coaches to reach out to me when I was just in the eighth grade so I’m really comfortable with him. … I’ve known coach Whitt for a long time as well,” Stokes said. “I was able to hang out with him and the rest of the staff and really enjoyed getting to know everyone there in a pretty chill environment.
“I like the culture there and coach Whitt’s coaching style. He’s an aggressive coach and that’s what his teams are known for. Michigan is a top five school for me right now but I don’t plan on making an early decision, I want to play out my season first but I do like them a lot.”
Stokes is in no rush to make a commitment, as he wants to wait until after the upcoming football season before narrowing things down and taking visits. But when that time comes for him to make a decision, Michigan should have a hat on the table.
