With arch-rival Ohio State winning the national title, the last team to defeat the Buckeyes started to restock to get back to that stage. Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore attacked the recruiting process even before the season started, as the first-year head coach looked to build a building block first class.
Michigan Recruiting 2025: Sherrone Moore Dominates
During the fall, despite some struggles, Moore started to build the foundation for future success on the field. Now, the Wolverines enter the season with the sixth-best recruiting class. Yes, even without the prestige or gravitas of Jim Harbaugh.
Saving travel time, Moore and Michigan managed to land the top-rated quarterback recruit in the country. Bryce Underwood lived and played 23 minutes away from Ann Arbor in Belleville, Michigan.
Keeping Underwood from leaving the state will go down as one of the best recruiting feats in college football history. He will take his place as the starting quarterback after a presumably strong spring game and winning rave reviews from coaches and media alike.
Moreover, acquiring the star quarterback will set new expectations and leave an imprint regarding future prospects that Michigan wants to pursue. While Underwood did not come at a bargain, Moore invested in the future of the program, acquiring his hopeful cornerstone at quarterback.
One player that will largely go unnoticed outside of the state of Michigan will be the transfer of interior offensive lineman Lawrence Kattar. Kattar holds a special spot in local football lore which makes his transfer all that more impressive. For four seasons, Kattar played at Division 2 superpower Ferris State (Mich.).
During his stay, Kattar enjoyed three national championships as the Bulldogs laid waste to every team placed in their path. Outside of his ability to function on the inside, the veteran offensive linemen’s leadership will matter.
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While Michigan still has leftovers from the championship run of 2023-24, Kattar’s leadership and championship pedigree will be key in building Michigan’s culture under Moore.
Star cornerback Will Johnson declared for the NFL Draft, leaving a void in the Wolverines’ defense. Moore didn’t seem to worry, signing signing four-star cornerback Shamari Earls.
In mystifying fashion, Earls became a Michigan man by decommitting from Georgia. Walking away from Athens for Ann Arbor signifies that Moore maintains a firm grasp on talent evaluation, and his pedigree carries weight with recruits.
Earls doesn’t quite possess the same coverage technique that Johnson will bring to Sunday football. However, the freshman brings a bit more speed, which can ultimately be used to augment and accentuate his ball skills.
Moore spanned the country, bringing in talent from all four corners of the country. In the process, the school metaphorically planted its flag right in the backyard of other schools.
According to 247Sports, of Moore’s top five recruits, only one is a native of the state of Michigan (Underwood). Earls (Virginia), interior offensive lineman Andrew Babalola (Kansas), Andrew Marsh (Texas), and linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng (Florida) round out the list. Marsh, in particular, walked right out of Texas, spurning Washington and Ohio State in the process.
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After Jim Harbaugh left, Moore looked to be holding the bag. After the NCAA published its notice of allegations in August, many people thought Moore would be the fall guy of the investigation.
Yet, the administration stood behind its head coach and started looking forward. Whether you agree or not, that remains the smartest move. Spinning off from that, Moore focused on the business at hand, which is gaining back the ground lost during the 2024 season.
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