The 10 best Michigan recruits I saw during the spring evaluation period
I traveled across the country in May and saw a number of Michigan targets during the spring evaluation period.
Here are the 10 best based on their performances and not necessarily how I would rank them.
10. WR Dyzier Carter, Woodberry Forest (Va.) School (2026)
Carter has already established himself as one of the premier pass catchers in the country next cycle. At 6-foot, 180 pounds, Carter is an explosive receiver that can line up in the slot or out wide. He’s also versatile enough to return kicks and punts and spend some time in the backfield — he even made a big play as a Wildcat quarterback when I saw him at practice. The Top 100 recruit notched a Michigan offer this offseason and is looking to make his first visit soon.
9. OL Hardy Watts, West Roxbury (Mass.) Dexter
Watts’ rankings are all over the place. On3 has him listed as a Top 125 recruit, while Rivals has him in the Top 200. However, bother 247 and ESPN have him graded as a three-star. After watching Watts live, I think the answer is somewhere in the middle. Watts has great feet and is an athletic interior offensive lineman with the flexibility to play some right tackle at the next level. He can continue to get stronger and develop physicality, but the way he moves at his size is impressive. I have him graded as a four-star borderline Top 300 recruit. Watts is set to make his OV to Michigan on June 21.
8. OL Kaden Strayhorn, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
Strayhorn probably would have been higher on this list if I got to see him do more at his spring game. But from the limited action I saw in combination with my in-game evaluation last fall, I feel confident in saying that Strayhorn is the best center prospect in the country. Obviously, he’s on the shorter side at about 6-foot-2, but he’s strong as an ox, plays with plenty of physicality and is a high-level technician with a high football IQ. Michigan doesn’t really need a center this cycle, yet the staff is willing to make room for Strayhorn. And it’s really not hard to see why. Strayhorn is set to make his OV on June 21.
7. S Jireh Edwards, Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy (2026)
The Under Armour Baltimore camp was loaded with P4 defensive backs in the current cycle. However, Edwards was the most impressive of the bunch and stood out more than all of them despite being an underclassman. Edwards is listed as a safety and has that type of build at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds. However, he locked up opposing wide receivers in 1v1s and showed the ability to be a big, physical corner, especially in a conference like the Big Ten. Michigan re-offered him this month and is working to get him to campus.
6. RB Savion Hiter, Woodberry Forest (Va.) School (2026)
Hiter definitely would have been higher on this list had his reps not been so limited when I saw him practice. Still, Hiter, the No. 2 ranked running back in the country for next cycle, flashed his elite talent during individual drills and a very brief 11-on-11 session. Hiter can do some damage between the tackles thanks to his vision, feet and quickness. He doesn’t necessarily have elite straight-line speed, but he’s very quick and slippery in the open field. Hiter is also a versatile back that can line up as a receiver and make plenty of plays as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Michigan hosted him for a visit this spring and is an early contender.
5. WR Quincy Porter, Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic
Everybody knows how much I love Porter. I’ve been banging the drum here for more than a year and fully believe he’s a five-star level prospect, which makes it painful for me to put him this low on the list. Unfortunately, Porter was limited by a minor injury when I saw him practice. Still, in limited action, Porter impressed me with his route running for his size and soft hands. He is a legitimate 6-foot-3, 180 pounds and is a candidate to play significantly as a true freshman if he sides with Michigan. Porter is a big red zone target, but he’s also a playmaker in the open field and can stretch the field vertically. He will be making his OV on June 14.
4. QB Carter Smith, Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot
Smith high on the list despite not being able to do what he does best — run. The practice that I attended saw Michigan’s quarterback commit only get in work as a pure passer. Smith, the reigning Gatorade Player of the Year, is one of the country’s most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks, but there is no doubt he needed to improve his mechanics and footwork in the pocket this offseason. Smith has done just that. He showed a tighter release and was more accurate/had more touch on his passes. Smith has always had the arm strength and athleticism and is now starting to put everything together, which is scary. His ceiling is sky high.
3. S JaDon Blair, Winston Salem (N.C.) Mount Tabor
This was my first time seeing Blair in live action, and man, he really passed the eye test. Blair is every bit of 6-foot-4, 180 pounds. His size and length are what make him an elite recruit, but I think the way he moves at that size is what makes him special. Blair looked comfortable sinking his hips getting in and out of breaks while working as a wide receiver. He also looked very fluid in individual defensive back drills. Blair certainly has the skillset to be a towering safety, but his frame can carry the extra weight required to spin him down into the box. On3 is the only service that has Blair ranked in the Top 100. The others sites are really missing the boat. Blair is set to make his official visit on June 14.
2. OL Michael Carroll, Doylestown (Pa.) Central Bucks East
This was also my first time seeing Carroll in live action, and his performance justified my initial ranking of him. I’ve long said that Carroll is the most important recruit on Michigan’s offensive line board, and it’s not hard to see why. Carroll has a really impressive frame at 6-foot-6, 300 pounds. He’s a road grader of a guard on film, but his spring workout put his athleticism, feet and length on full display. There is no doubt in my mind that he can be a tackle at the next level. On3 has him ranked as the No. 27 overall recruit nationally, and I also believe he’s a five-star caliber prospect. There is just so much to like about Carroll. He checks all the boxes for me as an offensive lineman. Carroll will make his OV on June 21.
1. CB Shamari Earls, Chester (Va.) Thomas Dale
Earls was the last recruit I saw during the spring evaluation period, and he ended up being the best. It’s not often prospects are listed smaller than they really are, but that’s the case with Earls. He’s a legitimate 6-foot-2, 200 pounds and has some of the best track times in the state of Virginia. The combination of speed and size is elite, but Earls is more than just a special athlete. He’s a true shut down corner. Earls has terrific hips and uses his superior length and physicality to frustrate opposing wide outs in man. And there is still some upside here as Earls is a bit raw from a technical standpoint and hasn’t had private DB work. As I told him after his practice, he’s the best corner I’ve seen since Will Johnson. I really do think he’s that good. Earls is committed to South Carolina but is looking to visit Michigan soon.
The post The 10 best Michigan recruits I saw during the spring evaluation period appeared first on On3.
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