Ranking The Contenders: Where does Michigan sit with weekend official visitors?

Michigan’s second June official visit slate has begun, with five marquee 2025 recruiting targets on campus to receive an in-depth look at the reigning College Football Playoff winners. But heading into the weekend, where do the Wolverines stand with each visitor?

The Wolverine‘s Zach Libby examines the likely position for Michigan within the group and how it can vault or stay in pole position.

Top 100 EDGE Mariyon Dye, Elkhart (Ind.) High

On3 Ranking: No. 40 Overall, No. 5 EDGE, No. 1 in Indiana
Past U-M Visits: 4/9/24, 11/4/23

Contender Rankings: 1. Ohio State 2. Tennessee 3. Michigan 4. Florida State 5. Purdue

Swapping out an official visit to Georgia for Michigan this weekend means the Wolverines have reentered the picture for Mariyon Dye after what appeared to be a situation where a second offseason return to Ann Arbor might not have been in the cards. Dye included U-M in his Top 8 list released last month but had not scheduled an official. That changed earlier this week. Dye has been getting in close with new defensive line coach Lou Esposito, who’s made a considerable push for the stout pass rusher these past couple of months, and the junior has shown high interest in the overall EDGE production throughout Michigan’s recent history. The next step is overcoming Ohio State, Florida State, Tennessee, and Purdue. The Boilermakers were first on Dye’s official visit schedule, and he’ll soon head to the three other aforementioned programs before the dead period, with the Buckeyes being the current On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) leader. Those in the OSU realm believe that if Dye chooses to remain in the Midwest, then enrolling in Columbus is the likely destination. The Volunteers brought him in for a game-day visit last season, which is what Michigan also did when an offer was issued. Pushing the idea that Dye will receive the right development en route to an NFL career at a school close to home will be important this weekend.

Top 100 OL SJ Alofaituli, Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman

Industry Ranking: No. 71 Overall, No. 4 Interior Offensive Lineman, No. 3 in Nevada
RPM: Nebraska (37.2%), Michigan (32.6%), USC (7.5%), Texas A&M (6.2%)
Past U-M Visits: 11/25/23

Contender Rankings: 1. Nebraska 2. Michigan T3. Texas A&M T3. Miami T5. Oregon T5. Washington

SJ Alofaituli has been public about Michigan being a legitimate contender. It started two years ago when head coach Sherrone Moore, who was commanding the offensive line at the time, offered Alofaituli. Then, the projected interior mauler visited The Big House in late November for the Ohio State game. He was joined by incoming freshman running back and former Bishop Gorman teammate Micah Ka’apana. Now, heading into the official visit, Alofaituli has been in contact with Moore and new offensive line coach Grant Newsome. Playing on a two-time Joe Moore Award-winning unit also has Alofaituli’s attention to the utmost degree. Alofaituli is heavily eyeing schools like Nebraska as well. As HuskerOnline’s Sean Callahan wrote earlier this week that there’s a Polynesian connection with offensive line coach Donovan Raiola. Alofaituli’s two offensive line Bishop Gorman teammates, Douglas Utu and Alai Kalaniuvalu, have already taken official visits to Lincoln. All three have offers and will have also taken officials to Ann Arbor before the end of the month. Gut feelings are that Nebraska could have a slight edge, considering that it will get the final pitch prior to the dead period. Alofaituli is also coming off recent unofficial visits to Texas A&M and Miami, with the Aggies hosting him last weekend. But having the entire family at Michigan this weekend to learn how he could impact the offensive line, either at guard or center, while getting a proper grasp of the community feel in the area indicates that the Wolverines are firmly in the conversation.

Top 100 RB Jordon Davison, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei

Industry Ranking: No. 91 Overall, No. 5 Running Back, No. 8 in California
RPM: Ohio State (81.3%), Texas (10.7%), USC (1.8%), Michigan (1.1%)
Past U-M Visits: 3/28/24, 4/14/22, 11/27/21

Contender Rankings: 1. Ohio State 2. Oregon 3. Michigan 4. Alabama

This weekend, Michigan will work diligently to overcome what Ohio State and Oregon have done so far in Jordon Davison‘s recruitment. The Buckeyes are the heavy favorite on the RPM, and they desire Davison to team with the new commit, Bo Jackson. Former Kentucky pledge Isaiah West is also trending to Columbus. Once Davison take his official to OSU, he’ll have been to campus five times. He last traveled there for spring camp practice in late March. Also, there’s a preexisting connection between Daivson and running backs coach Carlos Locklyn. Davison has been to Oregon three times and will be back on an official visit next weekend. Eugene is closest to home and Davison has gotten to know new running backs coach Ra’Shaad Samples well this offseason. However, the Wolverines were featured in Davison’s Top 4 list, and he toured Ann Arbor twice prior to the hiring of new running back coach Tony Alford. Davison once called his bond with Alford “special,” and said the impact of Alford’s move to Ann Arbor has heightened U-M’s chances because of their relationship. He returned to Schembecher Hall three months ago where he got to reunite with Alford. Pitching Davison to be the featured tailback in the class, learn under Alford, and be a part of a program that’s built a ground-and-pound offense will undoubtedly be relayed over the next couple of days.

On300 EDGE Julius Holly, Alpharetta (Ga.) High

On3 Ranking: No. 236 Overall, No. 25 EDGE, No. 29 in Georgia
RPM: Georgia (31.9%), Ole Miss (18.7%), Michigan (12.1%), Texas A&M (10.1%)
Past U-M Visits: N/A

Ranking Contenders: 1. Georgia 2. Ole Miss 3. Michigan 4. Texas A&M 5. Alabama

Julius Holly will get his first experience of Michigan this weekend after notching an offer last month during the spring evaluation period. Flying to campus shows a willingness from the four-star to understand the opportunities that could lie ahead in a different region for college. Holly is taking education into significant consideration, which U-M can surely provide. Georgia has the edge on the RPM, but an offer from the in-state school happened later than the Wolverines. The same goes for Alabama, which could be in the mix for an official visit. Texas A&M and Ole Miss are also expected to host Holly this month, with an expected commitment taking place later in the summer. A strong showing this weekend from an athletic and academic standpoint could help U-M gain footing against the SEC clubs. But if the Bulldogs go all in for Holly, it would be a tough decision to say no to remain in The Peach State, and he’s been to Athens on three unofficial visits. The Rebels have been in the mix the longest, issuing the offer in late January, with Holly taking a trip to Oxford two months later.

Four-star EDGE Jaylen Williams, Palatine (Ill.) High

Industry Ranking: No. 278 Overall, No. 22 Defensive Lineman, No. 6 in Illinois
RPM: Michigan (96.5%), Nebraska (1.4%)
Past U-M Visits: 11/25/23, 7/30/23

Ranking Contenders: 1. Michigan 2. Nebraska

Now that Michigan is welcoming Jaylen Williams back to Ann Arbor for the first time this offseason, confidence in predictions for the national champions to land a commitment from the Chicagoland defender has increased exponentially. The twists and turns that have marked the Wolverines in Williams’ recruitment since the junior returned for the game against Ohio State several months ago have led the team down a path where Esposito has steered momentum in the right direction. The most fierce competition for Williams stems from Nebraska, which will host him on an official visit in two weeks. U-M replacing two defensive line coaches since January opened the door for the Cornhuskers. However, because of the effort already put in by Esposito and him now leading the way, predictions aren’t changing. This weekend will give Williams and his loved ones ample time to meet with Esposito and Moore to solidify their comfort around the new coaching staff and familiarity of the area.

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