Blue Chips: Top underclassmen recruits planning to attend BBQ at The Big House

*** Top 100 2025 San Diego (Calif.) Lincoln quarterback Akili Smith Jr. is planning to attend the BBQ at The Big House later this month. This will mark Smith’s first-ever trip to Michigan. U-M quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell has been recruiting Smith hard over the last couple of months and went out West to see him during the spring evaluation period. Smith, an Oregon legacy, is the son of former NFL quarterback, Akili Smith. Oregon is considered the early favorite, but Michigan is making an impression. This visit will definitely help U-M’s efforts.

*** On300 2025 New Rochelle (N.Y.) Iona Prep offensive lineman Rowan Byrne is set to make a return visit to Michigan for the BBQ at The Big House. This one looks like a Michigan-Notre Dame battle early on. Byrne told me Michigan was at the top of his mind following last month’s visit. However, he saw Notre Dame soon after and called it his ‘dream school’ after notching an offer on the spot. Getting him back on campus is definitely a plus. The is a kid that Sherrone Moore values a lot early on. Byrne projects as a right tackle at the next level.

*** Michigan extended an offer to three-star in-state athlete Elijah Dotson and hosted him for a visit in the spring. Now, Dotson is set to make a return trip to Ann Arbor this month for the BBQ at The Big House. Dotson is listed as a wide receiver on On3. However, the Wolverines are recruiting the 6-foot-2, 175-pounder as a defensive back. Michigan co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach Steve Clinkscale is leading the way in this recruitment early on. Dotson is definitely an intriguing athlete and also holds offers from Indiana, Louisville, Penn State, Pitt and others. Michigan, however, seems like the early favorite here.

*** Top 100 Michigan cornerback commit Chris Ewald will be making his way back to campus for the BBQ at The Big House. The Miami (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna prospect was in Ann Arbor a couple of weeks ago and remains happy with his verbal pledge. Yes, Ewald took visits to a couple of other schools last month, but he seems pretty locked in and is excited to start building the 2025 recruiting class. Ewald, who is ranked as the No. 71 overall prospect nationally, per the On3 Industry Rankings, committed to Michigan back in December over a slew of major offers.

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