Blue Chips: More Michigan buzz following BBQ at The Big House

*** Five-star Belleville (Mich.) High quarterback Bryce Underwood did make it back for the BBQ today, which is obviously a positive. Yes, things went well here, but Michigan still has a fight on its hands. Underwood, who spent the previous two days at LSU, also had a great time in Baton Rouge. The Tigers have done a fantastic job of recruiting him, and I have reason to believe LSU is right up there with Michigan in this race. Underwood has been to Michigan around 10 times over the last year and loves new quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell. However, he’s always had a wandering eye for the south, and I believe the last two LSU visits really opened his eyes and have him thinking about leaving home. This one is a tight one going into the season.

*** Michigan hosted Top 100 Clayton (Ohio) Northmont wide receiver Dorian Brew for an unofficial visit this weekend. Brew can play on either side of the ball at the next level and should be considered an athlete. Brew has visited Michigan in the past and has a tie to the program through safety Rod Moore, who played at Northmont. This visit has Michigan back in the thick of things for Brew, but there is still some work to do. Ohio State is considered the frontrunner, and I do believe the Buckeyes lead. Notre Dame is also a factor here.

*** I do believe Michigan has the early lead for rising Newport News (Va.) Warwick athlete Messiah Delhomme coming out of this visit. Delhomme had a great time on campus and has quickly built up a strong bond with lead recruiter Jay Harbaugh. While On3 lists Delhomme as a safety, the Wolverines are recruiting him in the secondary. Florida State just entered the mix with an offer, so I’m curious to see what comes of that. But right now, Michigan is definitely the team to beat in this recruitment.

*** I also believe Michigan is now the team to beat for rising Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith cornerback Jahmari DeLoatch. Depending on how the rest of this cycle plays out, Michigan could take three cornerbacks in 2025, and DeLoatch is a diamond in the rough the staff seems to really like. In fact, Michigan is making him feel like an early priority, and that’s helping the Wolverines build momentum here. U-M defensive coordinator Jesse Minter did a nice job of finding Delhomme in the spring.

*** Another hidden gem type that Michigan is very fond of is three-star Asheville (N.C.) School linebacker Justin Rowe. I wrote that he could be next cycle’s Jaden Smith in the preview and still feel that way. Rowe has experience playing safety and has a long, rangy frame with plenty of room to add weight. Michigan made another strong impression on him this weekend, and I also feel like the Wolverines have the early lead in this recruitment.

*** Top 100 Miami (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna cornerback and Michigan commit Chris Ewald spent a couple of days at Auburn before arriving in Ann Arbor today. I’m told Auburn isn’t a real threat at this time. Ewald was hard at work recruiting other top targets at the BBQ today and seems locked in with his commitment. Both Ewald and his father spent time with Michigan legend Charles Woodson today, which was a great experience for the pair.

*** Very quickly, Michigan has been working on On300 Cincinnati (Ohio) Lakota West tight end Luka Gilbert, but I have no real optimism here. I think he ends up at Ohio State.

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