Coach of Belleville High talks Jeremiah Beasley, Bryce Underwood, Michigan

On300 Belleville (Mich.) High linebacker Jeremiah Beasley committed to Michigan on June 28, becoming the third in-state prospect in the 2024 class to join the two-time defending Big Ten Champions.

“I’m glad that Jeremiah picked the school that he wanted to go to and has a connection with,” Belleville head coach Calvin Norman told The Wolverine last week at the annual SoundMind SoundBody 7v7 Showcase. “I love Michigan. I’ve been a Michigan fan ever since I was a little kid. Ever since Anthony Carter played. Knowing that Jeremiah is going to Michigan, it’s exciting for me, and I can’t wait to see him do great things over there.”

Beasley picked the Wolverines following June official visits to Illinois, Michigan State and Missouri. He returned to Ann Arbor over Victor’s Weekend and was one of 15 commits in U-M’s 2024 recruiting class to take part in the festivities.

Originally planning to announce a commitment in mid-March, Beasley postponed it to schedule officials. Linebackers coach Chris Partridge and co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale led the way to lock in the sideline-to-sideline defender.

“Jeremiah handled the process really well because I could tell that the transition was very tough,” Norman said. “There was a lot on his plate. But once he figured it out and now that it’s done, he can come in, play football, have fun and enjoy his senior year.”

Beasley enters his final year with the Metro Detroit powerhouse in search of a third-straight MHSAA Division I state championship. Starting both ways for the Tigers, Beasley compiled 108 total tackles, including 72 solo, last season while rushing for 1,250 yards and 27 touchdowns.

At 6-foot-0.5, 210 pounds, Beasley is projected to play the WILL for Michigan, who prioritized On3’s No. 24 overall linebacker in the country this offseason because of his comfort in space, coverage awareness, downhill speed and fierce tackling ability.

“He’ll be a great fit (at Michigan) because he’s a physical kid,” Norman said. “He’s fast, gets to the ball and always comes up with a sure tackle. Some things are done naturally for him. As he continues to grow and continues to learn (Michigan’s) system, I think he’ll fit right in.”

For Norman, this will be his fifth-year coaching at Belleville High and first-year as head coach. Having been a coach in the state of Michigan for five decades, 2023 won’t be Norman’s debut as ring leader, but taking over a program ranked in the Top 25 nationally presents heavy challenges and expectations.

“It’s really a coach’s dream, I’m not going to lie,” Norman said. “This is going to be my 34th season and to have a program like this something that you dream about. I’m excited every day coming to practice. I’m excited to put together schedules. All of those things are exciting to me and I’m just ready for the challenge. Everything is at a high level but I love it because I get to bring those kids to that high level.”

Entering fall camp with a senior class led by Beasley, who’s also the No. 5 ranked in-stater by On3, Norman’s established chemistry between himself and the players is the foundation towards returning to Ford Field in November.

“They already know what’s expected,” Norman said. “They’re already sending the younger guys the message to tell them what’s expected. It makes that transition really good because the older kids already know. They’ve been with me for four years so they know what I’m about and they’re excited.”

Norman also has the nation’s No. 1 overall 2025 prospect in quarterback Bryce Underwood, who’s visited Michigan four times since the month of March.

Quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell has maintained weekly communication with Underwood and his family, who are helping guide the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder through a widely-covered recruitment.

“The ceiling is high for Bryce,” Norman said. “One coach told me, “Coach, I can’t offer him more. I can offer him the house but I have to talk to the wife first” (laughs). The great thing for him is that he has a great support system. He has a great dad, a great mom and a great family. They make sure that the pressure isn’t too much on him. They make sure he’s still a kid and they let him have his fun. So when he’s out here, he’s having a great time. He’s not feeling the pressure and he’s having fun right now. That’s great to see.”

Beasley is the first recruit from Belleville High to pledge to the Wolverines since cornerback Andre Seldon in the 2020 cycle. Through the efforts of Clinkscale, wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy and others on staff, U-M’s presence at the school, plus the job done to land Beasley, could set a precedent in having future recruits stay in-state to play college football.

“I would like to see it be better,” Norman said. “It’s really nice to see these kids have that option to go different places. But it’s good to see them come home too. It helps out the youth. It helps out the younger guys. I’ll say this; I used to coach Devin Gardner when he was younger. He was my quarterback when he was young. Seeing him go through the process and seeing him play at Michigan are things that the kids respond to. That’s one thing I’d like to see from Michigan overall is getting more kids from the state and have them stay home.”

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