Coach of five-star safety Trey McNutt talks Michigan, recruitment, more
Shaker Heights (Ohio) High safety Trey McNutt is among the most coveted 2025 prospects out of The Buckeye State, and Michigan has been in the mix for over a year, having hosted the five-star twice on campus.
As McNutt enters the official visit and continues embarking on a process that’s gone national, his support from loved ones includes his head coach, Alex Nicholson, who’s seen his star defender not stagnant regarding growth.
“I’m really proud of him, Nicholson told The Wolverine. “How he’s handled everything that’s happened. Just like everybody, you can always keep growing. You can always get better as a player, as a person. He’s a great person, great human being, but you got to keep telling him nobody’s ever perfect. He just keeps striving for it. So, he just got to keep working on that.”
Michigan’s involvement with McNutt recently had him dropping a Top 8 list at the beginning of April, which featured the reigning national champions. McNutt took in the game against Ohio State game last season after a late spring trip six months earlier.
“This is the first kid I’ve coached that has had this natural exposure, and it’s pretty special,” Nicholson said. “He’s done a really good job of handling it.”
As one of 32 prospects this cycle to receive the coveted five-star ranking on the On3 Industry Ranking, McNutt’s offseason work has been noticed on and off the field. He was instrumental in leading the efforts towards allowing Ohio athletes to play 7v7, previously outlawed by the OHSAA. With McNutt’s own game, specifically, Nicholson was quick to point what aspects are standing out and are improving.
“His speed,” Nicholson said. “His ability to stride out and cover sideline to sideline, especially in the deep post. I’m sure you’ve seen that stuff in OT7. He’s really fast. He’s the fastest I’ve ever coached.
“I think it’s his recognition. Just his recognition on defense, and you just got to keep getting better at that.”
McNutt’s eight finalists also are Ohio State, Oregon, Texas A&M, Florida, Georgia, USC, and Tennessee. The Wolverines’ previous lead recruiter was Steve Clinkscale, who departed for the Chargers in the winter. Now, McNutt has heard from new defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan and head coach Sherrone Moore, and is considering a return visit to Ann Arbor before committing.
“I think what they do is a great job up there,” Nicholson said. “The way Coach (Jim) Harbaugh has built that program back. I know Coach Moore is going to do a great job of keeping that program going forward.”
At 6-foot-0, 180 pounds, McNutt is listed as the No. 26 overall prospect and No. 2 safety in the country, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four primary recruiting media services. He’s also the No. 2 recruit in Ohio.
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