From The Road: Thoughts, Intel on CJ Sadler and other Michigan targets from Detroit Cass Tech

The Wolverine has the latest Michigan recruiting intel from Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech, which held practice on Wednesday, and where one of its priority 2026 in-state targets is eyeing a return to Ann Arbor this season.

On300 2026 ATH CJ Sadler

Industry Ranking: No. 101 Overall, No. 15 Wide Receiver, No. 1 in Michigan
On3 Ranking: No. 212 Overall, No. 30 Wide Receiver, No. 3 in Michigan
RPM: Michigan (90.5%), MSU (3.0%), Penn State (1.3%), Alabama (1.1%)
Past U-M Visits: 6/19/24, 4/20/24, 11/25/23, 3/26/23, 10/29/22, 10/15/22

CJ Sadler was on the list of visitors for last month’s BBQ at The Big House but couldn’t make it. Instead, he’ll look to return to Michigan for a game, potentially as early as September when Texas comes to town. The amount of recruits mentioning that weekend when they want to visit Ann Arbor is lofty. However, if Sadler can’t appear, with Cass Tech playing Canton (Ohio) McKinley at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium the night before, there will be six more home games on the schedule, including Oregon and MSU.

A lot was discussed before the coaching staff turnover on Steve Clinkscale constructing a close relationship with Sadler, who once called the former assistant an “uncle figure.” Now that Clinkscale is in the NFL, wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy is taking over as lead recruiter. Bellamy has collected a high-respect level in the Detroit-area since joining his alma mater after a decade-long stint as West Bloomfield (Mich.) High’s head coach. The staff at Cass Tech commend Bellamy’s commitment to prioritizing U-M’s backyard and how Bellamy recruits with genuine care. Head coach Sherrone Moore‘s investment in the local schools is also celebrated.

A good number of schools pushing for Sadler are looking at him on the offensive side of the ball. Some want him on the defensive side. Then, teams like Colorado are talking about Sadler continuing his two-way ability. That appeals to Sadler, who’s been compared to Deebo Samuel because of his Swiss Army Knife abilities. I think Michigan can provide that opportunity, too, for Sadler, who can also impact special teams as a kick and punt returner. At wideout, he reigns supreme on the 7v7 circuit and in-season. In the secondary, he displays the moxie, ball-tracking skills, and attitude that’s desired for a cornerback.  

Sadler has visited Michigan twice since Moore took over as a head coach. He’s been enjoying building connections with everyone on staff. He likes the consistency of Bellamy checking in on him and his family and has spoken to Moore over the phone a couple of times. The family atmosphere, love, and being heavily recruited by the hometown school are piquing Sadler’s interest, too, as he really liked getting the chance to watch his former Sound Mind Sound Body teammates who enrolled at U-M all on the field together competing during the spring game.

This season, Sadler will focus on how the Wolverines do with a new staff while playing in a realigned Big Ten Conference, building off the national championship, and moving forward in a new era.

Four-star 2026 DB Alex Graham

Industry Ranking: No. 316 Overall, No. 30 Cornerback, No. 3 in Michigan
On3 Ranking: No. 51 Cornerback, No. 10 in Michigan
RPM: Colorado Verbal Commit
Past U-M Visits: 6/19/24, 2/3/24, 11/25/23, 6/13/23, 1/28/23, 10/29/22, 9/10/22, 7/31/22, 6/16/22, 4/25/22

Alex Graham is expected to finish his high school career at Cass Tech, the school he played for in his freshman and sophomore seasons before transferring to Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy in the summer of last year. Graham is currently not with the team as he waits to get cleared for eligibility. But he’s among the flip candidates at defensive back this cycle, whom Michigan is keeping a close eye on. The Wolverines are vying to fill the open cornerback spot opposite of On300 commit Jayden Sanders, and Graham has the length and athleticism to meet the need.

I saw Graham twice in-game before he went to IMG and was impressed with his versatility and physicality. Since April 2022, Graham has visited U-M ten times. It’s going to be tough to flip him from Colorado, which has done a phenomenal job of relationship-building, but Graham is a Michigan legacy with his mother graduating from the university.

Three-star 2026 OL Khalief Canty

Industry Ranking: No. 337 Overall, No. 27 Offensive Tackle, No. 6 in Michigan
On3 Ranking: No. 36 Offensive Tackle, No. 9 in Michigan
RPM: Michigan (54.3%), MSU (19.6%). Penn State (8.8%), Alabama (7.3%)
Past U-M Visits: 6/17/24, 7/30/23, 6/1623, 3/27/23, 1/28/23

Khalief Canty is listed as an offensive tackle by On3. But I believe he’ll slide inside at the next level. This season will be his third straight year starting for Cass Tech. Receiving outstanding development from the school’s offensive line coach, former Michigan mauler David Dawson, Canty is being asked to relish in a leadership role. The ferociousness and aggressiveness that Canty brings to the table, certainly in the run game, is among the factors why he’s in the Top 6 amongst all in-staters next cycle. At 6-foot-3.5, 310 pounds, Canty has done very well playing an interior role in camp settings. He’s the anchor for Cass Tech, but I think he’ll find more success collegiately at guard.

A player on Michigan’s roster who graduated from Cass Tech and who Canty looks up to is Raheem Anderson. There’s also strong affirmation from Canty for Moore and offensive line coach Grant Newsome. Knowing that Moore and Newsome have experience as both players and coaches stands out for Canty, who was last on campus to compete in U-M’s Big Man Camp two months ago. He ended up winning offensive line MVP and appreciated getting hands-on training from the staff. Canty is yearning to return for his sixth visit soon and take part in the game-day experience. He wants to see winning and domination from the Wolverines.

Rising 2028 QB Donald Tabron

Industry Ranking: N/A
On3 Ranking: N/A
RPM: Michigan (79.8%), Penn State (15.1%), MSU (1.2%)
Past U-M Visits: 7/27/24, 6/19/24, 6/10/24, 4/5/24, 7/30/23

Donald Tabron could be the next great in-state high school quarterback. At 6-foot-3, 175 pounds, Tabron has yet to throw a pass at this level but has notched Power 4 offers from Michigan, MSU, Kentucky, Auburn, Penn State, and Maryland. One character trait that people often describe Tabron is his humbleness, and it’s noticeable in interviews. He credited his coaches and teammates like Sadler and Canty for helping him expand his journey. His quarterback trainer is Donovan Dooley, who also trains Bryce Underwood and Trae Taylor, so he’s also receiving tremendous offseason instruction. Tabron has significantly more room to keep filling out, and once that occurs, he could be in the same mold physically as Underwood. It’ll be interesting to see how many starts Tabron gets this season. I think he has the untapped potential to lead Cass Tech under center the entire fall, much like what Underwood did as a freshman. Tabron is showing great maturity about locking in for the upcoming campaign, and that’ll stay consistent while playing on a veteran team.

Michigan offered Tabron this past June when he returned for a camp. He got to throw in front of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell, whose philosophy of feeding into the signal-caller mindset caught the freshman’s attention. Moore has also spoken in-depth to Tabron and his family on visits. Topics between the two parties sometimes don’t even involve football, so they like that Moore is showing openness and availability. Although Tabron has visited Ann Arbor five times, he’s yet to see a game, so he plans to return in the fall.

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