From the road: Thoughts, intel on trio of 2025 Michigan recruiting targets

*** Michigan is making Top 100 2025 Norfolk (Va.) Maury EDGE Ari Watford a top priority for next cycle. I’m told the staff absolutely loves this kid and thinks he’s a ‘monster.’ That should come as no surprise as Watford is ranked as the No. 10 overall recruit in the country, per On3. Watford is keeping in constant contact with Michigan staffer Dylan Roney, while fellow staffer Albert Karschnia has built up a relationship with one of Watford’s mentors. Watford hasn’t made many visits and is pretty open with the process — hence why Virginia Tech leads on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. When I asked Watford about schools keeping in touch the most, he pointed to Clemson, Michigan, Penn State and South Carolina, which is the only school he has a firm visit date with for the fall.

*** Watford told me he’s hopeful to get to Michigan for a game in November. Remember, the Wolverines are planning two big weekends for the games against Purdue and Ohio State. If Watford is unable to make it to The Big House, his father did tell me that they will visit in the offseason. As a player, Watford is an impressive looking prospect at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds. He has tremendous length and is extremely athletic with a ton of upside. Watford can play the speed rushing role, but he also has the frame to add plenty of weight and be a bigger EGE. Either way, Watford would be a candidate to make an immediate impact at a place like Michigan. U-M obviously knows how to get the most out of pass rushers, and that’s something that’s very appealing to Watford.

*** Michigan also has an offer out to Watford’s teammate, four-star 2025 Norfolk (Va.) Maury athlete Kendall Daniels. Unfortunately, Daniels did not play in Thursday’s contest due to a minor injury. I did see Daniels practice in the summer, and he’s certainly an intriguing prospect. He’s the usual starter at quarterback for Maury and also doubles as a defensive back. Michigan likes him in the secondary as a safety. At 6-foot-3, 187 pounds, Daniels has really good length, athleticism and a high football IQ. Like Watford, Daniels hasn’t made very many visits and is open early on. Michigan definitely has his interest as do schools like Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Texas and USC.

*** Michigan has the early lead for three-star 2025 Asheville (N.C.) School athlete Justin Rowe, per the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. The Wolverines have a 69.7 percent chance of landing him, and I do agree that the Wolverines have the early edge here. Rowe has already visited Michigan on multiple occasions, including for the BBQ at The Big House in July. Rowe is planning to be back at Michigan before the end of the season. Right now, NC State seems to be the biggest threat. Rowe is a Swiss Army knife that played everything from safety to wide receiver to kick/punt returner to holder. Michigan likes him as a hybrid linebacker in the exact same mold as 2024 commit Jaden Smith.

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