Intel: Michigan DL coach Lou Esposito contacts Top 100 EDGE and On300 commit; Latest on 2025 defensive recruits
The Wolverine has the latest on the Michigan recruiting front, where newly hired defensive line coach Lou Esposito has contacted a priority 2025 EDGE target and one of U-M’s verbal commits this cycle.
Top 100 EDGE Nate Marshall, Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick
Industry Ranking: No. 31 Nationally, No. 3 Defensive Lineman, No. 1 in Illinois
RPM: Miami (28.9%), Notre Dame (12.9%), Illinois (11.1%), Michigan (9.2%)
Nate Marshall told The Wolverine that he’s spoken to Esposito a few times since the reigning national champions hired the latter. The latest development comes after Marshall, who saw head coach Sherrone Moore stop by his school during the winter contact period, also heard from former assistant coach Greg Scruggs prior to his resignation. Marshall has yet to return to Michigan this offseason, but he said he hopes to schedule a date. The Wolverines hosted the elite Chicagoland pass rusher twice last year, including for the game against Ohio State. Miami has an official visit scheduled with the junior in June, with Marshall recently visiting Alabama and Auburn..
On300 DL Commit Bobby Kanka, Howell (Mich.) High
On3 Ranking: No. 297 Nationally, No. 24 Defensive Lineman, No. 3 in Michigan
RPM: Michigan (99.3%)
The Wolverine has learned that both Moore and Esposito contacted Bobby Kanka on Monday, and the trio are expected to get on the phone again today, according to Kanka’s father. The series of calls will be the first time Kanka speaks to Esposito. The idea for the family is to visit later this week so they can sit down with Esposito and defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale, with a return to Ann Arbor on April 20 for the spring game. Since the coaching turnover earlier in the winter, the family has yet to appear inside Schembechler Hall. Kanka did visit Michigan State last week with some Howell teammates.
Top 100 Safety Trey McNutt, Shaker Heights (Ohio) High
Industry Ranking: No. 30 Nationally, No. 1 Safety, No. 2 in Ohio
RPM: Ohio State (80.9%), Notre Dame (3.2%), Michigan (1.8%), Penn State (1.5%)
On Monday, Trey McNutt publicly dropped a Top 8 list that featured Michigan, Ohio State, Georgia, Tennessee, USC, Florida, Texas A&M, and Oregon. According to On3’s Steve Wiltfong, dates for summer official visits will be released once plans are finalized. The No. 1 safety in the country will be at Oregon on April 27. Wiltfong also reported that four teams stand out amongst the rest: OSU, A&M, the Trojans, and the Ducks. McNutt closely connected with Steve Clinkscale and visited Ann Arbor twice last year. He’s been in contact with U-M defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan, but the Wolverines are losing traction. McNutt is looking at an announcement commitment before his senior season.
On300 Safety Martels Carter, Paducah (Ky.) Tilghman
Industry Ranking: No. 174 Nationally, No. 14 Safety, No. 1 in Kentucky
RPM: Kentucky (94.7%), Ole Miss (1.0%), Michigan (<1%)
Martels Carter didn’t come in this past weekend. He’s part of National Players Academy, a Nashville-based recruiting exposure and 7v7 service that produced linebackers Junior Colson and Mason Curtis, as well as 2025 tight end commit Eli Owens. EJ Holland first reported that Carter was expected to visit Michigan unofficially over the weekend or April 20. Owens returned on Sunday. Now, it’s learned that Carter won’t be in for the spring game. However, the secondary target is still expected to appear for his scheduled official visit on June 21-23. That’s the same weekend Owens is taking his respective official. Morgan has spoken to Carter, and their relationship has continued to develop this offseason.
Three-star DL Amir Leonard-Jean Charles, Mount Juliet (Tenn.) Lipscomb Academy
Industry Ranking: No. 832 Nationally, No. 68 Defensive Lineman, No. 28 in Tennessee
RPM: Kentucky (23.3%), Michigan (20.4%), Tennessee (11.8%), Ole Miss (9.8%)
Amir Leonard-Jean Charles told The Wolverine that he wants to take another visit to Michigan but has yet to hear from Esposito. U-M remains a school that is very high on the Tennessee native’s list, as he’s made three trips to Ann Arbor so far in his recruitment. Along with two game-day visits, Jean Charles also showed up to The Big House for last year’s spring game. In November, Jean Charles called the Wolverines one of his dream schools, and his father feels the same way. Texas hosted Jean Charles in Austin last weekend, and the junior traveled to Gainesville before the February dead period.
On300 DL Kevin Wynn, Greensboro (Ga.) Greene County
Industry Ranking: No. 163 Nationally, No. 13 Defensive Lineman, No. 22 in Georgia
RPM: Florida State (42.0%), South Carolina (22.8%), Georgia (6.9%), Michigan (<1%)
Michigan made the Top 10 for Kevin Wynn back in mid-February alongside USC, Georgia, Florida, Florida State, Alabama, LSU, Tennessee, NC State, and South Carolina. The Wolverines entered the mix in the middle of last season when Mike Elston hopped on the phone with Wynn, who was impressed with the program’s history of developing defensive linemen en route to a career in the NFL. The Wolverine reached out to Wynn about him possibly making a first-ever visit to Ann Arbor this spring, and he said it might not happen. The Seminoles and Gamecocks have June official visits scheduled with Wynn, who’s coming off a visit to see the Gators last weekend.
Rising EDGE Katrell Webb, Suwanee (Ga.) Collins Hill, 2026
Industry Ranking: N/A
RPM: Auburn (26.6%), Florida State (23.3%), UCF (19.9%), LSU (16.6%), Michigan (1.5%)
Katrell Webb told The Wolverine that he’s looking to visit Michigan for the first time this weekend. Plans still need to be finalized, but if he does make the flight to Ann Arbor, it’ll be nearly a year in the making since Chris Partridge issued the 2026 pass rusher an offer during the spring evaluation period. The sophomore has a connection to the program in Chris Hinton, as they train together.
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