Rising 2027 QB target Daniel Mielke details third visit to Ann Arbor: ‘There’s a standard at Michigan’

Michigan has a quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class in On300 Ft. Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot star Carter Smith. His unwavering status has allowed quarterbacks coach and newly promoted offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell to concentrate heavily on underclassmen targets.

Of the two offered 2027 signal-callers, both have been to Ann Arbor this spring, including Fontana (Calif.) Ontario Christian’s Daniel Mielke, who returned to campus this past Thursday for a multi-day visit.

“I definitely got a lot more time with the coaching staff this time around,” Mielke told The Wolverine. “I spent a lot of time with Coach Campbell and Coach Sinagoga. It was a really good time. I got to sit in on a couple of meetings just seeing the coaches unfiltered, not really trying to show up because there’s a recruit there, more of them just being a coach. I think it was a really good opportunity just to look and see the behind the scenes of it all. I mean, it’s a national championship team, so it’s obviously really cool to get to see what goes on in the room.”

Michigan is in the midst of a heated quarterback battle for the starting job next season, and how the room is competing amongst each other in practice impressed Mielke.

“Quarterbacks looked really good,” Mielke said. “I think it’s going to be a tough choice because they have a couple of those quarterbacks in there that are fighting for that number one spot. I think you can take, I’d say, any of those guys in that room and put them as a starter, and they would do well. So, it’s going to be a tough fight.”

Since the beginning of March, visiting gunslinger recruits have highly regarded the time U-M’s quarterbacks have given to them in building connections. That was no different when Mielke was inside Schembechler Hall.

“I was able to communicate with all of them as far as asking questions I had, seeing how they react to Coach Campbell’s coaching, getting to spend a little bit of time with them, seeing how they interact with the team, and how they lead a team,” Mielke said. “Especially at practice. There’s a difference, I think, watching a high school quarterback versus watching one of these guys lead a team.”

Aside from speaking to Jadyn Davis, Alex Orji, Davis Warren, and others, Mielke had in-depth meetings with both Campbell and offensive analyst Josh Sinagoga, who are leading the way in his recruitment. They explained to Mielke the expectations Michigan has for its quarterbacks, how the university would prepare a quarterback for the NFL, and how it would help set them up for life after football.

“Number one, both of those coaches are geniuses when it comes to football,” Mielke said. “Listening to them explain the plays, explain how they break things down. It is a pro-style, and if you go through that offense for four years, you’re going to be able to start in the NFL. I think they do a very good job at it. Obviously, there’s a guy like Jadyn Davis who’s only been there for a couple of months, but he’s almost already up to speed. He’s being quizzed constantly. He’s learning a lot in that room. I think it shows once he gets on the field, there’s a lot more confidence earlier on just because of how good they’re coaching it.”

Results of Campbell’s and Sinagoga’s teachings can be seen with JJ McCarthy, who could very well be taken in the first five picks in the upcoming NFL Draft.

“It shows that they don’t just talk about producing results, they’re actually doing it,” Mielke said. “So, I think it’s a big deal to me to see them producing next-level quarterbacks.”

Head coach Sherrone Moore had his hand in developing McCarthy while holding the role as Michigan’s offensive coordinator. His elevation earlier in the offseason and his impact through the first three months reflects the team’s culture, according to Mielke.

“I think there’s a standard at Michigan,” Mielke said. “I think Coach Moore has now taken over that standard and he’s only making it better. So, I don’t think there’s going to be any drop-off or any changes with Michigan. The standard is already there.”

The coaching staff discussed seeing Mielke during the spring evaluation period, which begins on April 15.

“As far as how they’ve treated me the best and shown the most hospitality, Michigan is up there right now,” Mielke said.

Along with Michigan, Mielke currently holds notable offers from Georgia, Arizona State, Boston College, Nebraska, Indiana, and others. At 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, he’s not yet listed on the On3 Industry Ranking.

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