The 10 best Michigan recruits I saw on the road in September

A look at the 10 best Michigan recruits I saw on the road in September based on their in-game performances and not necessarily how I would rank them.

10. WR I’Marion Stewart, Chicago (Ill.) Kenwood

Stewart totaled 50 yards of offense and a touchdown in Kenwood’s win over rival Chicago (Ill.) Simeon. The contest featured non-stop rain, but Stewart was still able to make plays while lining up at quarterback, wide receiver and cornerback. Stewart also had two punt returns for touchdowns called back during the game. While his stat box numbers weren’t amazing, the four-star Michigan commit showed plenty of versatility and big play ability. He will play in the slot and out wide in Ann Arbor and will also have a chance to make an immediate impact as a punt returner.

9. CB Chris Ewald, Miami (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna (2025)

Ewald allowed just one reception of 10-plus yards in Chaminade-Madonna’s win over Miami (Fla.) Central in a battle of two teams ranked in the Top 10 nationally. It was a pretty quiet night for Ewald overall. However, quiet is usually good when you play the cornerback position. Ewald is still filling out his skinny frame, but the 5-foot-11, 161-pounder showed off his elite technique and patience as well as his length. The Top 100 prospect committed to Michigan over Auburn, Florida State, Miami, Tennessee and others in December of last year. Michigan is working hard to keep him in the class.

8. S Messiah Delhomme, Newport News (Va.) Warwick (2025)

Michigan safeties coach Jay Harbaugh offered Delhomme when no service had him ranked. Now a four-star prospect, it’s easy to see why Delhomme is one of the biggest risers in the country for next cycle. A Swiss Army knife, Delhomme played running back, wide receiver, safety, cornerback and also returned kicks and punts in Warwick’s blowout 63-0 win over Hampton (Va.) Kecoughtan. Delhomme finished the night with half a dozen tackles, no completions allowed and a touchdown on the ground. Michigan is currently in his Top 2 along with Florida State.

7. EDGE Jaylen Williams, Palatine (Ill.) High (2025)

At 6-foot-6, 280 pounds, Williams is a monster off the edge and a top priority for Michigan next cycle. The On300 prospect recorded five tackles, several quarterback hurries and one sack in Palatine’s 49-20 win over Evanston (Ill.) High. Williams is listed as a defensive lineman, but he is being recruited for the bigger EDGE spot at U-M. Williams is a perfect fit for that role as he’s extremely athletic and quick for his size. Williams is still a little raw technically, but he knows how to get after the quarterback and also plays well against the run. Michigan is high on his mind along with Florida State, Georgia, Miami, USC and others.

6. DL Owen Wafle, Princeton (N.J.) Hun School

One of the most underrated recruits in the country, Wafle has been knocked for not having NFL measureables. However, he shares a lot of similarities with Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham and will also have a chance to make an immediate impact in Ann Arbor. The three-star Michigan commit is powerful and explosive in the trenches. He was almost impossible to stop in Hun’s 52-6 blowout win over Oakdale (Conn.) St. Thomas More, recording several tackles and a sack. Wafle is also deceptively athletic and made a couple of plays on offense as a fullback. Wafle committed to Michigan in June and is fully locked in with the Wolverines.

5. EDGE Ari Watford, Norfolk (Va.) Maury (2025)

Watford probably would have been higher on this list, but he only played a half in Maury’s 68-8 win over Portsmouth (Va.) Norcom. A Top 10 prospect nationally next cycle, Watford is an elite pass rusher and checks the boxes as an immediate impact player at the next level. Watford recorded four tackles and got after the opposing quarterback a ton in the contest. While his stats weren’t off the charts, Watford commanded extra attention and flashed the traits that make him one of the best in the country for next cycle. Watford has an impressive frame at 6-foot-5, 235 pounds and also boasts plenty of length and athleticism. Michigan is in the mix here along with Clemson, Penn State, South Carolina and others.

4. S DJ Pickett, Zephyrhills (Fla.) High (2025)

A five-star prospect and the No. 1 safety in the country next cycle, Pickett is a can’t miss prospect on the back end. At 6-foot-3, 170 pounds, Pickett has tremendous length and excellent speed for his size. Pickett patrolled the secondary and didn’t see much action come his way in Zephyrhills’ 35-13 win over New Port Richey (Fla.) Gulf. However, he was a big weapon on the offensive side of the ball, racking up more than 100 yards receiving and a touchdown. Some schools have actually talked to Pickett about playing on both sides of the ball. Michigan is high on his list early on along with Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Miami, Oregon, Texas and others.

3. WR Talyn Taylor, Geneva (Ill.) Community (2025)

A Top 100 prospect, Taylor could be in the five-star discussion by the end of next cycle. The 6-foot-1, 165 pounder is an explosive weapon that can line up in the slot or on the outside. He has a terrific catch radius to go along with elite body control. Taylor is also a natural pass catcher and high level route runner. He actually reminded me a bit of New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who I covered extensively as a recruit. Taylor finished with more than 100 yards and three total touchdowns in Geneva Community’s 41-7 win over Roselle (Ill.) Lake Park. Michigan is a contender along with Georgia, Notre Dame, USC and others.

2. WR Quincy Porter, Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic (2025)

I’m a sucker for big receivers, but Porter is much more than a big body. The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder has plenty of speed for his size and can stretch the field vertically as well as rack up plenty of yards after the catch. Of course, Porter knows how to use his size to his advantage as well and is a valuable red zone target. He is exactly the type of wide out Michigan needs to land next cycle. A Top 100 prospect, Porter racked up more than 100 yards receiving and four touchdowns in a 38-7 win over New Rochelle (N.Y.) Iona Prep. Michigan is high on his list along with Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, Penn State and others.

1. LB Kamar Archie, Princeton (N.J.) Hun School (2025)

The next Jabrill Peppers? That’s who Michigan linebackers coach Chris Partridge brought up when talking to Archie about a player comparison. And I’m buying into the hype. The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder is a freak of an athlete that fills gaps in a hurry, gets sideline-to-sideline and is comfortable dropping back into coverage. A Top 100 prospect, Archie is also a force on the offensive side of the ball. In fact, he started at running back and scored four touchdowns in Hun’s 52-6 blowout win over Oakdale (Conn.) St. Thomas More. Archie could legitimately see time on both sides of the ball at the next level. Michigan is high on his mind along with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Oklahoma, Penn State and others.

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