Who’s Next? A look at key underclassmen Michigan targets from Illinois

Michigan scored its sixth verbal commitment of the 2025 recruiting class from four-star Palatine (Ill.) High EDGE Jaylen Williams on Monday. He became the second Chicagoland native prospect this cycle to choose the Wolverines and now joins a class that ranks No. 17 overall on the On3 Industry National Team Recruiting Rankings.

The reigning national champions have landed at least one commit from Illinois in every cycle since 2019 and have maintained a strong presence in the state by offering multiple underclassmen.

The Wolverine examines the five prospects out of The Prairie State in the 2026 and 2027 classes who hold Michigan offers and where things currently stand.

Top 100 DL McHale Blade, Country Club Hills (Ill.) Hillcrest, 2026

Industry Ranking: No. 87 Overall, No. 9 Defensive Lineman, No. 1 in Illinois
RPM: Illinois (34.4%), Notre Dame (20.4%), Purdue (17.5%), Michigan (<1%)
Past U-M Visits: N/A

Along with Williams, a fellow Chicagoland pass rusher in Top 100 EDGE Nate Marshall is also committed to Michigan. New defensive line coach Lou Esposito yields strong recruiting ties in the area because of prior coaching tenures, so it’s not a shock to see the assistant put an offer on the table for the No. 1 defensive lineman next cycle in McHale Blade. The sophomore publicly reported the offer during the spring evaluation period this past month. Relationships will be the number one factor in Blade’s budding commitment, as he’s taken visits to Notre Dame, Purdue, MSU, Northwestern, and Illinois. All five are regional schools, so it increases the likelihood of the Wolverines hosting him at some point, potentially for the BBQ at The Big House in late July or a game this fall.

Top 100 QB Jonas Williams, Frankfort Heights (Ill.) Lincoln-Way East, 2026

Industry Ranking: No. 88 Overall, No. 9 Quarterback, No. 2 in Illinois
RPM: Ohio State (20.2%), Michigan (17.5%), Michigan State (15.0%), Purdue (12.5%)
Past U-M Visits: 3/11/23

Michigan was one of the first Division I programs to enter the mix Jonas Williams, who announced the formal interest following his first-ever trip to Ann Arbor in the spring of last year. He’s yet to return but is among the quarterback targets next cycle being evaluated by offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell. Residing just outside of Chicago, where JJ McCarthy also grew up, that tidbit has inspired Williams, who’s close friends with incoming freshman wide receiver I’Marion Stewart. Williams’ older cousin, Cameron Williams, was on the U-M women’s basketball team before transferring this offseason.

On300 TE Mack Sutter, Dunlap (Ill.) High, 2026

Industry Ranking: No. 120 Overall, No. 5 Tight End, No. 3 in Illinois
RPM: Iowa (89.1%), Wisconsin (1.6%), Michigan (1.4%), Nebraska (1.2%)
Past U-M Visits: 4/20/24

Michigan has one tight end committed this cycle in three-star Eli Owens, projected as an H-back, and is heavily prioritizing Top 100 target Andrew Olesh. Next cycle, new tight ends coach Steve Casula is going after both of the top-ranked Illinois native recruits at the position, including Mack Sutter, whose first appearance in Ann Arbor occurred in late April for the spring game. The Wolverines are working to bring Sutter back to the facilities this month so he can work out in front of the coaching staff. Iowa is the current On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) favorite to land Sutter. Still, the sophomore has ventured to four other Big Ten schools since the fall, including U-M, and made rounds through SEC country to see Ole Miss, Auburn, and Alabama.

On300 TE JC Anderson, Decatur (Ill.) Mt. Zion, 2026

Industry Ranking: No. 146 Overall, No. 6 Tight End, No. 4 in Illinois
RPM: Illinois (28.6%), Notre Dame (18.9%), Iowa (11.0%), Michigan (9.2%)
Past U-M Visits: 6/5/24, 4/20/24

Tight end production and its overall usage from Michigan over the past few seasons greatly impressed JC Anderson and his family when they also took in the spring game two months ago. Meeting with Casula that day led to Anderson leaving Ann Arbor with an offer. Expressing a desire to have further discussions with Casula and head coach Sherrone Moore, the family returned last week for a team-hosted camp at Al Glick Field House. Anderson has undergone other offseason visits to Missouri, Notre Dame, Penn State, Tennessee, and MSU.

Rising QB Trae Taylor, Mundelein (Ill.) Carmel Catholic, 2027

Industry Ranking: N/A
RPM: Michigan (54.9%), Maryland (14.8%), Illinois (8.6%), Purdue (3.7%)
Past U-M Visits: 3/24/24, 11/25/23, 9/16/23, 7/30/23, 6/7/23, 4/1/23, 3/17/23, 10/15/22, 9/17/22, 4/9/22

Michigan holds an early commanding lead for Trae Taylor because of the freshman’s double-digit visits to campus. His first trip occurred when he was a seventh grader. The opportunities to accumulate comfort and familiarity with the Wolverines and build a close relationship with Campbell stem from his association with Sound Mind Sound Body, a Detroit-based 7v7 and recruiting exposure organization that has an excellent working relationship with the Wolverines. Taylor has experienced four game-day atmospheres at The Big House and was recently inside the facilities this past March for spring camp practice. He’s planning another return for the barbecue.

The post Who’s Next? A look at key underclassmen Michigan targets from Illinois appeared first on On3.