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2025 Recruiting Update: July 2, 2023

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2025

Lehi (UT) Skyridge offensive guard Darius Afalava was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 280 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona, Arizona State, LSU, Oregon, and Washington, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #13 interior offensive lineman, and #274 overall.

Greenwich (CT) Brunswick offensive tackle Matty Augustine was offered by Michigan on a visit swing through the midwest. He’s a 6’7″, 280-pounder with offers from Kentucky, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Penn State, plus others.

Chicago (IL) Simeon defensive end Christopher Burgess, Jr. was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’4″, 230 lb. edge player with offers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and more. He’s a 4-star, the #19 edge, and #200 overall. Simeon is the alma mater of Michigan staffer Chris Bryant, who was a 4-star recruit whose career was cut short by injury. Burgess visited Michigan a couple weekends ago.

Hit the jump for more.

2023 Season Countdown: #91 Amir Herring

Name: Amir Herring
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 305 lbs.
High school: West Bloomfield (MI) West Bloomfield
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #56
Last year: Herring was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 85 pancake blocks.
TTB Rating: 73

Herring was a long-time Michigan lean who at one point seemed unlikely to end up in Michigan’s class. How is that possible? Well, it seemed at times like Michigan was not pursuing Herring heavily, even though he was offered on July 1, 2020 (today’s the three-year anniversary!). Pegged as a tackle early in his recruitment, his lack of height eventually led to him being ranked as an interior lineman. Word on the street was that Michigan wasn’t really sold on taking him unless he was open to playing center, but once that was ironed out, he became a take.

Herring enrolled early back in January and participated in the spring game, where he started for one squad at right guard. He performed well, and he has a college-ready build at 6’3″ and 305 lbs. Whether he can hold up at guard or will eventually have to slide over to center once a spot opens remains to be seen: Drake Nugent, Greg Crippen, and Raheem Anderson are all older with the ability to play center. For now Herring might be the most college ready offensive lineman in the class, but with the depth on the line, he may still be buried. My guess is that he plays in a few early-season games, but not enough to burn his redshirt.

Prediction: Redshirt

Jeremiah Beasley, Wolverine

Belleville (MI) Belleville linebacker Jeremiah Beasley committed to Michigan on Wednesday night. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Florida, Michigan State, Missouri, and Tennessee, among others.

Beasley is listed anywhere from 6’1″ to 6’2″ and 208-220 lbs. As a junior in 2022, Beasley ran for 1,250 yards and scored 27 touchdowns, along with making 108 tackles.

RANKINGS
ESPN: 3-star, 79 grade, #15 ILB
On3: 4-star, 90 grade, #20 LB, #264 overall
Rivals: 4-star, 5.8 grade, #28 OLB
247 Sports: 4-star, 90 grade, #25 LB, #237 overall

Hit the jump for more.

2023 Season Countdown: #92 Cristian Dixon

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Name: Cristian Dixon
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 195 lbs.
High school: Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #85
Last year: I ranked Dixon #68 and said he would be a backup wide receiver (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: 75

Dixon has been ranked in the sixties for the past couple years, and he has turned his opportunities into three games played and 1 catch for 7 yards. Despite opportunities opening up for wide receivers with an injury to Ronnie Bell in 2021 and Mike Sainristil moving to defense in 2022, Dixon has been biding his time on the bench. Last season he only played against Colorado State. There are plenty of walk-ons who got more playing time.

So now I’m dropping Dixon to #92. Every time a younger receivers hits campus, it seems like they earn more hype than Dixon: Darrius Clemons, Tyler Morris, Fredrick Moore, Semaj Morgan, etc. Walk-ons Peyton O’Leary and Jake Thaw have shown more than Dixon. This season there will be some snaps open where Ronnie Bell used to play, but I don’t think Dixon will benefit much.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver

2023 Season Countdown: #93 Brandyn Hillman

Name: Brandyn Hillman
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 191 lbs.
High school: Portsmouth (VA) Churchland
Position: Safety
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Hillman was a senior in high school (LINK). He passed for 1,312 yards and 11 touchdowns, and he ran for an additional 1,236 yards and 22 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 83

Hillman was a late flip from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. After signing with the Golden Domers, there was an issue with his transcript that wouldn’t allow him to enroll. At that point he was released from his National Letter of Intent. Michigan, which hadn’t even offered him during the cycle, saw he was available, threw him an offer, got him to visit, and then got him to sign. It was quite a stroke of luck for the Wolverines.

Hillman is an excellent athlete with quarterback experience, and quarterbacks often translate well to the college game. We’ve seen it with various players in recent years, including Desmond Morgan (QB to LB), Courtney Avery (QB to CB), Zach Gentry (QB to TE), Michael Barrett (QB to LB), and Luke Schoonmaker (QB to TE). All those players did well, but there is usually a period of transition to the college game; even Desmond Morgan, who played defense in high school, needed time to get ready. Furthermore, Michigan is in pretty good shape at safety with Makari Paige and Rod Moore as the starters, plus a few quality second-year players like Keon Sabb and Zeke Berry. Hillman has a chance to be a good player down the road, and I think he might start getting some experience as a backup and/or on special teams this season.

Prediction: Backup safety and special teamer