Brandywine (MD) Gwynn Park defensive end Devon Baxter committed to Michigan on Monday evening. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Maryland, Penn State, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech, among others.
Baxter is a 6’6″, 235 lb. prospect. As a junior in 2022, he made 48 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. He also caught 12 passes for 181 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Name: Hayden Moore Height: 6’3″ Weight: 205 lbs. High school: Parker (CO) Regis Jesuit Position: Linebacker Class: Freshman Jersey number: N/A Last year: Moore was a senior in high school. He made 197 tackles, 7 sacks, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble. TTB Rating: N/A
Moore was committed to Nebraska for several months in the 2023 cycle, pledging in June of 2022 and then staying committed until mid-December. However, an offer came from Michigan and an official visit in December sealed the deal, resulting in a pledge to the Wolverines and signing in December. It was a bit of a head-scratcher for Michigan, coming off of a Big Ten championship and “reaching” for the #1164 overall player in the country, according to the 247 Composite.
That being said, Moore is a good athlete who seems undervalued at that ranking. While I do not see him as a high-level athlete, I wouldn’t bat an eyelash if he was ranked in the 500s or 600s. He has good size, decent speed, and a reputation as a tackling machine – his 197 tackles led the state of Colorado in 2022. I’m not quite sure where he fits at Michigan. I don’t think he has the bend – he plays a little high – to be an edge rusher, and I don’t see the athleticism to run sideline-to-sideline as an inside linebacker. In other words, I don’t see him being a major factor on a team with the ability to recruit elite athletes, but he could be a guy who goes somewhere like Boston College or, ahem, Nebraska, and finds a good amount of success. He can play in the Big Ten. Can he play at Michigan? Time will tell.
As for the 2023 season, Moore is a little light and needs some development, coming from playing the SAM linebacker spot in a 3-3 stack defense. I think he’s likely to redshirt, but special teams play could be in consideration, and even some late-season developmental time might be in order.
You all thought Aaron Chiles was going to commit to Michigan, didn’t you? So did I.
COMMITMENTS
Las Vegas (NV) Bishop Gorman running back Micah Ka’apana committed to Michigan (LINK).
Charlotte (NC) West linebacker Jaden Smith committed to Michigan (LINK).
Chicago (IL) Kenwood wide receiver I’Marion Stewart committed to Michigan (LINK).
ADDED TO THE BOARD
LaGrange (GA) Troup County linebacker Qua Birdsong (4-star, #27 LB, #310 overall) decommitted from Cincinnati after about two months. He took an official visit to North Carolina State over the weekend.
Philadelphia (PA) Roman Catholic wide receiver Tyseer Denmark (4-star, #33 WR, #227 overall) decommitted from Oregon, and crystal balls started flying in for him to commit to the Penn State Nittany Lions.
OFF THE BOARD
Chattanooga (TN) Bradley Central athlete Boo Carter (4-star, #17 ATH, #207 overall) committed to Tennessee. He had officially visited Michigan and is a 7-on-7 teammate of Michigan safety commit Jacob Oden, so there was an opportunity for the Wolverines to land his commitment, but ultimately, he decided to stay home.
Olney (MD) Good Counsel linebacker Aaron Chiles (4-star, #6 LB, #80 overall) committed to Florida. Chiles was considered to be a strong Michigan lean and almost committed on his unofficial visit this spring. He was scheduled to take an official visit to Ann Arbor next week, but he pulled the trigger in Gainesville this past weekend, which was a big weekend for the Gators as they landed four 4-star commitments on Saturday.
Las Vegas (NV) Bishop Gorman running back Micah Ka’apana (image via Twitter)
Las Vegas (NV) Bishop Gorman running back Micah Ka’apana committed to Michigan on Saturday. He picked the Wolverines over offers from BYU, Hawaii, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, and Utah, among others.
Ka’apana is listed at 5’11” and 195 lbs. As a junior in 2022, he rushed 70 times for 1,001 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has been selected for the 2024 Polynesian Bowl.
Chicago (IL) Kenwood wide receiver I’Marion Stewart (image via On3)
Chicago (IL) Kenwood wideout I’Marion Stewart committed to Michigan on Friday evening. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Georgia, Miami, Oregon, Penn State, Ole Miss, and Tennessee, among others.
