Recruiting Roundup: Top-100 WR visiting for Michigan vs Ohio State

The most important recruiting weekend of the season is almost here, as several top recruits will be in Ann Arbor to witness the greatest rivalry in sports. Ahead of this pivotal weekend, there’s plenty of recruiting news to get to today. Let’s start things off with a pass catcher making his first trip to Ann Arbor this weekend.

2027 four-star wide receiver Jaden Upshaw, who recently included Michigan in his Top-10, is coming to Ann Arbor this weekend to take in The Game. He’s been planning on coming to this game for a while, right after he picked up an offer for the Wolverines.

Upshaw, who is ranked 78th in his class and 14th among wide receivers on the 247Sports composite, spoke about the bond he’s developed with Michigan receivers coach Ron Bellamy with The Wolverine’s Ethan McDowell ($).

“Michigan’s definitely been a school that has been in contact with me for a long time,” Upshaw said. “Coach Bellamy’s talking to me about football all the time, and I just feel like they’re a great program.”

Upshaw is in no rush to make a decision, as he plans on taking a few spring visits before taking official visits this summer. But a victory at the Big House, when the stadium is at its loudest, would certainly help Michigan’s chances with him.

And of course, Michigan has an enticing recruiting tool a lot of schools don’t have — a star quarterback.

“Really just the history behind the school,” Upshaw said. “It’s definitely a great program, a winning program, and they always have a great quarterback coming out every year. Who doesn’t want to be with a great quarterback? Right now, they’ve got Bryce Underwood.”

Top committed players often come back to take to Ann Arbor to take in the rivalry, and 2026 four-star edge Julian Walker will be among the commits in attendance on Saturday.

Ahead of National Signing Day next Wednesday, Dec. 3, South Carolina continues to push for Walker, which makes sense considering his father is on the strength and conditioning staff for the Gamecocks.

The visit on Saturday will make or break whether or not he sticks with Michigan, but going into the trip, Walker is excited to have a good time.

“I feel good,” Walker told McDowell ($). “Go Blue, you know?…(Those are) my guys. I’m excited to get down there next week. I’m really excited. I can’t wait. I’m telling you, I can’t wait. I’ve had that marked on my calendar for a long time.”

What Michigan has going in its favor is another edge commit in Carter Meadows developing a bond with Walker.

“We’re hungry, and we’re hunting,” Walker said. “We’re striving for something, and it’s great to see all of us eating.”

One other important thing to note in this visit — one of most important people in his life has yet to visit Ann Arbor with him.

“I feel like this last piece is really just for mom,” Walker said. “I need mom to see it. She’s a big factor in my recruitment. Her and my sister, being close to them, I need her to see it. Her opinion matters to me a lot.”

You can never have too many defensive backs on your team, and it sounds like Michigan is going to make a push for a talented player in the 2027 class.

Isala Wily-Ava, a four-star defensive back ranked 24th among safeties on the composite, included Michigan in his Top-8 list recently alongside Hawaii, Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M and Washington. He will also be in Ann Arbor this weekend and is looking forward to the visit.

“The only schools I haven’t been to among that group are Michigan, Oregon and Tennessee,” Wily-Ava told Rivals’ Greg Biggins ($). “I’m going to visit Michigan this weekend for the Ohio State game and super excited about it.”

Wily-Ava didn’t go in-depth as to why Michigan was included on his top list, but he did say Michigan is one of the five schools he wants to take an official visit to, along with Ohio State, Oregon, Washington and Texas A&M.

“I plan to commit in the spring,” he said. “Once I set my official visits and get those lined up, I’ll have a better idea but it will be in the spring so I don’t have to worry about recruiting in the summer and can just focus on football.”

Tons of defensive backs got offered this week, including:

• Four-star cornerback Raheem Floyd

• Four-star cornerback Montre Jackson

• Three-star safety Kenaz Sullivan

• Three-star cornerback Mikhail McCreary

• Four-star cornerback Allen “LA” Evans

2027 three-star running back Jayshon “Fats” Gibson was also offered by Michigan this week.