Meet The Commits: A look at Michigan’s 2025 recruiting class after flurry of pledges

Michigan Wolverines football added four commitments to its 2025 class from Sunday to Monday, and the Maize and Blue are expected to gain more members of the group in the coming days and weeks.

Michigan’s new pledges are a pair of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy products, four-star running back Donovan Johnson and three-star offensive lineman Kaden Strayhorn, along with four-star New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw wide receiver Jacob Washington and Stockbridge (Ga.) High three-star linebacker Chase Taylor.

Here’s an overview of Michigan’s 2025 class thus far.

Top 100 EDGE Nate Marshall
Commitment Date: April 22, 2024
Hometown: Oak Park, Illinois
School: Fenwick High
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 265lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 45 Overall, No. 4 Defensive Lineman, No. 2 in Illinois
Other Notable Offers: Alabama, Auburn, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, USC
How We Got Here: Nate Marshall‘s His third unofficial visit to Michigan in late April for the spring game led him to announce a commitment that wasn’t foreseen. Marshall’s pledge marks the seventh straight recruiting cycle in which U-M has landed at least one commit from Chicagoland. New defensive line coach Lou Esposito holds significant recruiting ties in the region.
Highlight Tape

Top 100 DB Kainoa Winston
Commitment Date: June 14, 2024
Hometown: Washington D.C.
School: Gonzaga College
Height: 5-foot-10.5
Weight: 184 lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 95 Overall, No. 10 Safety, No. 1 in Washington D.C.
Other Notable Offers: Penn State, Oregon , UNC, Ohio State, LSU, USC
How We Got Here: Kainoa Winston was considered to be a Penn State lean leading up to his June official visit schedule, which had Michigan first on the docket. But the Wolverines sold Winston and his family on the cultural aspect of the program and overall scheme fit. Winston is projected as a nickel at the next level. New defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan did an excellent job of building a relationship with Winston this offseason.
Highlight Tape