It’s clear that Michigan is placing a large emphasis on recruiting the South in the first full cycle of the Sherrone Moore era. Of the Wolverines’ 13 verbal commitments in the class of 2025, eight have come from players located south of the Mason-Dixon Line.

One of those pledges came from three-star Stockbridge (Ga.) linebacker Chase Taylor, who committed to Michigan on June 24 among a final grouping which included South Carolina, Georgia Tech and USC.

Taylor has been a productive player each of the last two years in high school. Per MaxPreps, Taylor totaled 66 tackles with three sacks during his sophomore season in 2022. That was followed up by a junior season in which Taylor tallied 73 tackles, with six tackles for loss, six sacks and three forced fumbles. His junior season highlight reels can be watched here.

While listed as a three-star recruit, Taylor’s offer sheet suggests he’s underrated as a prospect. The 6-foot-3, 201-pounder has drawn 27 scholarship offers from FBS-level programs, with the likes of Tennessee, Florida State, Clemson and LSU showing interest in addition to his final grouping. Taylor is considered the No. 588 overall prospect, No. 63 linebacker and No. 65 player from the state of Georgia in the 2025 recruiting class, according to 247Sports’ Composite rankings.

Michigan linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale did an excellent job in the battle for Taylor’s commitment, which was wrapped up when the Peach State native took an official visit to Ann Arbor back on June 21. That was the fourth official visit for Taylor, who also took trips to USC (May 31), South Carolina (June 7) and Georgia Tech (June 14) this summer.

The Wolverines’ missed on four-star Trenton (N.J.) Hun linebacker target Kamar Archie earlier this week, but remain in a fierce battle with Notre Dame and others for Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy’s Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng (No. 70 overall) at the position.

In addition to Archie, the Wolverines have seen four other high-profile prospects commit to other programs in four-star Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Joseph defensive lineman Maxwell Roy (Ohio State), four-star Brooklin (Mass.) Dexter interior offensive lineman Hardy Watts (Wisconsin), four-star Danville (Calif.) San Ramon Valley edge rusher Marco Jones (Texas A&M) and four-star Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman interior offensive lineman Seuseu Alofaituli.

Good news could be on the way next week for Michigan however, as the Wolverines are the current favorites to land four-star Center Valley (Pa.) Southern Lehigh tight end Andrew Olesh (No. 121) and three-star Destrehan (La.) wide receiver Phillip Wright (No. 533). Olesh — who is also considering Alabama and Penn State — is set to announce his commitment on July 8, while Wright will make his announcement on July 13 between Michigan and Georgia Tech.

Michigan’s 2025 recruiting class is currently ranked No. 22 in the country and No. 7 in the Big Ten, through the Wolverines average player ranking of 91.03 is the third-best mark in the conference.

– Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI –

More Michigan News:

Michigan Football Makes Top Group For 4-Star, Top 100 Prospect

Massive Michigan Football Target Set To Make Decision Next Week

Lou Esposito Is Bringing The Heat On The Recruiting Trail For Michigan Football

For additional coverage of University of Michigan athletics:

A picture has emerged of the completely wrecked Dodge Charger that was carrying Minnesota Vikings player Khyree Jackson and two others when they tragically died in a car crash.

Jackson, 24, was killed along with former high school teammates Anthony Lytton Jr., 24, and Isaiah Hazel, 23, in a three-car accident in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

His mother, Ebbony Jackson, confirmed the news to TMZ on Saturday, saying she received a call about his death in the early hours of Saturday morning. 

Jackson and Hazel were both pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical services, Maryland Police said. Meanwhile, Lytton was transported to hospital where he later died. 

Images show the completely disfigured and squashed Charger being taken away from the scene by a tow truck. The flattened vehicle appears to have had its back part completely torn off. 

Minnesota Vikings draftee Khyree Jackson died in a car accident at the young age of 24

The accident occurred at around 3am ET Saturday when a woman, identified as Cori Clingman, driving a silver Infinity attempted to change lanes on Route 4 at a high speed, police believe.

She struck the Dodge Charger, driven by Hazel and carrying Jackson and Lytton, which collided with another vehicle causing the Dodge to careen off the road, hitting multiple tree stops before eventually coming to a stop.

Clingman had two other passengers in her vehicle at the time of the crash, while the other driver was the only occupant of his Chevrolet. No one else was injured in the accident.

Maryland police have launched an investigation into the fatal crash, believing alcohol may have been involved.

Hazel played at Maryland and Charlotte, while Lytton played at Florida State and Penn State. 

Cornerback Jackson’s shock death comes just under three months since he was selected by the Vikings in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Minnesota took Jackson with the 108th overall pick in the fourth round, following his collegiate career for both the Oregon Ducks and Alabama Crimson Tide. 

He was in consideration to be a starter for the Vikings for the upcoming NFL season.

His former high school teammates Anthony Lytton Jr. (L) and Isaiah Hazel (R) also died

Jackson is pictured with quarterback and fellow draftee JJ McCarthy at rookie camp in May 

The Vikings, owners Mark and Zygi Wilf and head coach Kevin O’Connell all paid moving tributes to Jackson on Saturday – with the franchise admitting they are ‘devastated’.

The team’s statement read: ‘We are devastated by the news of Khyree Jackson’s death following an overnight car accident.

‘While we work to gather more information, we have spoken to Khyree’s family and offered the support of the Minnesota Vikings.

‘We have also communicated the news to Vikings players, coaches and staff and have offered counseling for those who need emotional support. 

‘Our thoughts are with Khyree’s family, friends, teammates and coaches, as well as all the victims of this tragic accident.’

Owners Mark and Zygi Wilf added: ‘We are deeply saddened by the news of Khyree’s passing. 

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell admitted he was ‘at a loss for words’ after the news broke

‘Khyree had an extremely bright future ahead of him as a player, and it was clear he was dedicated to being a tremendous person who made a positive difference in people’s lives. 

‘We are thinking about Khyree’s family and friends and all members of the Minnesota Vikings following this devastating loss.’

‘I am absolutely crushed by this news. Khyree brought a contagious energy to our facility and our team,’ added Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell.

‘His confidence and engaging personality immediately drew his teammates to him. 

‘In our short time together, it was evident Khyree was going to develop into a tremendous professional football player, but what was more impressive was his desire to become the best person he could be for his family and those around him.

‘I am at a loss for words. My heart goes out to Khyree’s family, friends, teammates and coaches.’

Texas and Oklahoma are now officially members of the SEC, which means league administrators can end the charade of trying to pair Missouri with Arkansas as conference rivals.

Stop it. Stop it now.

Arkansas and Missouri are not rivals, even though a segment of Arkansas fans have grown increasingly irritated or maybe even jealous by the success Alma’s Eli Drinkwitz has had with the Tigers.

Texas is Arkansas’ No. 1 rival, always has been, and that’ll become apparent to a whole new generation of Razorback fans now that the Longhorns are SEC members.

In 1990, I sat in a packed room on the University of Arkansas campus and listened as Frank Broyles announced the Razorbacks were leaving the Southwest Conference and joining the SEC. There were cheers and smiles all around, including on the face of then-SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer, who donned a Hog hat for the occasion.

Days after the move, Broyles said he still wanted to keep Texas and Texas A&M on the schedule. There was some speculation Texas and Texas A&M would follow Arkansas into the SEC, but politics in the Lone Star State got in the way at the time and the Aggies broke free later.

No one with any influence on the matter stood in the way last week when the SEC welcomed Texas and Oklahoma into a conference that now includes 16 members. Even with expansion, the SEC was able to maintain a regional and cultural footprint unlike the Big Ten, which now extends from coast-to-coast after adding Oregon and Washington along with Southern Cal and UCLA.

I can’t think of anything a surfer dude in California has in common with an ice fisherman in Minnesota or with a guy in Maryland who loves to go sail boating with his sweater tied around his neck. Southerners from Texas to South Carolina argue about everything, including which state has the best barbecue. I prefer Memphis-style pork barbecue, although I’d never turn down a mesquite-smoked beef brisket from deep in the heart of Texas.

Southerners care passionately about football, and Arkansas fans who’ve been around for decades have experienced the heartache following losses to Texas. I’ve talked to grown men who still get misty-eyed while discussing the so-called “Game of the Century” on Dec. 6, 1969, when No. 1 Texas rallied from a 14-0 deficit to defeat No. 2 Arkansas 15-14 in Fayetteville. It’s not just that game where Arkansas appeared to be the better team only to see Texas prevail.

In 1977, long before I became a sports writer, I sat with a group of friends watching as Arkansas took a 9-0 lead over Texas. But just when victory for the Razorbacks appeared imminent, the Longhorns unleashed a brute of a man who changed the trajectory of the game.

Earl Campbell is his name, and he carried Porkers on his back or dragged them with his huge thighs for 188 yards that day. Texas completed only four passes in the game, but one was a screen pass to Campbell, who went 31 yards to set up the game-winning touchdown in a 13-9 victory for the Longhorns.

Crushed again and Texas adds to the agony by insisting beating Texas A&M or LSU is more important to its fans than beating Arkansas. Probably so, especially now with Arkansas in a prolonged tailspin for football.

In the old Southwest Conference, Arkansas could count on piling up wins before facing Texas each year. Not so in the SEC, where Arkansas will face Auburn, Texas A&M, Tennessee, LSU, Mississippi State and Ole Miss before tangling with Texas at home on Nov. 16. That’s an absolutely brutal schedule, but Texas doesn’t have it easy either, starting with a nonconference game on the road against defending national champion Michigan on Sept. 7. The Longhorns will then face Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Georgia, Vanderbilt and Florida as an SEC member before renewing its rivalry with Arkansas.

It’s a whole new world with the SEC clearly the dominant conference for football. Texas is here and they’ve brought Oklahoma along with them.

The only question is whether Arkansas is ready for the challenge.