Michigan

Recruiting Roundup: Four-star edge explains decision to commit to Michigan

Published

6 months ago

July 2, 2024

Recruiting Roundup: Four-star edge explains decision to commit to Michigan

The Michigan Wolverines have been hot on the recruiting trail coming out of official visits. They have received commitments from eight players — including one on Saturday — since the beginning on June, and more appear to be on the horizon, perhaps as soon as today.

In today’s Recruiting Roundup, we will dive into why Michigan’s latest commitment decided on playing college football in Ann Arbor, a four-star edge making his commitment today, and a really positive update on a four-star wide receiver.

Four-star edge expands on commitment to U-M

On Saturday afternoon, 2025 four-star edge Julius Holly became the latest player to commit to the Wolverines. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder hails from the state of Georgia and chose Michigan over his other three finalists, Georgia, Texas A&M and Ole Miss.

But why Michigan? Holly spoke about that and more with On3’s Chad Simmons.

“Since that visit to Michigan, me and my family have been talking Big Blue every day, all day,” Holly said. “Georgia was a close runner up, and all four schools were great, but the in the end it is Michigan because of the people up there. Going into the visit, I knew about their academics and the football history, but the feeling around the people made it different.

This was a pretty quick recruitment for the Wolverines, as new defensive line coach Lou Esposito offered Holly a scholarship on May 20 and got him up for his official visit the first weekend in June. He took subsequent official visits to his other three finalists, but ultimately chose the Wolverines.

Holly is the fourth defensive lineman to commit to Michigan in this class, joining in-state four-star Bobby Kanka, four-star Jaylen Williams and four-star Nate Marshall. Kanka is set for the interior, while Marshall and Williams are both flex guys, making Holly the first true edge defender to join Michigan’s 2025 class.

Top edge target announcing commitment today

While one four-star edge in the 2025 class joined the Wolverines over the weekend, another very well could be on the way as soon as today.

Over the weekend, 247Sports’ Brandon Huffman reported that four-star Marco Jones is set to make his commitment today, July 2. He will make his announcement on his YouTube channel and will choose between Michigan, Texas A&M, USC and Texas.

Jones took official visits to all four of his finalists in June, with Michigan being his first destination. There are predictions in for Texas A&M, so it’s not looking likely he will end up in Ann Arbor, but with recruiting, anything can happen.

At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, Jones is one of the premier edge talents in the country. He ranks No. 157 overall, No 15 along the edge and No. 14 from the state of California, per 247Sports’ composite. Should Jones choose Michigan, Esposito would have landed four (!) top targets along the defensive line since taking over as defensive line coach in March.

Top WR target expands on recent OV, returning this month

Four-star wide receiver Andrew Marsh is one of Ron Bellamy’s biggest overall targets in the 2025 class. The 6-foot-1, 173-pounder from Katy, Texas was originally intending on officially visiting this fall, but instead canceled his trip to Oklahoma and went to Ann Arbor instead for the final official visit weekend of June. It’s no wonder that the Wolverines have received numerous expert predictions to eventually land him.

In speaking with On3’s EJ Holland ($), Marsh spoke highly of his time at Michigan, saying he, “felt like a priority and like someone they really want up there.”

Part of the reason he felt like a priority — the aforementioned Bellamy. He has formed a tight relationship with Marsh, and that is paying off big time for Michigan.

“(Seeing Bellamy) was good as well,” Marsh said. “It’s always good to see him. I know he was happy that I came back up there. It was good getting to talk to him again. He’s really personable. You can talk to him about anything. We vibe on every level — football and outside of football. You can talk to him about whatever. He’s a really good person.”

The No. 48 overall prospect in his class, per the 247Sports composite, will be back in Ann Arbor later this month for the yearly BBQ at the Big House, and he also intends on visiting Washington that same weekend.

Finally, Holland reported that Marsh is “strongly considering” moving up his timeline from November to August. If that happens, that could spell great news for the Wolverines.

Quick Hitters

Brady Hart, Michigan’s four-star quarterback commit in the 2026 class, shined this past weekend at the Under Armour Future 50 event in Florida. He earned On3’s MVP for Day 2, and was also a standout among evaluators on Day 1. He’s already a top-100 talent, but it appears he could rise even higher in the rankings.
Get to know the name Gregory Patrick. He’s a 2026 four-star offensive line recruit from the state of Michigan. He spoke with 247Sports’ Brice Marich ($) about how hard the coaching staff is pushing for him — very hard, by the sounds of it — and how the aforementioned Hart committing to the Wolverines is helping their cause. Oh, and he may be back for the BBQ at the Big House.
Another 2026 name to know: Kevin Brown. He’s nearly a five-star player on the 247Sports composite and just earned his offer from Michigan on Saturday (it was a long time coming). At 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, this kid — yes, kid, even at that size — is an athletic freak.

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Michigan

Michigan State Spartans Insider Podcast: Recapping Spartans’ Win Over Oakland

Published

7 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Press Room

Michigan State Spartans Insider Podcast: Recapping Spartans’ Win Over Oakland

DETROIT, Mich. — No. 20 Michigan State earned its third double-digit victory on Tuesday, defeating Oakland, 77-58, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

The score wasn’t a very accurate representation of the meeting, as Oakland tested the Spartans for most of the game — it wasn’t until late in the second half that the Spartans really began to pull away.

Michigan State had just a 1-point lead at halftime, having only scored 31 points through the first 20 minutes. But halftime adjustments were made, and the Spartans eventually found an offensive rhythm while locking down the Golden Grizzlies on defense, holding Oakland to just 28 points in the second half.

Michigan State had three players finish in double figures in the scoring column — sophomore forward Xavier Booker, who recorded a career-high 18 points, senior guard Jaden Akins, who posted 16 and junior forward Jaxon Kohler, who earned his third straight double-double, scoring 14 points while grabbing 10 boards.

Our Michigan State beat reporter, Aidan Champion, recaps the contest on this latest postgame edition of the Michigan State Spartans Insider Podcast.

You can watch the episode below:

Below is a partial transcript from Michigan State coach Tom Izzo’s opening statement of his postgame press conference:

Izzo: “For the people down here — I mean, there’s part of me that hates this game, I’ve said it every year — but you got to give Kampe credit, man. The time he’s put in there, the job he’s done, the different lineups he’s had to play, the injuries he’s going through. I thought the kid, No. 7, who’s been out, [Isaiah] Jones, the other Jones, I mean, this team is going to be damn good, and that league, I think, is going to be really good. Now, we didn’t come with the same defensive intensity the first half, and they caused some of it. I thought Jeremy Fears, of all the people, when you talk about a guy that has one basket and really not as many assists as normal — four assists — I thought he won us the game just because of the job he did on [DQ] Cole. And he asked for him at halftime, and I said, ‘Sure.’ And that was the difference in the game. We had some other guys that played pretty well. [Xavier] Booker, of course, came in. Jaxon [Kohler] gets another double-double, which was really big on his part. … I can’t thank our crowd enough, and hopefully Oakland’s crowd too, but the number of people from Michigan State that showed up, that’s why I play it, so people that never see us can see us. And a lot of times, those people don’t get to get into Breslin, and I greatly appreciate it, the way they were.”

Don’t forget to follow the official Spartan Nation Page on Facebook Spartan Nation WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and be a part of our vibrant community group Go Green Go White as well WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.

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Michigan

Proposed bill outlines looks into standards for pets outdoors in Michigan

Published

15 hours ago

December 17, 2024

Press Room

Proposed bill outlines looks into standards for pets outdoors in Michigan – CBS Detroit

Watch CBS News

We’ve already experienced arctic air this season and will again soon. Those conditions outside are dangerous not only for you but also for your pets. That’s why lawmakers in Lansing are trying to redefine what it means to have suitable shelter for animals.

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Michigan

Land conservancy purchases 35 acres on Lake Michigan, Betsie Bay after ‘Herculean effort’

Published

22 hours ago

December 17, 2024

Press Room

Land conservancy purchases 35 acres on Lake Michigan, Betsie Bay after ‘Herculean effort’

ELBERTA, MI – After a “Herculean” fundraising effort, 35 acres of land on the shores of Lake Michigan and Betsie Bay have been purchased by a Northern Michigan land conservancy.

The project in Elberta will result in a nature preserve, an expanded municipal park, a trail extension and economic development – and save this shoreline area from commercial development, officials said.

The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy secured gifts and pledges of $19.5M in less than six months, meeting the Dec. 15 deadline to purchase the land.

This was “the largest funding needed for a single property in the conservancy’s 33-year history,” said Jennifer Jay, director of communications and engagement for the conservancy. That, coupled with the short timeline to raise the money, made this purchase a “Herculean effort,” she said.

More than 600 families donated to the project with the smallest gift coming in at $7 and the largest at $9 million. More than 200 gifts were from first-time donors.

“People who love Benzie County really love Benzie County, and they want to retain the small-town character of the shoreline communities like Elberta and Frankfort,” said Glen Chown, the conservancy’s executive director. “People gave from their hearts to ensure a future for Elberta that aligns with the community’s vision.”

The property was recently targeted for a large resort development, but that plan was withdrawn.

The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy is working to purchase 35 acres of waterfront in Elberta. Of the 35 acres, 10 acres, including steep forested dunes, would be set aside for a nature preserve managed by the conservancy; 16 acres, including 578 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline and 2,000 feet of Betsie Bay shoreline, would be transferred to the village of Elberta for a municipal park; and 9 acres, including 1,120 feet of Betsie Bay shoreline, would go to the village for economic development.Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy

The land extends from Elberta Beach to the Historic Waterfront Park and then to the village’s northern edge with 578 feet of Lake Michigan frontage and 3,120 feet on Betsie Bay, plus 10 acres of dunes.

Plans for the 35 acres include a 10-acre nature preserve managed by the conservancy. This area includes steep, forested critical dunes.

The conservancy plans to transfer 16 acres to the village of Elberta to be used as a community park. This area near the Elberta Pier at the mouth of Betsie Bay, includes 578 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline and 2,000 feet of Betsie Bay shoreline. This will allow the Betsie Valley Trail to extend through the property, connecting Frankfort’s and Elberta’s Lake Michigan beaches.

The final 9 acres, including 1,120 feet of Betsie Bay shoreline, has been set aside for economic development; the Michigan Land Bank Authority will lead this effort.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $27.5 million. Fundraising for the last $8 million has already begun.

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