Michigan Football Lands Top-Rated Defender Nate Marshall, Giving Sherrone Moore First Recruiting Triumph
Although Michigan did not immediately benefit from winning the national championship in terms of recruiting, Sherrone Moore’s first commitment was a big deal. On Monday, Michigan secured the commitment of four-star defensive lineman Nathaniel Marshall, who is ranked No. 35 in the 247Sports Composite, ahead of Alabama, Illinois, Miami, and other contenders. He is the first pledge since early January and the fourth in Michigan’s 2025 class.
Marshall’s pledge follows Saturday’s Michigan spring game and may indicate a change in the team’s fortunes after a period of silence following Jim Harbaugh’s NFL departure. Marshall was a top goal for new defensive line coach Lou Esposito, who was brought in from Memphis last month. Marshall attends Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois. Before meeting with reporters on Monday to talk about Michigan’s spring game, Moore shared a joyful message on social media.
Moore claimed that even though Michigan was unable to immediately benefit from their national title in recruiting, the momentum has not been lost.
“I felt some great juice when I got those four rings the other day,” Moore said. “We got all the juice we wanted.”
Extremely blessed and thankful for this opportunity Go blue https://t.co/isJYxEagkn
— Nathaniel Marshall (@AllNateMarshall) April 22, 2024
Where does Michigan’s 2025 class stand?
With Marshall’s pledge, Michigan’s class shot up from the 50s to No. 35 in the 247Sports Composite rankings. Though it is early, Marshall has the potential to be a defensive standout if the Wolverines can hold onto him until signing day.
Marshall would be the highest-ranked player to sign with Michigan since Will Johnson in the Class of 2022 if his ranking holds true. At 6-feet-4 and 265 pounds, he is an explosive athlete with the build to gain weight without losing agility.
“Obviously there are traits you want like ankle flexibility, like the ability to bend, the ability to carry weight at a high velocity,” Esposito said last week, describing what he looks for in a defensive lineman. “I think the next thing is, do they fit in your puzzle? Everybody has a different puzzle, right? Can they fit in our system?”
Marshall might be a crucial component of Michigan’s 2025 class.
(Photo of Sherrone Moore: Jaime Crawford / Getty Images)