The hunt for top-tier talent never ceases. And Sherrone Moore might be on the verge of delivering a crushing blow to two a couple of Big Ten rivals. An elite defensive back is reclassifying and all signs point towards Ann Arbor. A true lockdown corner, this rising star dominated as a sophomore in 2024. He racked up 37 total tackles (29 solo), four interceptions and 16 passes defended. Even as a freshman, he showcased his instincts with 27 tackles and one interception. The talent didn’t go unnoticed, earning him a spot on the MaxPreps All-America First Team Defense last month. So, who’s the guy?

Per Michigan insider Ethan McDowell’s X post on March 2, Havon Finney Jr. is making a major move, reclassing from the 2027 class to 2026. Michigan is in a prime position to capitalize per the insider’s observation — “He trains with former Wolverines and grew up a big fan of Charles Woodson. ‘I’ll visit within the next month,’ Finney said before this news broke.” Michigan must thank their former players for taking them up in this recruitment race. 

Sherrone Moore and his staff offered Havon Finney Jr. back on February 18 when he was a 2027 prospect ranking at No. 2 at his position and No. 5 in the nation. As reported above, the Sierra Canyon High standout trains with former Wolverines David Long and Lavert Hill. It was this connection that paved the way for Michigan to pitch an offer to the 5-star CB. “That offer means a lot,” Havon said. “That’s pretty big. It’s one of the schools I’ve always liked growing up. Charles Woodson used to be one of my favorite players.” 

What’s not to like about the national champ who’s also the first defensive player in college football history to win the Heisman Trophy? Charles Woodson dominated the NFL with the Las Vegas Raiders. And as Havon is a fan of the franchise, he would watch the CB’s highlights and it only makes Michigan’s case stronger as he was a former Wolverine too. Besides, he’s already pumped up for his expected visit next month saying, “I really just want to see the environment and how the DBs get coached. And I would say where they see me on the field, what they see me doing for the program.”

Defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan is the primary recruiter of this 6’2 m, 170-pound CB. And he made an impression on the young prospect. “I like how real he was,” he admitted. “You could tell he wasn’t lying about anything. He’s really straight up.” But while things are trending towards Ann Arbor, nothing is set in stone yet. And other programs are still in the mix. 

The battle for Havon Finney Jr. rages on

This standout player has nearly 20 offers from powerhouses like Georgia, Texas, LSU, Miami, and more. But two B1G powerhouses are making strong pushes. Ryan Day and the Buckeyes are making recruitment headlines. They officially threw their hat in the ring this past Tuesday, offering the California native. With their strong track record of developing DBs, they won’t go down without a fight. But Dan Lanning already made a huge impression on Oregon’s unofficial Junior Day. 

“Oregon was great,” Havon Finney Jr. said after his trip to Eugene. “What stood out about Oregon was how they embraced me and made me feel like I was their number 1 recruit at the cornerback position.” But wait, can these B1G powerhouses rise above his in-state first love? Don’t rule out USC. “That’s the first school I ever fell in love with,” he confessed to 247Sports. “I grew up watching USC. That’s always been my favorite school growing up, so it meant a lot to me. I’ve been a fan for a long time.” Aside from these schools, UCLA, Texas, LSU, and Texas A&M are all making their cases. 

With a visit to Michigan looming, the Wolverines are in a strong position. But this competition is far from over. USC has deep roots in his recruitment, and Ohio State and Oregon are pushing hard. Meanwhile, SEC powerhouses are also lurking in the background. It’s clear that whoever lands Havon Finney Jr. will be getting a game-changer.