Bama’s got more leaks than a sinking ship this season. 14 players jumped off the bandwagon, and now they’ve lost 5-star OT Ty Haywood—tough break. The Tide’s looking pretty hollow these days. And then there’s Sherrone Moore and Michigan, lurking in the wings and swooping in on recruits like pros. They’re always in the mix when there’s a flip. Honestly, they’re playing the game better than most. Alabama is scrambling, but Michigan is the one seizing every opportunity and picking up what’s left behind.

Notably, Sherrone Moore turns the table very quickly by playing with NIL. Remember Bryce Underwood? They didn’t even think twice about doubling his recruitment amount. Now he is pretty much on the same path as Michigan’s insider, EJ Holland says, “This recruitment really revolves around one key thing: NIL. Michigan has become an NIL powerhouse this fall. They did well landing Bryce Underwood, putting up a ton of backing for that, and flipping him from LSU late in the cycle. Some of the same people involved in the Bryce Underwood deal are also in on the Ty Haywood deal.” Looks like history is going to repeat itself real soon.

We all know what happened with the LS Tigers a few months back when Sherrone Moore effortlessly took away their five-star quarterback from them. And now the same will happen with Bama. But the difference is they are already out of the race. This makes things pretty speculative now that Ty Haywood is already on the campus visiting the staff. But they have an edge on this one because knowing Moore’s history as an offensive line coach can make things easier for them.

Moreover, there’s a solid reason why Michigan is so ready to pour serious NIL cash into Ty Haywood. The guy’s a freak of nature when it comes to athleticism, owning a sensational multi-sport profile. Ty’s elite shot put performance data in Spring 2024 featured numerous throws over 50 feet and a breathtaking personal record of 58-6. His incredible strength and explosiveness benefit more than just football; they make him ideal for Michigan’s offense, which thrives on a powerful, dominant presence in the trenches.

Even insider EJ Howland highlights the same mentioning, “The style of play in the Big Ten fits Haywood, who is a physical, dominant run blocker that finishes blocks with authority. That’s why Michigan made him a priority and is willing to invest NIL into him.” However, Michigan is not the only team trying hard for Haywood’s commitment; other teams might have an edge over them.

Other teams push hard for Ty Haywood

Clearly, Ty Haywood was once one of the crown jewels in Kalen DeBoer’s first recruiting class with the Tide. But now that he’s made his sudden move, three schools are in hot pursuit. First up is Michigan, obviously. Then we have Texas Tech and Florida State, with the Seminoles pushing the hardest. Here’s the kicker: Florida State really needs Haywood. It’s a “now or never” situation if they don’t land him now.

Also, if you’re Mike Norvell, you’re coming off back-to-back rough years. First, your team gets snubbed for the 2023 playoff, and then you only get two wins in 2024? That hardly means anything. But here’s the twist: Norvell looks to take a different approach in 2025. It’s basically like if you can handle the football, you’re in! Norvell’s pitch? “And when it comes to recruiting, he knows the family; he knows Ty. So, don’t count Florida State out”, Chad Simmons brought this to light on On3. Now, that can be a matter of concern for Michigan.

Moreover, with the news of Ty Haywood’s de-commitment spreading like wildfire, Coach Norvell was already in the mix trying to secure the offensive tackle. So here’s the real question: can they hold up against Michigan’s massive NIL plan? That’s a tough race but as Simmons said, Norvell knows the ropes and could pull some strings to get Ty to commit.

So, Moore at Michigan has to be on his toes. It’s going to be a tight race, and every move counts.