Michigan knows how to play with money! Why else would the nation’s top players commit to a program with a National Champion tag that fell 7-5 this season? Well, at least Sherrone Moore was able to lead the Wolverines to the bowl games in his first year despite a huge roster transition. That’s enough promise that the program can transform with a strong football roster. No wonder Michigan offered Bryce Underwood a multi-million dollar NIL package that may have topped $10 million in total. The result?

Underwood flipped from LSU to Michigan. But it seems more good news could be on the horizon for them. 5-star OT Ty Haywood made an announcement that could fall in the favor of Moore and the Wolverines. He has been committed to Alabama since July 14 but will not sign next week during the Early Signing Period as the Michigan Wolverines have been trying to recruit him and they want to get him to Ann Arbor for a visit.

“Haywood is a big Alabama fan. His mother is too. Michigan is pushing hard, the Haywood’s are listening, so we are watching closely to see if they visit,” On3’s Chad Simmons wrote in November. But what did Haywood have to say?

“I have always had an interest in Michigan, so it’s not like it came out of nowhere. I would say yeah they just backed out when I committed before coming back in,” Haywood told Simmons in November. Now, on December 1, Michigan insider EJ Holland joined Josh Newberg on On3 Recruits on YouTube to discuss the nation’s No. 5 OT’s hesitation despite his commitment to Alabama. Speaking of late signing, he said,

“If you’re going to delay until the late period, you’re basically admitting you’re not completely sold on Alabama and you’re strongly considering what Michigan has to offer. Now the same people that were involved in the Bryce Underwood NIL deal, I’m told some of those people are also involved in the potential NIL deal for Ty Haywood and that would be massive. That would be massive, you know. That’s different type of money.

“Michigan is putting together really good packages and you have seen them land some high-end guys. Josh Newberg just mentioned Jordan Young just flipped. You had Shamari Earls flip. You had Andrew Olesh, a top 100 tight end commit. So they put together packages but I think, you know, the NIL deals for a guy like Underwood or a guy like Haywood are a little bit on a different level. And I think that’s kind of really attracted Haywood and has really made him think about delaying it.”

“As of yesterday, last night when I talked to him, he told me, ‘I’m delaying’. So Alabama has what, three days to get him to not delay. But if he does take it into the late period, I think it might be Michigan’s game to win, which is crazy. Because he has been solid to Alabama. He grew up an Alabama fan but you know, Michigan has that momentum right now,” Holland concluded.

The program seems to be having a lot of success flipping the players they need. For instance, less than 24 hours after the biggest victory in Moore’s Michigan football tenure (they defeated Ohio State 13-10), they acquired four-star safety Jordan Young. Young flipped his commitment from Clemson to Michigan.

Michigan is winning the recruitment race!

4-star safety Jordan Young was the latest player to flip his commitment to Michigan. The Monroe High standout is the nation’s No. 13 ATH who committed to Clemson in early November. With his decision to flip, Michigan now ranks 8th in the nation with 20 commits in its 2025 recruiting class, including two 5-star players—Bryce Underwood and Andrew Babalola, 12 4-star players, and six 3-star players.

Young had received several offers from Power Four schools, including Alabama, Florida State, and Notre Dame, as well as from Big Ten programs Michigan State, Maryland, Penn State, and USC. Young’s addition can in some way, make up for the loss of Ivan Taylor.

He is a jumper and sprinter in track, who also plays basketball. In fact, even on the field, he has a tendency to move around quite a bit. So he could be a big safety. And if the team wants someone who can cover and tackle, Young seems to be the answer.

Shamari Earls is another 4-star haul that Sherrone Moore stole from an SEC powerhouse. Michigan flipped Earls from Georgia Bulldogs in early November. He announced his decision on X, “After deep thought and reflection, I have made the decision to decommit from the University of Georgia. I want to thank coach Kirby Smart and coach Donte Williams for all that they have done for me.”

“I am beyond thrilled to commit to the University of Michigan to continue my academic and athletic career. I am excited for the future and to be a part of coach Sherrone Moore’s vision for sustained success and coach (LaMar) Morgan’s vision for the secondary to be the most competitive and disciplined secondary in the country.”

The program was also able to win the commitment of Andrew Olesh and retain him despite flipping rumors. Signing day is in a couple of days and Michigan is already sitting in a great spot to make a huge comeback in 2025.