“Last year was unacceptable,” veteran Wolverine OL Giovanni El-Hadi told the press earlier in the month. Michigan’s offensive line was one of the best in the country in 2023 and the year before. But in 2024, it took a back seat. However, this year, it looked like HC Sherrone Moore has ordered an overhaul in strategy. “We’re going to be nasty. We’re going to impose our will like we know we can,” El-Hadi said. However, according to intel about a potential recruit, Moore will have to press pause on that for a bit.

Michigan currently sits at the No. 26 position in the 2026 recruiting class. Former Michigan IOL Dominick Guidice, reserve linemen Raheem Anderson and Tristan Bounds left camp and entered the transfer portal’s winter cycle. Michigan was close to landing a potential replacement as part of a much-needed solution for a lacklustre O-line show last year. In fact, Michigan ranked 131st when it came to passing offense. But, it seems that Josh Heupel might be snatching away that victory from him.

Sherrone Moore was close to recruiting 4-star IOL Leo Delaney, but Tennessee is raining down on his party. He’s paid both programs 6 visits, and now, it seems like Delaney is growing warmer for Knoxville. “Tennessee is close to home, I have some really good relationships with players and coaches there and it is a place I can win games. The guys love to compete there, they love to get after it and it feels good when I am there.” Delaney comes from Charlotte, North Carolina, and was also looking at Clemson as a probable destination too.

On3 shows the probability of Moore landing Delaney at 77.2%. 247Sports, on the other hand, sees both Michigan and Tennessee as likely homes, giving them 50% chances. Delaney stands at 6’6” and 270 lbs, and plays both sides of the ball. He was also pursued by Miami at one point of time. He produced 47 tackles on the defense and also registered 4 pancake blocks on the offense in his high school career so far. Delaney also made it to the MaxPreps All-American First team in 2023.

But even with Michigan close to recruiting him, Tennessee has grown into a favorite. He said when he dropped in for a spring visit, “I had a great time being around players and my old teammate David Sanders, the coaches. It’s just a place I feel really comfortable at every time I’m in town.”  “They love me and they think I’d be a great fit for their program. They think they can develop me into a great football player and a great person. I know they have the tools to do it, and I know it’s a place I love being, so it’s really a special place,” Delaney commented about Heupel and Co.’s pitch to recruit the 4-star prospect.

With Delaney’s growing affinity for Tennessee, Moore has to act now and quickly. Because it will soon be revealed who Delaney will pick between the two, come summer.

Sherrone Moore in trouble as Leo Delaney sets final date

Moore has just about 2 months before Leo Delaney announces his commitment. On3 reported on X that the IOL will announce his decision on July 11, which will send his 4 favorites into a state of alarm. Along with Moore, Heupel, and Dabo Swinney, Delaney was also impressed by James Franklin at Penn State.

Interestingly, Delaney has also planned a series of official visits to the four programs in the offseason. He will visit Clemson on May 30 and Penn State on June 6. Surprisingly, he has Michigan and Tennessee visits locked for the same day, i.e., Jun 20. That is another reason for alarm for Swinney and Moore, who will not be able to leave a final impression on Delaney.

Heupel did not have an easy time in the portal, with the whole Nico Iamaleava drama that ensued at Knoxville. With Leo Delaney, however, the HC can look to have a victory. However, that would be a problem for Moore, who would’ve used Delaney as a fix for his O-line problems from last season.