Being the son of a legend has its perks, but it exacts a cost. Especially when you’re traversing the exact same trail your old man blazed. Shouts of nepotism, often both fair and fallacious, come with the territory for one. The pressure to live up to the mantle is incessant, and no amount of success seems enough. If this father happens to be someone in the GOAT conversation, all this gets ramped up to 11. Bronny James’ sporadic highs and frequent lows have epitomized this as part of the discourse. Everything is louder when the Showtime Lakers are involved. So is the case with the Michigan Wolverines.

For someone trying to carve their career as a WR as the son of someone on Mount Rushmore for that very position group, it may seem ideal to pull away from the limelight and go to a quieter, more subdued school than Michigan. It’s a fair rationale to want to work in the shadows. Or, you can simply double down and revel in the hype that’s imminently coming. Short-sightedness is a cardinal sin in CFB with mass roster turnover being a cyclic, annual threat. The carousel keeps spinning as graduates get replaced by freshmen. HC Sherrone Moore and Michigan’s efforts to build a fractured Receiving Corp. have borne fruit as 3-star WR Devin Fitzgerald has announced some news about his recruitment.

Devin Fitzgerald is the son of Larry Fitzgerald. For the uninitiated, Larry played 17 seasons in the NFL, all for the Cardinals. He’s 2nd all-time in receiving yards, an 11x Pro Bowler and just a bonafide legend. Devin will have done well for himself to scratch the mere edges of what his father achieved on a gridiron. Alas, he’s committed to the cause. Devin Fitzgerald has scheduled a visit to Ann Arbor next weekend, i.e, March 22nd, 2025. This was reported by On3 over their social media channels. Devin must’ve been around some football cauldrons in his time. But a trip to the Big House is bound to be special.

6’2, 185lb out of Phoenix Brophy Prep, Devin Fitzgerald is peaking at just the right time. His junior season in ‘24 was the best in his young career. A figurative announcement that he’s more than just the name on the back of his shirt, and a literal one that big college programs need to keep an eye out. Fitzgerald went for 720 yards on 52 receptions, to go with 9 trips to the end-zone. This is baked into him being ranked the 4th best player in Arizona and 78th best receiver countrywide in his class of ‘26 according to 247Sports’ Composite.

Devin Fitzgerald has already visited Clemson, Florida State and Notre Dame. Which means Michigan’s road to landing him is far from linear. Additionally, Larry Fitzgerald’s alma mater Pitt remains in the fray. The Wolverines will seek to leapfrog the competition when they host Devin on campus. An opportunity that won’t transpire for Bill Belichick and UNC. Who also offered Devin Fitzgerald, but are evidently lagging in this proverbial battle.

Larry Fitzgerald doesn’t reciprocate Bill Belichick’s vow with a visit

The UNC Tar Heels extended an offer to Devin Fitzgerald less than a fortnight ago. “I had the privilege of speaking with Coach [Belichick], one of the greatest to ever do it, and I am thrilled to announce that I have received an offer from the University of North Carolina!” he’d posted to X in elation. Fitzgerald is on record saying that Bill Belichick made him a “promise”. That he shall “push me every day to be the best and hold us accountable.” Despite this late surge and words that sure didn’t fall on deaf ears, Chapel Hill isn’t on the itinerary.

Maybe this was indeed a little bit too late. Michigan, for context, offered Devin Fitzgerald way back in November. As aforementioned, he had a breakout 2024 and the perception around him as well as the stature of programs in the mixer changed over the course of the year. That, in tandem with a coaching change, meant UNC was late to the party. Belichick can’t be counted out, for Devin knows a thing or two about how being in the vicinity of greatness can brush off. But he’s not reciprocating the love just yet.

If there’s one thing for certain, it’s that Devin Fitzgerald won’t rush into a hasty decision. He’s got a great support system around him to iron out any doubts. Someone who’s been there, done that. For now, he’ll look to build upon the momentum he’s conjured last season. Perform and the pieces shall automatically fall into place.