Wolverines Turn Down Deal, Regarding $97.5 Million 5-Star Player trip to Michigan For 2024 Season…

With Pro Day underway on Friday and recruiting beginning to take off this spring, Michigan and Sherrone Moore are hosting a wide variety of elite prospects this weekend in hopes of building momentum in some important races.

On campus already is the nation’s number three tackle in Overland Park (KS) five-star Andrew Babalola. Babalola has been recruited as a top target by the Wolverines for a while now with Grant Newsome eyeing his first potential five-star pull of his recruiting career. He is joined by fellow top offensive line target Avery Gach, a player I currently have a 247Sports Crystal Ball in for. Four-star safety and another top target in Ja’Don Blair is also in town for the next two days. Three-star Georgia wideout Jamauri Brice is also in town on Friday.

On Sunday, the staff will host their most prolific group of recruits under Moore thus far. Among those expected:

Four-star edge Damien Shanklin: The Indianapolis (IN) native is now a Top100 prospect according to 247Sports. Michigan is battling Notre Dame, Texas, Tennessee and Miami (FL) among others at this point in his recruitment.

Four-star offensive lineman Marcus Garcia: Garcia was one of the first offers made by Newsome after his move to offensive line coach. The Denton (TX) Ryan prospect has officials already set to Arkansas, Nebraska, Texas A&M and Texas Tech. This will be his first trip to Ann Arbor.

Four-star tight end Andrew Olesh: Olesh had a huge winter recruiting-wise as he added double digit offers within a couple weeks’ time. This included Michigan, who offered three weeks ago. It’s conceivable the four-star could move up to top target with a strong trip this weekend.

Four-star running back Bo Jackson: Tony Alford has hit the ground running in getting some top guys up as Jackson will be in town. The Cleveland (OH) Top100 prospect has interest in Ohio State, Kentucky and will be in Knoxville earlier in the weekend as well to check out Tennessee.

2026 QB Noah Grubbs: Grubbs is a name that 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong has mentioned explicitly as a prospect the Wolverines could be in good shape for. The Lake Mary (FL) prospect has offers from Notre Dame, Penn State, Miami (FL), Oklahoma and Texas A&M among others.

2026 RB Kyshawn Robinson: The Pittsburgh (PA) running back does not yet hold a Michigan offer but has tenders from Florida, Florida State, Penn State and USC among others. It would not be a surprise to see Michigan join.

2026 TE Carson Sneed: The nation’s number three tight end in 2026 according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Sneed will make his first trip to Ann Arbor this weekend. In-state Tennessee has an early 247Sports Crystal Ball in their favor.

2026 OL Carter Scruggs: Scruggs is another potential big-time prospect in 2026 who does not yet hold a Michigan offer but could see one on this trip. The Leesburg (VA) native has Alabama, Penn State and Virginia Tech on his early offer sheet.

EDIT: 2025 four-star running back Marquise Davis (Monday): The Wolverines are set to host the Cleveland (OH) top target for his first unofficial to campus since Michigan’s win over Ohio State in November. The Buckeyes and potentially Kentucky are probably Tony Alford’s biggest competitors in this race.

247Sports will have more on this recruiting weekend as it takes place and after it has concluded.

More than 650 players have entered the college basketball transfer portal since it opened Monday, March 18. So far, the vast majority of transfers are coming out of the mid and low-major ranks. That will soon change following the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

247Sports has been rating and analyzing players since the portal floodgates opened, but for the first time today we’re formalizing a Top 25 rankings. Once again, the portal will be full of impact big men. Let’s break down the best players.

Stanford is owning the transfer portal rankings at the moment after the firing of Jerod Haase. The Cardinal has had several hit the portal, but no one is more exciting than their big-man Maxime Raynaud.

The French big man stands 7-foot-1 and has made significant strides in his development with each passing year. Not only does he have has great size, but he’s also very skilled. Raynaud is an offensive weapon that can be used in a variety of ways and in the right system.

He was named the Pac-12’s Most Improved Player and received All-Conference second-team honors.

On the other side of the big-man spectrum is Clifford Omoruyi. He is by no means an offensive weapon, but he is a defensive menace with his size, length, strength and athleticism.

Omoruyi is the top rim protector in the portal, so far, and among the best in all of college basketball. He can move his feet, run the floor, elevate high above the rim and wreak havoc on opponents in the paint.

He’s taking an official visit to St. John’s (who are considered to be the leader in the clubhouse) in the near future. He’ll come off the board quick if Rick Pitino can continue to impress him.

It was a very disappointing season for the USC Trojans after bringing in a heralded recruiting class with some key returners. One of those returners was Kobe Johnson (the younger brother of former Duke Blue Devil, Jalen Johnson). He was one of the only consistent bright spots for the Trojans this season as he continued to build his case as one of the top perimeter defenders in the country.

The 6-foot-6 wing is an impressive athlete with good basketball instincts. He can defend multiple positions on the perimeter and he continues to improve in the half-court. He shot 31% from 3, but his mechanics suggest he could improve that next season. Also, he’s showing the ability to slash and pass off the dribble.

Johnson earned Pac-12 All Defensive Team honors this season for a second time.

Kanaan Carlyle didn’t get to start his season until December. But when he got his chance, he wasted no time in making an impact.

He’s a former four-star recruit that has long been one of the best athletes and better scorers in his recruiting class. He’s a tough and aggressive guard who is at his best in the open floor. As his decision-making and shot-making can continue to improve, having three seasons still to play will certainly play into his favor.

For any team in need of a dynamic guard that can score, Carlyle will be in high demand.

The first McDonald’s All American to enter the transfer portal this cycle was Brandon Garrison, after the firing of Oklahoma State coach Mike Boynton.

Garrison is a very physically gifted big-man who plays impacts the game on the glass and on defense. He’s raw and limited on offense, but he has been improving on that side of the court. And with three years to play, Garrison can bring an immediate impact to any team in the country.

The first McDonald’s All American to enter the transfer portal this cycle was Brandon Garrison, after the firing of Oklahoma State coach Mike Boynton.

Garrison is a very physically gifted big-man who plays impacts the game on the glass and on defense. He’s raw and limited on offense, but he has been improving on that side of the court. And with three years to play, Garrison can bring an immediate impact to any team in the country.

Coming in just outside the top-5 is another Stanford transfer, Andrej Stojakovic.

He’s a former McDonald’s All American and the son of NBA star Peja Stojakovic. The 6-foot-7 wing, like his father, is a dynamic shot-maker. But, he has plenty more to his bag. Stojakovic has shown an advanced scoring package in the past, but has needed time to get stronger and find his rhythm at the college level.

With three years to play, there’s a lot to like about what Stojakovic can become. Whoever lands Stojakovic is immediately getting a shooter who, in time, can become a dynamic shot-maker.

Pepperdine was loaded with talent out west this past season, but none were better than junior forward Michael Ajayi.

Ajayi is a 6-foot-7 forward who made his way to Pepperdine from the junior college ranks. In his first season of Division I basketball, he posted 17 double-double which tied for the twelfth-most double-doubles in the country. Ajayi is a versatile and strong forward who makes shots from 3, rebounds at a high level and is very comfortable scoring off the dribble.

Amari Williams made his way to the United States from England. And since making his arrival at Drexel, Williams has tallied three Defensive Player of the Year honors in the CAA Conference.

He’s a 6-foot-10 big man with length and an impressive frame. But although he’s an impact defender and rebounder, he’s not the best of scorers. Still, he can clean up on the glass and finish around the rim on offense. However, his best offensive attribute is his ability to pass the basketball.

Juwan Howard it out at Michigan and his players are in the portal — particularly his point guard, Dug McDaniel.

He may be small, but McDaniel has a lot of game. Under Howard, McDaniel has made progress as a shooter and scorer. The 5-foot-9 guard put up numbers on a bad team in the Big Ten this season. And while his numbers may drop next year, he should be making a bigger impact on the win column for his next program.

Another talented member of Pepperdine, Jevon Porter hit the portal after the firing of Lorenzo Romar.

He’s a former four-star recruit and is the younger brother of Michael Porter Jr. of the Denver Nuggets. Porter is a 6-foot-11 stretch big-man with plenty of skill and upside.  He can step out and make shots from 3, can attack his man off the dribble, and with some added strength, he can become a bigger force in the paint.

Another Wolverine of note in the portal is Tarris Reed, a 6-foot-9 center that was a former top-50 recruit.

Reed is a big and burly post prospect with good hands and touch. He can score on the low block and rebound his area. And with two years left to play, high-major programs will find a lot to like about him.

Another Wolverine of note in the portal is Tarris Reed, a 6-foot-9 center that was a former top-50 recruit.

Reed is a big and burly post prospect with good hands and touch. He can score on the low block and rebound his area. And with two years left to play, high-major programs will find a lot to like about him.

Mekhi Mason is the latest in a series of impressive Rice players to hit the portal. He possesses outstanding physical tools which makes him a 3-level scorer who impacts the game on both ends of the court.

Mason was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team in 2022-23.

Frankie Fidler is a 6-foot-7, skilled wing who really knows how to score the ball. And if there is anyone who draws comparisons to Dalton Knecht so far, it’s Fidler.

He isn’t the caliber of player as Knecht. But his size, skill, shot-making and 3-level scoring is what fuels the comparisons. He will bring value to a high-major program next season.

Sometimes, you have to go down a level to make your way back to the top. That was the case for Malik Dia who started his career at Vanderbilt before transferring down the street to Belmont.

He was able to find his footing, his game and his confidence during his one season with the Bruins. Now, he will be back in the high-major ranks next season. He’s a big and long stretch-four with a very soft touch on his jumper. But, he can also rebound and score in the post.