In a resounding triumph that punctuated their blistering finish to the 2025 recruiting cycle, the Michigan Wolverines secured the commitment of elite five-star offensive tackle prospect Ty Haywood on Wednesday morning. Haywood, the No. 16 overall recruit and third-ranked offensive tackle in the ESPN 300, headlines a star-studded class for Michigan that currently ranks ninth in the nation.
The 6-foot-5, 285-pound lineman from Denton, Texas initially committed to Alabama in July before backing off that pledge last month. After a frenetic final push from the Wolverines, Florida State, and Texas Tech, Haywood donned the maize and blue cap in a National Signing Day ceremony, eliciting raucous cheers from friends, family, and coaches at Ryan High School.
Michigan’s Magnificent Finish
Haywood’s commitment puts an exclamation point on a torrid stretch run for head coach Sherrone Moore in his inaugural recruiting class leading the Wolverines. Michigan has now signed 11 ESPN 300 recruits, including eight from the top 100 prospects nationally. It’s a remarkable haul considering the program held pledges from just four blue-chippers as recently as October.
The catalyst for this surge? None other than five-star quarterback and No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood, who flipped from LSU to Michigan in early November. Underwood’s decision set off a chain reaction that saw the Wolverines land six top-100 commits in a seven-week span leading up to the early signing period.
“We all have the same mindset of winning. We’re going to go in and do what we’re supposed to do. But we’re also going to have fun with this process and this next chapter of life. I’m ready to go dominate, win games and make it a fun time in our lives.”
– Ty Haywood on joining Michigan’s 2025 class
Bookend Talents
In Haywood and fellow five-star signee Andrew Babalola (No. 28 overall, No. 8 OT), the Wolverines have secured their highest-rated offensive line haul in the history of the ESPN recruiting rankings. The bookend tackle talents are not only cornerstones for Underwood’s protection, but program-altering building blocks along the line of scrimmage.
Haywood cited his connection with the Michigan coaches, as well as the school’s ability to develop offensive linemen for the NFL, as primary factors in his decision. He was blown away on his official visit to Ann Arbor in January.
“Coach Moore is a former offensive lineman and Coach Newsome is a great guy, too. Those guys understand what it takes to prepare every day, workout and win games. They know what it takes.”
– Ty Haywood on Michigan’s coaching staff
Bright Future in Ann Arbor
The Wolverines are coming off a disappointing 8-5 campaign in 2024 that saw them finish fourth in the Big Ten East division. But with a top-10 recruiting class headlined by elite offensive firepower in Underwood, Haywood, and Babalola, the arrow is pointing up for Michigan football.
Sustaining this momentum on the trail will be critical for Moore as he looks to return the program to contention for conference titles and College Football Playoff berths. For now, the first-year head coach and his staff can celebrate a home run close to the 2025 recruiting cycle – one that could lay the foundation for special seasons to come at the Big House.
