Our FINAL Class of 2025 Top 5

Here we are! My final rankings update for the Class of 2025 and my final verdict on who the Top 5 players in Michigan are. This article will share my most detailed evaluations on these five superstars. I'll cover everything I know about each prospect, from their size, skillset, personality, and more.    I feel weird writing about Bryce while he's already in Ann Arbor and all the luxuries that come with that.   But let's be real, he's earned it. When I first watched Bryce as a Freshman, I saw extremely obvious talent- a natural athlete, a college-ready arm, and an already well-advertised work ethic. I also saw a lot of maturing to do- Bryce came across to me as a bit cocky. Then, over the years, Bryce kept on improving on the field and as a leader. On the field, his game speaks for itself. Bryce has the best arm I've ever seen- dude can launch it 30+ yards downfield with consistent accuracy. He's also a pure dual-threat, but is still comfortable enough to sit in the pocket. Though, when he does run, he breaks arm tackles with ease- he runs more like an X receiver than a QB. IQ is one of the only things I question. In no way does he have bad IQ, but I have seen a few boneheaded interceptions, usually coming from quick first-read throws that a DB jumps. Also, Bryce's accuracy takes a hit when on the run or when pressured, like just about every QB out there.   More on Bryce's personality. This season, I was able to watch Bryce once, and that was Week 1 against Clarkston. There were some frustrating moments in that game, one in particular where I watched Bryce get a little upset with a teammate on the sideline (I think for running the wrong route?). Though, I think Bryce handled it OK. I watched him approach his teammate, complain, then give him a "come on man" type look, dap him up, and that was that. I could definitely sense some frustration, but he likely would have handled that differently (worse) if he was a freshman. Other than that, I never got the sense that Bryce was a super vocal leader, but definitely a lead by example type of guy. That said, he seems a little quiet, but I don't knock him for what whatsoever. It's also pretty apparent to me that Bryce has been media trained. For a couple years now, he's realized his status and seems to handle it extremely maturely.   [player_tooltip player_id='247690' first='Bryce' last='Underwood'] has easily surpassed Dante Moore (who has a good chance to start at Oregon next season). Bryce is better than Dante was coming out of High School and has better upside. The question is, will Bryce live up to that upside?   My answer- yes, but don't be surprised if he struggles in the beginning, ESPECIALLY if he starts as a true freshman. We saw it with Dante- he earned starts as a true Freshman at UCLA and didn't have great results. The Michigan Staff will have the correct answer, and I trust they won't send him out there if he's underbaked. Don't be shocked if Davis Warren (or another QB) gets the Week 1 nod.   I see a lot of similarities between [player_tooltip player_id='247690' first='Bryce' last='Underwood'] and Jayden Daniels. If Bryce keeps working on his game (especially IQ), he'll have a chance to be a first-round pick.     Alex is someone I wish I had watched more in person. All in all, I was only able to get in front of Alex one time- the 2024 State Championship.   Well, Alex did enough there for me to be confident in ranking him #2. Starting out, Alex is the most well-built DB I've ever seen. He's got the height that just about every college is looking for now while also being extremely muscular. A+ size. Plus, he's damn good at football. Defensively, Alex tackles in space better than some division 1-committed outside linebackers. Once he diagnoses the play, Alex is able to explode toward the ballcarrier and lay a good, fundamentally-sound tackle. Defending the pass, Alex is a better zone DB than he is man. Playing zone coverage, Alex does a great job reading the QBs eyes, recognizing where the receivers around him are, and he's able to break on the ball so incredibly quickly. Sometimes Alex makes the read a tad slowly, but it doesn't matter with how explosive he is.   He's also just as good offensively. I watched Alex absolutely embarrass a very good defense. His all-around open-field elusiveness is amongst the best I've seen. Plus, he has the strength to break most arm tackles.   Quick on his personality- Alex seemed very close with some of his teammates and kept a very positive, relaxed attitude throughout the State Championship. With how Cass Tech was playing, that is no surprise. I wish I had watched Alex during a closer game to view what he's like in a close game, so my character evaluation is definitely incomplete.   Does he start day 1 at USC? I can't answer that, but I am extremely confident that he'll develop into a sensational college football player, and maybe a successful NFL player.     I'm happy that I finally got to watch Avery in person, even if it was only for a single half of a blowout.   Avery checks all of the boxes. He's got the size, and he's got the intensity. In fact, I don't know if I've ever seen an offensive lineman make it look so easy. Against a far inferior defensive line, Avery easily executed and won his run blocks. Base block, down, reach, you name it- Avery had great footwork, great power, and played with a ton of confidence. I haven't scouted his pass blocking enough, but the reps I have seen have all been great. Avery falls into his kickstep quickly, leaves his hands up, has a great center of gravity, and a punishing punch. Lastly, he's quite agile. I watch a lot of Power 4 committed offensive lineman who are painfully sluggish and slow- not Avery.   Quickly on his personality, Avery looked locked-in and extremely engaged during pregame. Just the right amount of grit and effort I'd like to see from a B1G 10 committed lineman.   Avery is going to be an excellent guard at Michigan. I'd be shocked if he starts right away just because of how stacked Michigan's O-Line is, but eventually, I expect a very productive career.     Ever since he transferred to Belleville, Elijah has shot up just about everyone's rankings- including mine.   Elijah is as explosive as they come- that's a massive reason why he's headed to Michigan. During his time at UofD, Elijah proved he can be a great deep-intermediate route runner, sporting elite change of direction. Plus, he has good hands, but I haven't seen much to call his hands great. Elijah's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16554350/66de05fe6d64f68b3e67d93d">senior tape</a> paints a good picture. The highlight at 0:37 shows his potential as a speed-in-space player. Elijah secures the screen, and perfectly navigates through the defense for the touchdown. 1:02 is a perfect example of Elijah's excellent release then route running.   I'd be lying if I said I didn't have some concerns. Namely, the first highlight on that highlight tape shows Elijah drop the ball short of the endzone. You see that from time to time in college football, and it unanimously gets clowned on- rightfully so. Also, Elijah seems to coast way too much. At worst, if he knows the ball isn't coming to him, he can take plays off. Then, if he has an easy TD with an open field ahead, he'll slow way down.   However, I will say that I have a decent character evaluation of him from an acquaintance at UofD Jesuit. My source tells me that Elijah is a very respectful, confident, and social person. He loves all sports, and he's good at just about every sport he touches- zero shock there. As long as Elijah comes into Michigan and works his tail off, he has a shot to make a big mark.     Derrick is an easy pick for #1 defensive lineman in the class.   I most recently watched Derrick at the 2024 State Championship, and he played incredibly well. He only had 3 tackles that game, but that's because ND Prep barely ever ran the ball inside- probably a good choice on their part.   Derrick has a few rare & elite traits. First, his size is absolutely ideal for B1G 10 football. He's a well-built, dense 6'3" 270. Needless to say, he's an incredibly explosive athlete. Derrick sometimes doesn't have the best reaction time when the ball is snapped, but he's able to make up for that with an elite first step. Once he engages with an offensive lineman, he's able to simultaneously move his hands and feet. He does an excellent job at quickly shedding blocks, and he's got enough bend to beat those elite power linemen, and enough power to anchor down and fill the inside run. The more I talk about Derrick the more I think #5 may be too low for him.   I don't know much about Derrick's character. I regret not watching him more closely on the sideline during the state championship, but I have absolutely zero reason to believe he's anything but a good teammate.   Put him at DT, and watch him shine. If he keeps an elite worth ethic throughout college, there's zero reason why Derrick can't be an NFL talent. Can't wait to watch him tear offensive lines apart in East Lansing!

Here we are! My final rankings update for the Class of 2025 and my final verdict on who the Top 5 players in Michigan are. This article will share my most detailed evaluations on these five superstars. I'll cover everything I know about each prospect, from their size, skillset, personality, and more.