Another elite RB appears to eliminate Michigan football from contention

When Michigan football hired Tony Alford, it seemed like running back recruiting was trending up. However, this week has been rough for the Wolverines and has sent them back to square one.

Earlier in the week, despite getting multiple crystal ball projections, Kentucky beat out Michigan football to land Marquise Davis, the No. 11 running back in the 2025 class according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. He’s ranked seventh in Ohio and No. 165 overall.

It was a gut punch. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. However, many Michigan football fans held out hope that the Wolverines could find a way to land another Ohio running back, Bo Jackson.

Unfortunately, that won’t happen either.

Michigan football doesn’t make Bo Jackson’s top three

I wasn’t optimistic about Jackson after missing on Davis, which was all about NIL. Jackson is ranked even higher at No. 72 overall in the 2025 recruiting class. The Cleveland product is the No. 5 running back in the 2025 class. He’s also the fourth-ranked player in the state of Ohio.

Jackson would have been a great rebound for the Wolverines but Michigan football isn’t even going to get an official visit. Ohio State, which is the crystal ball leader, will get a visit. Alabama and Georgia will too. Jackson posted on X that all three teams would get a visit but that no one else would.

Very blessed and humbled Huge thanks to all the schools that invited me to do an OV but I can only OV 3@AlabamaFTBL 🌊 @OhioStateFB 🅾️@GeorgiaFootball 🐶 pic.twitter.com/gmTY8NTNv4

— Bo Jackson (@BoJackson2025) May 3, 2024

If the Wolverines got Davis as expected, this wouldn’t be a big deal. But as it stands, the Wolverines will miss on both highly-touted running backs from Ohio. It’s disappointing, but as long as Michigan coaches have to recruit with one arm tied behind their backs, this will be the result.

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