Michigan football ends commitment drought with elite D-line pledge

If you’re going to end a commitment drought, you might as well do it in style, which is what Michigan football did on Monday landing elite defensive line recruit Nate Marshall.

Marshall is from Oak Park, Illinois. He’s 6-foot-4, 265 pounds, and visited Michigan football over the weekend for the spring game. Some positive buzz came out on Sunday, followed by some expert projections.

We wondered when a commitment would come with official visits set for other programs this summer. But turns out, we didn’t have to wait long as new D-line coach Lou Esposito has his first pledge in the 2025 class. It’s also the first commitment since January, ending a three-month commitment drought.

BREAKING: Four-Star DL Nate Marshall has Committed to Michigan, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’4 250 DL from Chicago, IL chose the Wolverines over Ohio State, Alabama, & Auburn

“All Glory to the man above! I’m home. Go Blue!”https://t.co/q6SSwqOBGY pic.twitter.com/Nl5OYfx1vr

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 22, 2024

Marshall chose Michigan football over Ohio State, Auburn, and Alabama, telling Hayes Fawcett of On3.com, “All Glory to the man above. I’m home. Go Blue!”

Breaking down Nate Marshall commitment for Michigan football

Marshall is a big-time commitment for a few reasons. One, it ends the drought. It also gives Michigan some true momentum on the recruiting trail.

There have been some positive crystal balls and trends, but it’s good to get a dude on board. He’s elite too. That’s not an exaggeration. Marshall is ranked 35th overall according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. That’s just outside five-star territory for the No. 4 defensive lineman in the 2025 class.

We have seen over the past three seasons how far a dominant defensive line can get you. That, as much as anything, is why Michigan football has won three straight Big Ten championships. The running game and offensive line are hugely important too, plus the quarterback.

But the best teams in college football kick ass up front. This commitment will allow Michigan to keep doing that. It will also start the process of shutting up Ohio State fans who act like Michigan isn’t landing recruits because of the NCAA. That’s absurd and Michigan is about to go on a run, just ask Wink Martindale.

A commitment from in-state offensive tackle Avery Gach feels like it’s coming too. He might wait until the summer but Michigan finally has momentum, so who knows?

Scouting report

It’s great to see Michigan’s commitment drought end and it’s pretty sweet to do it by landing an elite prospect like Marshall. Here’s the scouting report from Allen Trieu of 247 Sports:

“Has a background that includes basketball and offense, where he sometimes splits way out wide and can be effective playing from that spot. Carries that athleticism over to defense where he is comfortable in space and pursuit. Can change directions and chase down plays. Shows motor and does not give up on plays. Shifts from outside to inside and has played up and down the line. Carries his weight very well so could continue to pack on pounds and be a combo guy in college. Does not currently have bad weight. Long-term projection is likely most likely as a five-tech but that depends on physical development. Combo of athleticism and versatility make him a high-end prospect. Has to continue developing from a technical standpoint with his hands and get stronger, but he looks like he will be a starter for high-major program and has the baseline tools to play beyond college.”

When you see what Michigan was able to do with Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham, the idea of giving the Wolverines a top-50 talent on the D-line to mold is scary, even with a new defensive coaching staff.

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