Michigan Reassesses Recruiting Strategy After Key Target Recommits to Southern Schools
The value of a recruit’s words during the summer visit season can be fleeting, as players often speak positively about all schools until they make a final decision. Michigan was heavily involved in the recruitment of four-star South Carolina playmaker Sequel Patterson, but things have taken an unexpected turn.
Despite Patterson naming Michigan as a top contender along with Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee, the Wolverines have been eliminated from his list of considerations. Patterson, a two-way standout and the 10th-best athlete in his class, recently reclassified from the 2027 class to 2026. Although he was a top-100 recruit in the 2027 class, his move to the 2026 class has dropped him in rankings due to concerns about his size (standing at 6’0″ and weighing 165 pounds).
Nevertheless, Patterson’s talent is undeniable. As a sophomore at Indian Land last season, he accumulated over 1,200 total yards, including 758 receiving yards, 441 rushing yards, and 160 passing yards. He also made an impact on defense with 23 tackles, eight pass deflections, and two interceptions, according to MaxPreps.
Just last week, Rivals had Michigan firmly in the race for Patterson, but that has since changed. At the time, Rivals noted Patterson’s high regard for Michigan, alongside Clemson, Tennessee, and South Carolina. He even expressed interest in securing an official visit to Ann Arbor.
However, Patterson’s descriptions of what he values in other programs, particularly Tennessee, Clemson, and South Carolina, hint that Michigan may not have been the right fit.
On Tennessee: “I like Tennessee’s style of play, they really recruit me hard and make me feel at home. We have a great relationship, and I was up there for the Florida game, which was an amazing experience.”
On Clemson: “I love how Clemson operates. They haven’t offered yet, but when they do, I know it will be real. The staff is fantastic, and the family atmosphere there is special.”
On South Carolina: “South Carolina feels like home. They really focus on recruiting in-state players, and their success with local talent speaks for itself.”
For Michigan, this shift means they will have to move on and focus on finding the next recruit who can bring more speed and creativity to their offense.
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