Some players are higher on the board than others, no matter the recruiting ranking. Which is why it’s a good thing for Michigan football that arguably its top defensive target in 2025 is one of the more highly-rated players in the country.
2025 Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng may be a Notre Dame legacy as his brother played there, but he wasn’t a lock to end up in South Bend. It seemed like it earlier in the process, but the Wolverines were persistently among his top choices and after every visit, he raved about Ann Arbor.
It came down to Michigan and Colorado and on early signing day, Owusu-Boateng chose to wear maize and blue.
He made his decision known on ESPN 2.
Here is how he ranks according to the recruiting services:
| * | Ovr | Pos | St | |
| 247Sports Composite | 4 | 299 | 21 | 11 |
| On3 Industry Ranking | 4 | 188 | 19 | 25 |
| 247Sports | 4 | – | 27 | 28 |
| On3 | 3 | – | 39 | 57 |
| ESPN | 4 | 81 | 8 | 13 |
| Rivals | 5 | 28 | 2 | 7 |
The rankings are all over the place, with most services having him as a four-star, On3 as a three-star, and Rivals as a five-star.
The scouting report from 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins:
Speed-and-space linebacker that can hawk down ball carriers and spy quarterbacks. Tips the scales at just over 6-foot, 200 pounds and appears to still have some growth potential with his lean, muscular build. Started prep career off in the DMV before arriving at IMG Academy where he emerged as a team leader in advance of senior season. At his best in chase mode, but has shown over the years that he’s willing to attack blockers or play around them. Tends to strike opponents when the opportunity presents itself. Has proven to be rather effective against the pass as he’s athletic and agile enough to mirror tight ends underneath or down the seam. Should be viewed as a potential impact player at the Power Four level. Might lack the payload at this stage to hold up against a true down-hill run game, but sideline-to-sideline range could lead to plenty of success on Saturdays.
With Owusu-Boateng in the fold, Michigan has its middle linebacker of the future. He’s the 22nd commit in the 2025 cycle and second linebacker in the class.