The recruitment of Madden Faraimo might sound familiar. This marks another loss of a linebacker recruit to Notre Dame, following Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa.
On Saturday, Notre Dame defeated USC on the football field. On Wednesday, the Irish once again bested the Trojans, this time on the recruiting trail. Heading into signing day, USC football was the favorite to land San Diego four-star linebacker Madden Faraimo. On Wednesday morning, however, Faraimo instead picked Notre Dame.
According to the On3 Consensus rankings, Faraimo is the No. 77 overall player in the class of 2024. He is also the No. 4 linebacker and the No. 6 player in the state of California.
Faraimo spurning the Trojans was likely related to the departure of USC linebackers coach Matt Entz. With Entz accepting the head coaching job at Fresno State Wednesday morning, there was major uncertainty as to who would have been Faraimo’s position coach had he picked USC.
Yet, any time you lose out on a recruit to your most hated rival, it is not pleasant. This marks another loss of a linebacker recruit to Notre Dame, a prominent recent example being Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa.
The loss of Faraimo, to go along with Entz’s departure, will dampen what was a promising day for the Trojans, but not as complete a conquest as the program hoped.
USC is making offseason waves with an early signing period splash, taking a player away from Deion Sanders and Colorado. Not bad at all.
In recent weeks, the USC Trojans have struggled in recruiting, losing some top commits. Whether due to the letdown of a season, finishing 6-6 overall and 4-5 in its first their first season in the Big Ten, or a lack of faith in head coach Lincoln Riley, the Trojan program has been losing recruits in flips. One of the top recruits lost was 5-star quarterback Julian Lewis, who decommitted from USC football and committed to Colorado under head coach Deion Sanders. However, on Wednesday, the tide began to turn.
Eric Henderson landed five-star defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart. That got the train rolling. Then came another bright spot, and a recruit who has risen for the Trojans. The experts pointed to this before the start of the early signing period: Allen Trieu of 247Sports recently reported that 4-star cornerback/safety Alex Graham was all but certain to decommit from Colorado and commit to the Trojans.
Graham is a 6-foot-1 Detroit product. He is the 4th-best player in Michigan and 34th-best cornerback in the class, per 247Sports.
The flip marks an early offseason win for defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn and secondary coach Doug Belk, who are both entering their first full offseason in their respective positions.
The fact that this defensive staff is getting work done in its first full offseason is a great sign for the future of the USC defense.
Four-star safety Alex Graham is no longer riding with head coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes.
During the first day of the early signing period, Graham flipped his commitment from Colorado to the USC Trojans. The class of 2025 prospect had been committed to the Buffs since April 26 before signing with head coach Lincoln Riley’s Trojans.
Graham’s flip was largely expected heading into Wednesday. Earlier this week, 247Sports national recruiting analyst Allen Trieu predicted the 6-foot-1, 186-pound defensive back to have a late change of heart.
The 247Sports composite ranked Graham as the No. 4 class of 2025 prospect in Michigan.
After losing Graham, Colorado now boasts 14 class of 2025 commitments, including signed safety Antonio Branch Jr. However, with Shilo Sanders and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig moving on after this season, expect Coach Prime to sign another safety, possibly through the transfer portal.
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Michigan football certainly isn’t done after Bryce Underwood flipped his longtime commitment to LSU, his dream school, to the Wolverines on Thursday. With 13 days until the early signing period, several uncommitted recruits and prospects committed elsewhere will give the maize and blue a strong look.
Not long after Underwood’s surprise (in terms of timing) pledge to the Wolverines, On3 vice president Steve Wiltfong logged three predictions via the On3 recruiting prediction machine for Michigan football to flip now that Underwood is in the fold.
Steve Wiltfong just On3 crystal balled:
4⭐️CB Alex Graham
4⭐️WR Derek Meadows
4⭐️LB Bradley Gompers
Here’s more on each: Where they are, ranking and scouting report.
Alex Graham
Photo: Isaiah Hole
The in-state defensive back from Detroit (Michigan) Cass Tech (though he briefly played at IMG Academy in Florida) has long been committed to Colorado, but officially visited Michigan football for the Oregon game earlier this month.
A play-making defensive back prospect that began his prep career up in Detroit before transferring into the national powerhouse that is IMG Academy ahead of junior season. Size hasn’t been third-party verified, but looks to be pushing 6-foot with more of a stout build. Has experience working in both press-man and off coverage. Rather fluid with his backpedal and does a nice job of mirroring with his hips while trying to steer wide receivers towards the sidelines. Not one that usually shies away from contact and tends to embrace his role in run support. Lack of data points isn’t ideal, but he has looked the part as an 11th grader working opposite five-star corner Ellis Robinson IV, and did win a number of track and field awards as a youngster. Could carve out a role at a number of spots in the secondary. Must stay healthy having dealt with numerous injuries over the years, but has multi-year Power Five starter upside and tools to emerge as a difference-maker on the backend.
Derek Meadows
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Meadows was once a five-star prospect but has dropped slightly in the recruiting rankings over the course of the 2025 cycle. He visited Michigan football for the spring game and again in the summer recruiting cycle before committing to LSU. The Las Vegas (Nevada) Bishop Gorman four-star wideout surprised many by taking an unofficial visit to Ann Arbor for the Oregon game. Still committed to LSU, Notre Dame is also a contender for a flip.
Meadows is a jumbo receiver and one of the more intriguing players in the ’25 class. He has a rare combination of size, athleticism and body control and is only scratching the surface of how good we think he can be. At 6-6, 200 pounds and an 80” wingspan, he’s a matchup nightmare for smaller defensive backs and should be an immediate red zone threat. He can run as well and is one of the region’s top track athletes although a hamstring injury has limited him this Spring. He was the Gatorade Track and Field Athlete of the Year as a sophomore and is one of the region’s top hurdlers. He has a big frame and it wouldn’t shock us if he eventually grows in to a pass catching tight end who would be lethal working against linebackers and safeties down the middle of the field. Saying that, he has a receiver skill set and we’ve seen him dominate on the 7v7 circuit with his length, jump ball skills and ability to catch the ball through contact. His upside is extremely high and with continued development, there’s no question he has the potential to play on Sundays for a very long time.
On3’s Michigan insider EJ Holland and LSU insider Shea Dixon also put in flip predictions for Meadows to end up in Ann Arbor.
Bradley Gompers
Photo: Isaiah Hole
A former high school teammate of current Michigan football linebacker Cole Sullivan has been committed to Duke for some time. However, the 2025 Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Central Catholic athlete visited Ann Arbor for the MSU game late in October.
Three-phase impact playmaker for WPIAL 6A power program Pittsburgh Central Catholic at an estimated 6-foot-5, 215 pound billing. Missed the majority of his junior season due to a broken collarbone but has played at a Mr. PA Football level through nine games of his senior campaign. Senior season highlights are show-stopping in all three phases and include work at linebacker, wide receiver, tight end, and as an edge rusher. Above-the-rim basketball tape clearly translates on the gridiron. Arrives at the contact point with violent intentions but can also operate in space as a coverage defender. Schools seem to be split on tight end or linebacker at the next level as National Signing Day approaches. Should be viewed as a highly athletic well put together football player who reads the game on both sides of the ball at a high level. Lack of verified testing and measurement data isn’t ideal, but has the multi-sport indicators and playmaking prowess to suggest immense NFL Draft upside.
Who else should you be on the look out for?
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Michigan is in a good spot with others who have shown recent interest. While it may be unrelated, Bradenton (Florida) IMG Academy four-star linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng announced shortly after Underwood’s commitment that he will not visit Texas this weekend as planned.
Alabama commit, 2025 Denton (Texas) Ryan five-star offensive tackle Ty Haywood should be on the radar, as should 2025 Cocoa (Florida) four-star WR Jayvan Boggs, who is set to visit this weekend.
Coach Prime has earned another commitment from an IMG Academy standout
The IMG Academy to Colorado pipeline is open, as the Buffs earned another commitment from the prestigious sports boarding school on Friday.
Rated as a four-star prospect (247Sports composite), defensive back Alex Graham has joined Colorado football’s 2025 recruiting class. The Detroit native checks in at 6-foot-1, 186 pounds.
Current Colorado offensive tackle Jordan Seaton also played high school football at IMG Academy.
Spending time at both cornerback and wide receiver at IMG, Graham is willing to come up and play the run and isn’t afraid to throw his weight around when meeting ball carriers. For those reasons, I wouldn’t be surprised if he converts to safety at the college level.
Graham’s commitment follows a string of Colorado pledges from the transfer portal, including running back Rashad Amos and offensive lineman Wyatt Hummel. It also shows that Coach Prime and his staff are keeping an eye on the program’s future.
Graham is currently Colorado’s only class of 2025 commit.
BREAKING: Four-Star CB Alex Graham has Committed to Colorado, he tells me for @on3recruits
The 6’1 190 CB from Detroit, MI chose the Buffaloes over Michigan, Georgia, & Alabama
Once upon a time, Alex Graham suited up for elite local program Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech. But like many top prospects around the country, Graham transferred the prestigious Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy, the premier high school program in the United States.
It’s the same path that former Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy took departing Nazareth (Ill.) Academy, and Michigan football hopes that it can secure the local product as a prodigal son.
Good news on that front came on Thursday when Graham, a 2025 five-star defensive back, released his top seven. Michigan football made the cut along with Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, Penn State, Colorado, and Utah.
NEWS: Four-Star CB Alex Graham is down to 7️⃣ Schools!
The 6’1 188 CB from Detroit, MI is ranked as the No. 3 CB in the state of Florida (per On3)
Graham is listed as a safety by 247Sports and is rated the No. 159 prospect nationally by the 247Sports Composite. On3 has him listed as a cornerback. Meanwhile, his highest ranking comes courtesy of ESPN which has him as the No. 63 player in the country. Rivals has him at No. 78 overall.
A play-making defensive back prospect that began his prep career up in Detroit before transferring into the national powerhouse that is IMG Academy ahead of junior season. Size hasn’t been third-party verified, but looks to be pushing 6-foot with more of a stout build. Has experience working in both press-man and off coverage. Rather fluid with his backpedal and does a nice job of mirroring with his hips while trying to steer wide receivers towards the sidelines. Not one that usually shies away from contact and tends to embrace his role in run support. Lack of data points isn’t ideal, but he has looked the part as an 11th grader working opposite five-star corner Ellis Robinson IV, and did win a number of track and field awards as a youngster. Could carve out a role at a number of spots in the secondary. Must stay healthy having dealt with numerous injuries over the years, but has multi-year Power Five starter upside and tools to emerge as a difference-maker on the backend.
247Sports does have one crystal ball indicating his school of choice — Allen Trieu has put in a prediction that he’ll eventually end up a Wolverine. However, that was back in November 2022, so we’ll see how he jells with the new coaching staff, though he continues to be recruited by Ron Bellamy and new head coach Sherrone Moore.
Highlighting five players Michigan State football offered on Monday
It has been another busy week already for the Michigan State football staff, as they continue to make in-roads on the recruiting trail around the country looking for the next generation of ‘Spartan Dawgs’ and maybe even the ‘No Fly Zone’.
Monday was notably busy for MSU, particularly for the two coaches in the defensive backfield: Blue Adams and Demetrice Martin. There were five recruiting offers that were sent out on Monday to defensive backs that we will highlight below, including one huge name in the 2025 class and an elite 2027 player as well.
You can take a quick look at five of the guys MSU offered on Monday below.
Oklahoma gets a jump on its recruiting future, extending offers to a number of 2025 and 2026 prospects.
While the 2024 class is next up for the calendar year, recruiting future classes starts with years of relationships. Those relationships take time to build and don’t always develop overnight. It’s imperative to lay the foundation early on, which is why it should come as no surprise that the Sooners sent a flurry of offers to 2025 and 2026 prospects in recent weeks.
Recruiting services have hardly evaluated them enough to rank them all just yet. These players have already received Power Five offers and look to be premier players who will eventually be significant prospects come their senior year.
We’ve taken the liberty to take a brief look at these 2025 and 2026 offers and offer a bit of insight about each.
The Badgers offered Alex Graham, a class of 2025 four-star athlete from Detroit on Friday.
Wisconsin offered Alex Graham, a four-star athlete from the class of 2025 on Friday. Graham is a 6-foot-1 sophomore at Cass Technical in Detroit, Michigan and has experience playing cornerback, safety and wide receiver.
Graham still has approximately two years before making a decision on where he wants to play collegiate football, but the athlete has already received 11 Division 1 offers. With in-state powerhouse Michigan amongst those that have offered, the Badgers have their work cut out for them to obtain his commitment.
Wisconsin has quickly become a top destination for talent in the country with the addition of Luke Fickell at head coach, Phil Longo at offensive coordinator and Mike Tressel coaching the defense. As a result of those three, the Badgers have brought in over a dozen transfers this offseason on top of increasing the amount of high schoolers interested in joining the program.
