Despite years of success at the cornerback position, Michigan football has only had intermittent success at recruiting the position.
Yes, the Wolverines have arguably the best corner in all of college football in Will Johnson, but the past few cycles have seen the maize and blue struggle when it comes to attracting top talent at the position.
Though that’s sometimes worked out — JoZiah Edmond was a lowly-ranked three-star at the time of his commitment but finished 2024 as one of the top prospects nationally — given the track record of the program with cornerbacks, it would stand to reason that cornerbacks would flock to Ann Arbor.
However, the only corner commit Michigan has had this cycle, four-star Chris Ewald, decommitted from the program. The other targets have mostly pledged elsewhere.
That track record might change, as Michigan is honing in on 2025 Kilgore (Tx.) four-star Jayden Sanders. On Wednesday, the Wolverines got two predictions from On3 (EJ Holland, Justin Wells) noting that Sanders will choose to play in Ann Arbor.
Here is how Sanders ranks according to the recruiting services:
| * | Ovr. | Pos. | St. | |
| 247Sports Composite | 4 | 322 | 32 | 50 |
| On3 Industry Ranking | 4 | 312 | 30 | 47 |
| 247Sports | 4 | – | 30 | 46 |
| On3 | 4 | 203 | 21 | 33 |
| ESPN | 3 | – | 72 | 119 |
| Rivals | 3 | – | 39 | 97 |
The scouting report from 247Sports’ Gabe Brooks:
Unverified size, but looks tall and wiry on the hoof. Instinctive three-phase playmaker with a strong football pedigree as the son of a former all-conference corner who played on some great TCU late 2000s teams. Three-sport athlete with experience in basketball and track and field that shows in functional athleticism on the gridiron. Elevates in the open floor with above-the-rim finishing ability. Productive in all three phases, including two special teams TDs as a junior. Field-stretching vertical shot threat at receiver. Big-framed corner on D with potential to fit a framey boundary corner role quite well, though skill set and instincts also could fit over the top at safety. Not necessarily a top-end burner but plenty fast with unorthodox gait, but does not get caught from behind. Bona fide Power Four prospect in the secondary. Owns the developmental potential to become a difference maker in college with NFL Draft upside.
Sanders is expected to visit for the BBQ at the Big House later this month. He also has offers from Vanderbilt, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Michigan State, TCU, SMU, Kansas, Northwestern, and others.