2024 CFP National Championship - Michigan v Washington

"The guys we’re getting are special athletes": QB commit Carter Smith hypes up Michigan's 2025 recruiting class

Modified Jul 08, 2024 13:16 GMT

Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith committed to the Michigan Wolverines' 2025 recruitment class last year over Florida State, Penn State and Texas A&M. Besides remaining loyal to his commitment, he is also working behind the scenes to bolster the program's future rosters.

One of the signal-caller's targets is tight end prospect Andrew Olesh, with whom he had a chance to bond during UM's Victors Weekend.

"I think we have a really good shot with Olesh," Carter Smith told On3. "I think we really sold him on what we have to offer. Being a tight end recruit, there is nobody that produces tight ends like we do — consistently and have had long NFL careers."

Olesh is considering Penn State, Alabama, Florida and Michigan and is leaning toward the Wolverines with an 86.1% chance, according to On3's recruiting machine.

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Carter Smith has also set his sights on wide receiver Phillip Wright, with whom he interacted at Michigan's spring game.

“I got a good vibe from him," Smith said. "If we can land him, I’d be really excited because he’s a really athletic receiver. It would be fun to throw to him.”

Wright's top three schools are Georgia, LSU and Michigan, with the Wolverines holding a 92.6% chance of securing his commitment. He plans to announce his college decision on July 13.

Another key target for Smith is wide receiver Andrew Marsh.

“I told him Coach (Kirk) Campbell is going to open up the offense, and we’re going to throw the rock," Smith said. "We’ll run the ball, but we’ll throw it just as much. I spent a little time with Kamar Archie. As long as you buy into the culture, it’s a perfect scenario for anyone.”

The Wolverines are currently trending for Marsh, with an 84.7% chance.

Carter Smith's recruiting efforts also extend to five-star offensive lineman Andrew Babalola.

"I’ve been telling him that Michigan is the No. 1 public school," Smith said. "You get to play great football and have a great education. Michigan does well with setting kids up in the future, and you get to compete for a national championship. That was my selling point to him.”

Babalola visited Michigan officially on the weekend of June 14, but Stanford currently leads in his recruitment with a 90.3% chance.

Carter Smith is also developing bonds with players from his class:

“They are all really cool people," Smith said. "We all have the same end goal. We’re all on the same page. They all have great personalities. I definitely got lucky with the group I’m with. The guys we’re getting are special athletes. Just be patient and wait. Things are going to fall into place.”

Carter Smith leads the charge for Michigan's underwhelming recruitment class

The Wolverines have 13 players committed to the 2025 class. The class stands at No. 17 nationally, a slight dip from their previous position of No. 15, according to On3. Within the Big Ten, their standing has also slipped, dropping from No. 3 to No. 4.

Carter Smith might toil hard to pursue some blue-chip prospects in the class to boost the Wolverines' position once again.

Michigan's 2025 class is headlined by four-star players like Nate Marshall, Kainoa Winston, Avery Gach, Jaylen Williams, Julius Holly, Jacob Washington and Bobby Kanka. The class also has three-star players like Jasper Parker, Kaden Strayhorn, Eli Owens and Chase Taylor.