Recruiting Roundup: Elite five-star WR planning spring visit to Michigan

Kyle Whittingham and this new Michigan football coaching staff have wasted little time getting to work recruiting players. They know how important it is to succeed on the recruiting trail, but especially regionally and in the state of Michigan. Let’s start today’s Recruiting Roundup discussing one of those in-state prospects that is high on the Wolverines’ board.

Elite WR talks new Michigan coaching staff, desire to visit soon

One of the best players in Michigan regardless of class is 2028 five-star wide receiver Deandre Bidden. At 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, the Harper Woods native is currently ranked No. 5 overall, No. 2 at his position and No. 1 in the state on 247Sports’ composite.

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Bidden has offers from all over the country and will be a focal point for nearly every blue blood on the recruiting trail. He recently spoke with On3’s Ethan McDowell ($) and discussed what was a pretty chaotic month of January getting to know the coaching staffs — Michigan, LSU, Oregon and Miami — that swung through his school.

While those coaches couldn’t communicate face-to-face with him, their presence was certainly felt, and that includes the contingent from Ann Arbor that included Whittingham, wide receivers coach Micah Simon (twice, in fact), offensive coordinator Jason Beck and quarterbacks coach Koy Detmer Jr.

Bidden has been to Michigan before, including for the Ohio State game in November, and he plans on returning this spring. He also wants to check out other schools like Michigan State, Ohio State and Penn State. As it pertains to the Wolverines, he has some things in mind already that he wants to get to know better.

“I want to learn the offense and what type of offense they’re going to run,” Bidden said. “Everybody’s saying, ‘Michigan is just a running team. They’re going to run the ball.’ So I want to see what they’re going to do with Bryce being a sophomore this year and actually knowing the game and what they’re going to do.”

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Four-star LB includes Michigan in top list

Meanwhile, in the 2027 class, four-star linebacker Broncs Baker dropped his top-six list on Friday. Included on that list are Michigan, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Boise State, Oregon State and Washington State.

In an interview with Rivals’ Adam Gorney ($), Baker (6-foot-1, 215 pounds from Tooele, Utah) revealed why the Wolverines — who just offered him back on Jan. 27 — made his top list.

“Coach Alex Whittingham and I have been talking and texting a few times a week,” Baker said. “I think that new staff turns Michigan into a powerhouse in Year 1. I can tell they value my play style. Definitely visiting in March.”

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“Definitely visiting in March” is a pretty strong quote, as it appears he is really eager to check out what Ann Arbor has to offer him.

Baker originally committed to Cal in September, but backed off that verbal pledge in November. Additionally, Gorney said that “Michigan and West Virginia have jumped out in his recruitment,” so it appears Whittingham and company have a legit shot here as long as they keep the foot on the gas.

Quick Hitters

• 2027 four-star wide receiver Julius Jones Jr. included the Wolverines in his top-eight list on Friday, along with Miami, Texas, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Oregon and Notre Dame.