Elite defensive freshman standing out for Michigan Wolverines in spring training, could replace first-round pick
The Michigan Wolverines' recruiting coup of securing Bryce Underwood was a massive program-shifting win, but it wasn't their only major successful recruiting flip of the 2025 cycle. The Wolverines also flipped top-10 cornerback recruit Shamari Earls from the Georgia Bulldogs. Earls, a 6'2 perimeter cornerback from Virginia, committed to the Bulldogs in July after visits […]
The Michigan Wolverines' recruiting coup of securing Bryce Underwood was a massive program-shifting win, but it wasn't their only major successful recruiting flip of the 2025 cycle.
The Wolverines also flipped top-10 cornerback recruit Shamari Earls from the Georgia Bulldogs. Earls, a 6'2 perimeter cornerback from Virginia, committed to the Bulldogs in July after visits with Tennessee, Alabama, Michigan, and Georgia. However, he decommitted from Georgia in November before flipping to join the Wolverines the same day.
Now in spring training, Michigan is reaping the rewards of pulling off that flip. Earls has been a standout in camp and could be in line to start right out of the gate as a true freshman.
Michigan wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Ron Bellamy heaped plenty of praise on Earls, comparing him similarly to Will Johnson, a likely first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft later this month.
"I mentioned the other day to coach Morgan was Shamari Earls, the freshman from Virginia. He’s a long, 6-2 corner, can move, very skilled. Those types of body types…he’s built a little longer than Will Johnson, and those guys give receivers problems just because if you beat them initially, they can recover with their length and athleticism. He’s a kid we’re expecting big things from. His recruitment … everyone in the nation wanted him, and you can see why. I think he’s a really good player."
With Will Johnson gone to the NFL, Michigan's corner lost a tremendous talent and needs a tremendous talent to fill his shoes and lift the rest of the secondary. Jyaire Hill returns to man one spot outside, and Zeke Berry is at his best as a nickel, leaving an outside corner spot wide open in Michigan's secondary.
If Earls can step in and fill in that void, that would go a long way in securing Michigan's secondary for the 2025 season.
