Is a new Michigan Football pipeline developing in North Carolina?

Is Michigan football building a talent pipeline from a North Carolina high school power? 

Providence Day High School in Charlotte is home to one of the most talented football teams in the country. With as many as 10 Division-1 prospects, head coach Chad Grier is often kept busy dealing with college coaches recruiting his kids. Michigan football is one of those in hot pursuit and many of his players are interested in the Wolverines.

The headliner of the bunch is five-star 2024 quarterback Jadyn Davis. In 2024, Michigan is also recruiting fellow five-stars Julian Sayin and CJ Carr. However, Davis already holds the Wolverines in high regard. Davis took his first visit to Ann Arbor over the weekend, which was set up quickly after an offer this spring. He will look to cut down his list this summer and should Michigan football survive that first cut, it can push to get Davis back on campus. Two schools to look out for here are Georgia and Penn State, particularly Georgia as Davis is a Georgia native.

Davis was accompanied on his trip by his starting receivers, 2024 four-stars Channing Goodwin and Jordan Shipp. Among the Providence Day contingent, Michigan’s best shot is likely with Goodwin, who is a legacy. His father, Jonathan, was a key clog in some dominant Michigan offensive lines in the early 2000s. He went on to enjoy a long NFL career with the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers. He is now Providence Day’s offensive line coach.

Michigan extended an offer to Channing Goodwin on April 25th and it will have one of its top recruiters on the case in Ron Bellamy, a former teammate of his father.  Virginia Tech, NC State, Wake Forest, and Clemson are among the other schools in contention at this stage, though I anticipate that he will emerge as a national recruit. Goodwin is currently ranked as the 213th overall prospect and No. 35 wide receiver in the 2024 class, though 247Sports ranks him 102nd overall and as the No. 16 wide receiver.

Shipp is not far behind as the 231st overall prospect and No. 38 wide receiver in the class. He is also being recruited by Bellamy and also has a relationship with freshman tight end Marlin Klein ($). This summer, Shipp plans on visiting NC State, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and West Virginia.

While Providence Day is loaded in 2024, 2023 cornerback Chris Peal can be the first of the bunch to sign with the Wolverines, though Michigan football will have its work cut out for itself to land him as Georgia leads on the crystal ball. Peal took an official visit to Georgia over the weekend.

Package deals are never a guarantee in recruiting, especially when dealing with a high school out of state. However, if Michigan football can land Davis and Goodwin, for example, that would not only be a dynamic duo to build the 2024 class around, but it could also pay future dividends with the school.

In particular, 2025 OT/EDGE David Sanders Jr. potentially may be the best of the bunch, which is particularly notable with Davis being the No. 2 overall player in 2024. Perhaps Sanders Jr. will have a couple of teammates in Ann Arbor by the time he signs his letter of intent.