The Wolverines have added more than a dozen blue-chip commitments so far in the 2027 recruiting class, along with 13 in 2026.
Between the two classes, before Thursday's newest commitment, Michigan football had 26 blue-chip commitments without a single linebacker being one of them.
Until the commitment of Frederrick Ford on Thursday, who announced his pledge to the Wolverines live on the 247 Sports YouTube Channel.
What Michigan football is getting in four-star linebacker Frederrick Ford
Out of Greenwood, Mississippi, Ford will quickly become a fan favorite among the 2027 class. The Wolverines beat out teams like Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Florida State. LSU and Missouri also offered.
It wasn't a huge offer list like you would normally see from a four-star recruit. The 6-foot-4, 203-pound linebacker is ranked No. 224 overall in the 247 Sports composite rankings. He's ranked No. 192 in the Top247, while ESPN has him ranked as the No. 140 overall prospect. He's a top-13 linebacker, according to both publications. Rivals has him rated a little lower, but the Wolverines are getting a rangy athlete who can easily become a three-down linebacker.
Ford can run sideline-to-sideline. When you watch his film, the explosiveness is evident. He's got the dreadlocks, too, which sort of makes you think of Jaishawn Barham. Watch him blitz and you might see some similarties, too.
One play Ford is covering on the sideline, and out jumps either a tight end or a receiver for an interception. He looks comfortable in the slot, but has played plenty in the box. He wold be best suited for one of Michigan's interior linebacker roles.
Even before Kyle Whittingham came to Michigan, he had a penchant for recruiting long, rangy linebackers. Lander Barton comes to mind. He was 6-foot-5 and ran the 40 in 4.79. 247 Sports reports that Ford runs the 40 in 4.7. He will need to add some weight. One thing you don't see him do a ton is take on blockers, but he usually just beats them to the spot.
That won't happen as much in the Big Ten. However, there's a lot of upside here. Ford has potential as a blitzer and the athleticism to play in coverage and not be a major liability. That's what you need in the modern-day linebacker.
It looks like Michigan football found that in Frederrick Ford, who added a much-needed blue-chip to the linebacker room in the 2027 class.
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