We are just about upon the early signing period. Recruits will be able to officially sign their National Letters of Intent between December 4th and 6th. Most recruits are expected to sign during this period, but some will take their recruitments into February. With that being said, let's look at three big storylines concerning Michigan football during signing day.
Will Andrew Olesh stick?
Elite tight end Andrew Olesh is expected to sign his NLI on Friday. Where he will be signing to remains unknown. The Pennsylvania native has been committed to the Wolverines since July, but has been keeping his recruitment open, having visited Penn State and Oregon. There have been family concerns about a potential punishment coming from the NCAA, and, as a Pennsylvania family, Penn State does have an inside track with Olesh.
Oregon is trending for five star Kansas State tight end Linkon Cure and just picked up a 2026 five star tight end commitment. It seems unlikely at this point that Olesh goes with the Ducks, but you never know these days.
Penn State, on the other hand, is putting on the full court press. It likely helps the Nittany Lions that Michigan beat Ohio State to send PSU to the Big Ten Championship. The Nittany Lions are the hometown team and, like Michigan, utilize the tight end a lot in the passing game.
What Penn State, or any other program in the nation doesn't have, is Bryce Underwood. Michigan's future outlook is incredibly bright, and it's a fair expectation to say that the Wolverines will be in serious National Championship contention as soon as next season. The recent developments on Michigan's end make me optimistic that Olesh will stay with the Wolverines, but you can't count out the home town team. Especially when the family seems to be pushing more towards Penn State.