One of the top priorities for Michigan football in the 2027 recruiting class should be landing some blue-chip talent at linebacker.
To that end, the potential official visit of four-star linebacker Frederrick Ford would be huge. The four-star linebacker from Greenwood, Mississippi, was in Ann Arbor earlier this month for an unofficial visit.
Things went well. Michigan football offered a scholarship and seemed to vault itself near the top of the list that also includes teams like LSU, Tennessee, Florida State, and Ole Miss. Those were the four schools scheduled to get official visits this month, according to 247 Sports.
Mississippi State also had Ford on campus for an official visit. The Rivals Recruiting Prediciton Machine hasn't identified a clear favorite at this point, but Mississippi State and Ole Miss have the best chances, even though both are under 30 percent.
Ranked No. 242 overall in the Rivals Industry Rankings, Ford would satisfy a major need in the 2027 class for first-year Michigan football head coach Kyle Whittingham. The former Utah head coach has built a top-10 class, via the 247 Sports composite rankings, one with 12 blue-chip commitments, soon to be 13, however, none of those are at linebacker.
A three-star UCLA linebacker commitment is expected to visit this weekend. There is some intrigue there, but Ford is the only blue-chip target left on the board at this point.
4-star LB official visit would be massive for Michigan football
According to Ethan McDowell, the Wolverines are working on "finalizing" an official visit with Ford this weekend, which would be a massive development. LSU was on the schedule for this weekend, so that would be a good sign that Michigan has made some real headway.
At 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, Ford would be an interesting prospect. He feels like a future three-down linebacker, with the ability to play the run and cover the pass. Michigan has had a thing for versatile linebackers like this in the past, like Cole Sullivan or even Mason Curtis.
Ford feels like he's in that mold. 247 Sports has him ranked in the Top 247, and in terms of landing an elite talent at the linebacker position, he's the best option the Wolverines have, at least as the board currently stands.
The only linebacker currently committed in the 2027 class is three-star Brayden Watson out of Buford, Georgia. There is plenty to like there, but if Michigan could also add Ford to the mix, it feels like the Wolverines would be in business.
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