After ending its commitment drought on Tuesday by landing elite tight end Matt Ludwig, Michigan football got a jolt of momentum.
Now, the Wolverines are hoping they can build on that with a five-star recruit - linebacker Tyler Atkinson to be more specific.
Atkinson is 6-foot-2, 210 pounds and the definition of an elite defensive prospect. He's ranked as the No. 1 linebacker by On3 and according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. He's also ranked ninth overall.
Michigan trying to win heavily-contested recruitment for No. 1 linebacker
Out of Loganville, Georgia, Atkinson has no shortage of suitors. South Carolina is the crystal ball leader according to the 247 Sports projections, however, Michigan football is trying to make a move as linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary made an in-home visit with the elite linebacker on Tuesday.
Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, and Auburn are listed as "warm" on his 247 Sports recruiting profile. Yet, Clemson is the only school to have an official visit on the schedule.
Atkinson has visited Georgia multiple times in 2025. The Bulldogs are the leader in this recruitment according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, but Clemson will also have hosted him twice once he comes for his official visit on May 30th.
Michigan is trying to become a factor. This in-home visit is a good start. He hasn't visited Ann Arbor, at least according to On3, while Georgia has had him on campus 13 times.
That's not insurmountable but the Wolverines need to get him on campus, probably two or three times before a commitment is even a realistic possibility.