Add the name of four-star linebacker Frederrick Ford to the Michigan football recruiting board.
The Wolverines offered the four-star linebacker out of Greenwood, Mississippi, earlier this month, back on June 4th. Since Then, Kyle Whittingam's Michigan football program has been pushing for one of the fastest risers in this recruiting class, culminating with an official visit this week.
Brice Marich of The Michigan Insider reported the surprise official visit taken by Ford to Ann Arbor on Wednesday. The 6-foot-5, 190-pound linebacker, according to 247 Sports, is ranked No. 225 overall in the 2027 class, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings.
Ford only has 12 offers. That's why he's one of the fastest-rising prospects in 2027. Mississippi, Mississippi State, Florida State, Tennessee, and LSU are some of the teams that have offered.
Ford is scheduled to visit Tennessee this week, and then LSU on June 19th. He already visited Florida State and Mississippi State. Ford debuted in the Top247 back in March. The Vols had him on campus during the spring, and they are one of the top contenders to land Ford's commitment.
Michigan football makes a strong push to land Frederrick Ford
If there is one spot where Michigan could really use a blue-chip recruit, it's at linebacker. The Wolverines landed a trio of three-star players in 2026. That doesn't mean they won't succeed down the road, but it's important to accumulate talent and Ford would be a solid addition.
Despite the recent offer, the mid-week official visit makes the Wolverines feel like a true contender for the dynamic linebacker, who would add a playmaking presence to be developed for the future.
Michigan's official visit is the sixth. It remains to be seen if he takes all of them, but a clear favorite hasn't emerged. None of the six contenders: Tennessee, LSU, Ole Miss, Florida State, Mississippi State or Michigan football has better than a 27 percent chance to land the blue-chip linebacker, according to the Rivals Recruiting Prediction Machine.
The Wolverines could start trending up here. They have shown the ability to close once they get players on campus. We have seen official visits turn into commitments, or even unofficial visits lead to commitments.
Recruits seem to be deciding faster, too. There aren't as many spots available as there used to be. Ford is an intriguing prospect, though. He's rangy. One of his highlights shows an athletic interception. He also seems to have a knack for blitzing.
Ford seems like a classic SEC linebacker. Landing him would be a boon for the Wolverines and Alex Whittingham. There is work to do, but this official visit has Michigan in the hunt.
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