Nick Durand has been a Michigan football beat writer for Maize n Brew since 2023, covering games, press conferences and more.
The early signing period has come and gone, and all of Michigan's 2025 recruiting class is locked in. With the class having put pen to paper already, a good amount of the players are taking advantage starting their college careers early by enrolling for the upcoming winter semester.
By doing so, players will have the chance to participate in winter conditioning and spring practice -- as well as bowl practices this month -- in the hopes of getting some early playing time once the 2025 season rolls around.
Here's the list of signees coming to campus early, with their rankings courtesy of the 247Sports composite.
By having four players listed inside the top-100, Michigan is set to receive a nice influx of young talent for the winter and spring.
Quarterback is one position Michigan fans will want to monitor closely this offseason. With Underwood getting on campus early, the coaching staff will be able to kickstart his development and get a better sense of where he stands in the quarterback competition. The chance to develop chemistry with two freshman receivers in Andrew Marsh and Jamar Browder certainly doesn't hurt either.
The offensive line will be another position to watch, as Michigan could use more competition up front. The offensive line figures to be a new-look group once again next season, and it helps for Babalola, Gach and Strayhorn to get in the mix, even if it's not for starting spots right away.
Another key addition here is Earls. Michigan will need some competition in the secondary with Will Johnson likely heading to the NFL and Aamir Hall out of eligibility. By getting Earls to Ann Arbor early, he'll have a chance to compete for early playing time.