Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore is aware of how long-lasting negative emotions can exist between competing schools

Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore is well aware of the intense rivalry between his team and Michigan State, especially after recent player transfers between the two schools. The Wolverines gained Jaden Mangham, a former standout from the Spartans, while Michigan State acquired Semaj Bridgeman, a former Wolverines recruit. Moore expressed his satisfaction with the new additions and acknowledged the ongoing rivalry with respect and excitement.

Mangham, known for his impressive performance at Michigan State, earned recognition as an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention player in 2023. On the other hand, Bridgeman, a promising four-star linebacker, is yet to make his collegiate debut for Michigan State after previously committing to Michigan in 2023.

The upcoming 2024 season promises to be captivating as fans anticipate the performance of these players. The rivalry is set to escalate on October 26 when the two teams face off in Ann Arbor, adding even more anticipation for Bridgeman and Mangham as they prepare to compete against their former teams.

What’s going down at Michigan this year?

 

Big changes are on the horizon for Michigan football this year. The school recently saw a record-breaking number of players chosen in the 2024 NFL Draft, indicating an influx of fresh talent to be integrated into the upcoming season. Notably, the head coach transitioned from Jim Harbaugh, who secured the College Football Playoff Championship last year, to Moore, who now leads the Wolverines while Harbaugh coaches the Chargers in Los Angeles.

Moore, who previously filled in as interim coach during the final games of the 2023 regular season due to Harbaugh’s suspension amid an NCAA investigation, is well-acquainted with Michigan’s rivalries, such as battles against teams like Michigan State, Ohio State, and Penn State. The anticipation is high in Ann Arbor for the dawn of the Moore era, with fans hopeful that the team will continue its success in these crucial rivalry matchups.

Michigan football is set to kick off its 2024 season against Fresno State on August 31.

 

SEC 4-star commitment ‘seriously considering’ Michigan football

The fresh addition to the Michigan football coaching staff, Lamar Morgan, has been quite effective in his early recruiting efforts. While he hasn’t yet secured any high school recruits, he has played a key role in enhancing the team’s secondary through the transfer portal.

Despite the current focus on transfers, it’s anticipated that Morgan will soon attract high school prospects as well. The initial phase of recruiting can be challenging for new coaches as they establish connections, which partly explains why Michigan football currently has just five commitments.

Michigan’s football program has undergone significant changes with a new head coach and an entirely revamped defensive staff. Nonetheless, Morgan has shown promise in engaging with four-star cornerback Shamari Earls, a highly-rated prospect from Chester, Virginia. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 180 pounds, Earls is ranked 101st overall in the 2025 class by the 247 Sports composite rankings. While On3 and 247 Sports rate him as a top-100 prospect, he has been committed to South Carolina since April.

Michigan football has an opportunity to sway a four-star cornerback

"They rose up on my board"

Top 100 South Carolina CB commit Shamari Earls (@shamari_earls) is seriously considering Michigan after his meeting with @CoachLMorgan #GoBlue. https://t.co/v98TI4Ao5m pic.twitter.com/Z76uCMJcPI

— "EJ Holland" (@EJHollandOn3) May 28, 2024

Earls has scheduled official visits to other universities. He has one planned for South Carolina, and it’s uncertain if he will also visit Duke and Virginia. The momentum seems to be shifting towards Michigan football, and if they manage to bring the highly sought-after cornerback to their campus, they could stand a real chance at persuading him to switch allegiances.

Morgan has been actively engaging with Earls, and the impressive cornerback informed EJ Holland of The Wolverine that Michigan football has climbed in his considerations. Holland also mentioned that Earls is giving serious thought to joining the Wolverines.

Earls mentioned that Michigan is one of his “top four” choices, indicating that his commitment to South Carolina may not be rock solid. The situation is unfolding, but if the top-100 cornerback visits Ann Arbor, the chances of Michigan successfully convincing him to flip teams would significantly increase.