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Michigan Enters Recruiting Battle With Kirby Smart's Georgia Bulldogs for Standout Defender

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated May 30, 2025 8:31 AM ET

The Michigan Wolverines are expected to return one of the best defensive backfields in the nation for 2025-26, with 2023 Ohio State game hero expected to reprise his role at safety and upcoming stars like Zeke Berry and Jordan Young carrying the torch forward.

Coach Sherrone Moore, defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan and others are in hot pursuit of Class of 2026 and Class of 2027 prospects at numerous positions with seven pledges in the 2026 class and many spots in need of filling.

Recently, the college football world got word of the Wolverines' decision to offer a self-described lockdown defensive back who is currently listed as a strong Georgia Bulldogs lean.

"I am extremely blessed and humbled to say that I have received an offer from The University of Michigan," Class of 2027 defensive back Censere Gaylord wrote on his X account on May 28, tagging Morgan and several other accounts in the process of his post.

Gaylord also holds offers from Georgia, Florida, Colorado State, Oregon and Colorado.

He describes himself as a "Lockdown DB' on his X account, and is listed at 6 feet tall, weighing 170 pounds.

Gaylord posted a picture of himself in Wolverines uniform with a Wolverines mascot running down the field holding a Block M flag that one fan said was generated by artificial intelligence, considering the helmet was not correct and Michigan does not currently have a mascot.

I am extremely blessed and humbled to say that I have received an offer from The University of Michigan @CoachLMorgan @UMichFootball @LacedfactDreams @CraigHaubert @DemetricDWarren @adamgorney @Zack_poff_MP @GregBiggins @BrandonHuffman @ChadSimmons_ @TheUCReport @CoachKiddIMG pic.twitter.com/8jKLLBO3cK
— Censere Gaylord (@GaylordCensere) May 28, 2025