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Michigan Wolverines hoping to beat out Ohio State, Oregon, and SEC powers for an elite defensive line recruit as commitment nears

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Travis May | Last updated Jul 27, 2025 10:04 PM ET

Head coach Sherrone Moore and his phenomenal recruiting staff continue to stack their list of potential blue chip upcoming commitments.

They're locked in as a finalist for an elite two-way top 100 recruit in mid August. Then comes the five star running back news a few days later.

Now they're pushing to land their next elite defensive lineman as the month of August kicks off too. Can they pull off the upset, beating Ohio State, Oregon, and a couple SEC powers out for a crucial recruiting win?

Deuce Geralds, Four Star DL announcing commitment August 2nd

Deuce Geralds, a high four star recruit from Georgia, is an absolute freak of nature athlete. He's 6'3", 275 pounds and plays both defensive line and running back. And Geralds isn't just some gimmick at running back either. He's apparently been clocked just shy of 20 miles per hour in full pads as he's finishing runs, crushing opposing defenses.

Michigan (and all the other schools in on him) won't likely use his services at running back, but his burst, hands work, agility, and fluidity certainly translate to dominance on both sides of the ball.

Geralds announced this weekend that he'll be committing on August 2nd, choosing from five finalist schools: Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, LSU, and Ole Miss. Where will he actually land?

Come support and show out everyone is welcome. School supplies are also being given out at 11:30 @SwickONE8 @CoachBeck56 @CollinsHillFB pic.twitter.com/0NITS3075Q
— Daverin “Deuce” Geralds II (@DeuceGeralds) July 27, 2025

A to Z Sports sources and other industry experts seem to believe that Geralds has been leaning towards Oregon for much of this summer, but this is far from officially over with just days remaining in his recruitment.

LSU, Ole Miss, and Ohio State have been laying the ground work with Geralds for quite some time, visiting with him more than any of the other 50 programs that have offered this unreal athlete. However, it's interesting that sources like Oregon so much here late in the process.

Both Oregon and Michigan had very little in-person contact with Geralds until just this spring, yet both managed to earn an official visit in June. Both programs have sent four defensive line prospects (not including edge rushers) on to be selected in the last three NFL Drafts. Both have current players set to be selected early in upcoming NFL Drafts as well. Still, Oregon looks like the favorite.

If Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito can do some late leg work here, hammering home the Wolverines' development of talents like Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Kris Jenkins, and Mazi Smith (all top 50 NFL Draft picks), there just might be a chance here.

There should also be plenty of available early starting opportunity to pitch to Geralds as well. Michigan just lost Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant on their interior defensive line. They'll likely send Rayshaun Benny, Damon Payne, Tre Williams, and couple more on to the league next year as well. There should be a huge need for young talent to step up in 2026.

Let's just hope that's enough for Michigan to surprisingly win here late in the process.

We'll be back with more Michigan Wolverines coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!

And if you want to see how freakish an athlete Deuce Geralds is all you need to do is watch some of his junior season highlights below.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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