Marquise Davis to Kentucky is gut punch for Michigan football

Originally posted on Blue By Ninety | By Chris Peterson | Last updated 5/1/24

When it comes to Michigan football recruiting, it seems like with every step forward, there is another step back, which is what the Wolverines experienced on Wednesday.

After the crystal ball predictions had Ohio four-star running back expected to commit to the Wolverines, he spurned Michigan football for Kentucky.

It’s another win for the Wildcats over Michigan, who have beaten out the Wolverines for a few commitments over the past few years. That will happen when you are ready and willing to use NIL as an enticement. Heck, it’s how the Wildcats got DJ Waller into the transfer portal.

BREAKING Cleveland Heights On300 RB Marquise Davis has committed to Kentucky: https://t.co/mgbZUQYn7j

— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) May 1, 2024

What Davis to Kentucky means for Michigan

Still, it’s a massive blow for Michigan football. The Wolverines had Davis on campus three times since the hire of Tony Alford from Ohio State. Davis was clearly a top target and Michigan seemed to make a ton of progress.

But, as with many recruits over the past few cycles, especially higher-ranked ones, the Wolverines get eliminated at the end because they won’t pay for play.

I have no idea if that happened here but it makes sense. There was some buzz about Kentucky, but that’s because they are willing to play the NIL game. Otherwise, why else would an elite back choose a middle-tier SEC school?

The Wolverines now have to reset their board. Bo Jackson is out there but I don’t have much optimism there. One lost recruitment isn’t the end of the world but it’s another reminder that this program is still restricted in ways others aren’t and the impact on recruiting is obvious — in football and basketball.

This article first appeared on Blue By Ninety and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: