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Michigan and Sherrone Moore are facing tough luck this off-season. The horrors from the sign-stealing scandal spearheaded by Connor Stallions, now have imposed a two-game ban on Sherrone Moore this season. Jim Harbaugh has also undergone the mess in 2023, but he walked out with wins. But make no mistake! There is a thin line between Harbaugh and Moore’s positions. Back then, Harbaugh was allowed to lead the games, talk about it, and guide the team throughout just barring the day. But for Moore, he won’t get the pass to do any of that. It can deal a blow to the team’s confidence during the Nebraska and Central Michigan games. Although the choice of the timing is pretty soft, Michigan seems to be in a blue funk. The recruiting spree is also at odds.
Anthony Jones, the five-star edge rusher, has been on their radar lately. They got to earn an unofficial visit from the Michigan State transfer this spring. It was initially not on their checklist. But somehow, they rose to his good books and now, Moore and his staff want more. Recently, Jones cut short his list to nine teams. The list includes Arizona State, California, Georgia, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, UCLA, Washington, and, of course, Michigan. An elite defensive back with the ability to play inside or outside, top-tier athleticism can boost the Wolverines’ 2026 cycle for sure. But the question: Will Moore go right in his direction?
“Now Michigan is trying to get him back for an official visit. [Anthony] Jones told me he’s in the process of planning things out. He will be releasing his official visit schedule for the summer soon… At this point, I’m not sure Michigan gets a summer official visit,” insider EJ Holand gave a realistic picture of the situation, “But I think they will hang around in this recruitment and potentially get him in for an OV in the fall.”
Jones suited up in all 12 games for the Spartans in 2024, where he racked up 25 total tackles (four for loss) and two sacks during the 2024 season. His two sacks would have been the highest of any returning player from Michigan State’s 2024 roster. That’s insane. That’s classic. But if Moore loses him on the road, it would be for his self-inflicting woes more than any outside influence. “Like I’ve said many times in the past, when you’re recruiting a five-star prospect, more than likely you’re going to need to talk NIL. Michigan won’t take a guaranteed numbers approach this off-season. Don’t think it works for guys like Anthony Jones.“
Moore got the dust settled last season in his QB room. He had paid the price for ignoring portal QBs for a seaman. So, taking Bryce Underwood was a must-win battle for him. A rigorous pursuit and a big $ 12 million check with the help of all the in-state boosters, Moore snagged the LSU transfer. But that’s foregone. Right now, they are taking a bearish policy on their NIL negotiations. “I said right now, I think Michigan probably doesn’t get a summer OV unless they change their tune. But they can hang around and get a follow-up OV, especially if they do switch up their strategy later in the cycle. Now,” Holland added to the underlying risk.
Anthony had a great time at Ann Arbor in his first visit over the spring. He developed a bond with Sherrone Moore and defensive line coach Lou Esposito. But at the end of the day, it’s money that can overturn a decision. “You know Michigan checks a lot of boxes for pass rushers, but it has to make sense in the business side. So, we’ll see how things progress as we head later into the cycle. Right now, I definitely think that Auburn probably has the edge with Anthony Jones. Oregon is another school that’s very, very high on the list, so we are gonna see how things shape out for the rest of the cycle with Anthony Jones,” the insider gave a huge edge to Hugh Freeze and Dan Lanning.
Pay for play is at its peak. If Auburn or Oregon has better money, Jones will be out in a jiffy. But Michigan, the owner of a whopping $12 million record over a QB, continues being sidelined in the NIL conversation.
Michigan misses out on the top 10 richest NIL collective list
Crain & Company recently dropped the top 10 richest NIL collectives. But guess what! They snubbed Michigan, purposefully or not. The 1870 Society & The Foundation that backs Ohio State sit at the helm. The reason is obviously Jeremiah Smith, who is relishing a yearly payout of $4 million at the moment.
But was Michigan’s $12 million on Bryce Underwood alone a joke? Well, it may not be about the money. Michigan reportedly avoids sharing its total NIL revenues, other details, and proceedings. That might be a reason for them lagging behind the list.
Former Michigan QB, David Cone, however, dismissed the legitimacy of the list, saying ”Well, that’s one thing I wanna talk about. Apparently, Michigan spent what, $12 million on just one quarterback, and they can’t crack into the top 10? That’s why I’m not buying any of this. I don’t believe any of this list. It’s all gonna reshuffle before the fall camp starts,” He also joked, ”Portnoy is probably going to get on the phone and say, ‘Look, we gotta pump these numbers up.”
It will be a thing to see if Barstool Sports owns up to this jolt and pulls out another benchmark NIL move to keep Anthony Jones in the building.
The post Sherrone Moore Could Suffer 5-Star Recruiting Blow as Major NIL Factor Gives SEC Powerhouse Edge Over Michigan appeared first on EssentiallySports.
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