Elite DL reveals commitment timeline, has Michigan Football near the top

Elite DL sets decision timeline

Marcus Fakatou has quickly become one of Michigan’s top priorities in the 2027 class. The 6-foot-7, 295-pounder from California was offered by the old coaching staff, but edge coach Lewis Powell and company have stepped in and reassured him that he is needed in Ann Arbor.

Fakatou was supposed to visit Michigan this past weekend for the spring game, but opted to take a trip to Texas instead. However, he will be back on Michigan’s campus for his official visit on June 15, which will be his final visit before he goes into decision mode. Speaking recently with On3’s Ethan McDowell ($), he explained how Michigan getting his final visit was intentional.

“It’s them and Oregon,” Fakatou said. “Oregon was second to last. I wanted to set the school that I really am considering last so they could get the last say on how they how and why they need me over there.”

That’s pretty telling as far as where Michigan stands in his recruitment. However, that doesn’t mean the Wolverines can coast to the finish line here. In fact, while Powell and defensive tackles coach Larry Black have done a great job recruiting him, Fakatou wants another coach to be more prevalent in his recruitment as well.

“(Oregon head coach Dan Lanning) was sitting with me in meetings over there in Oregon,” Fakatou said. “When I had D-line meetings, he was sitting next to me saying, ‘Hey, do this better, or this and that.’ So I feel like with Michigan, I just kind of need to grow a better relationship with (Whittingham) for sure.”

In addition to Michigan and Oregon, Fakatou has official visits scheduled for Ohio State and Georgia. A commitment should come shortly after he takes all those trips.

“My decision is probably going to come the first week of August,” Fakatou said.

Top CB target locks in commitment date

Announced late last week, 2027 four-star cornerback Juju Johnson is set to make his commitment on June 27. The 5-foot-10, 160-pounder from Long Beach, California will be picking between Michigan, Miami, Oklahoma, Cal and UCLA.

“I was looking for a school that I had great relationships with the staff, the chance to compete for playing time early and also where I was comfortable living for three or four years. I want to be happy away from football too and these were the schools that best fit me,” he told Rivals’ Greg Biggins ($).

As it pertains to Michigan, there is a lot for Johnson to be excited about.

“I was just at Michigan (two weeks ago) and liked it a lot,” Johnson said. “I know that staff really well already from when they were at Utah and have a good relationship with Jernaro Gilford, the DB coach from when he was at BYU. That was my first time visiting Michigan and I really liked everything about it. It’s a school with great tradition and facilities, passionate fan base with a great staff known for playing great defense. I’ve always had interest in Michigan, they actually made my top five last November when I first made my cut. Now the new staff is in and I’m really excited about what they’re building.”

Johnson — who unfortunately missed all of his junior year last fall due to injury — plans on making official visits to all five of his finalists. He doesn’t have one locked in with Michigan or Cal just yet, but he does with Miami (May 29), Oklahoma (June 12) and UCLA (June 19).