More progress on LB recruiting for the Wolverines

Chris Partridge has had a positive impact on Michigan football recruiting since his return, and here’s more positive news from the linebackers.

Like every offseason, Michigan football sees some movement in terms of assistant coaches, and so far it looks like both moves have been wins.

Kirk Campbell is killing it with the quarterbacks after sacking Matt Weiss. He’s improved Michigan’s position with 2025 No. 1 QB Bryce Underwood, and the Wolverines are now trending toward the commitment of 2024 five-star QB Jadyn Davis.

The Wolverines have also done well when it comes to linebacker recruiting in the 2024 class under new linebackers coach Chris Partridge, who took over for the departed Chris Helow.

Partridge was always a damn good recruiter. Michigan football fans will remember some of his wins during his previous stint with the Wolverines, and so far he’s made a positive impact on linebacker recruiting.

More good signs with linebacker recruitment

Aaron Chiles has been at the forefront of Michigan football, and he was even before Partridge took over. The position of the Wolverines after the coaching change was concerning because Helow was the primary recruiter, but Partridge has done a great job.

He was able to connect with Chile and his family. He visited Michigan football this spring and the Wolverines will take one of four official visits he has lined up for June.

In fact, Michigan football will be getting its last official visit, which seems like a good sign. The On3 Prediction Machine and 247 Sports Crystal Balls also heavily favor the Wolverines.

Another linebacker Partridge is moving forward with is a 2024 four-star prospect Qua Birdsong, who is 6-foot-2, 195 pounds from Georgia. He was also ranked No. 174 in 2024 by the 247Sports composite rankings, and after receiving an offer from Michigan football this month, the Wolverines entered the top five.

Miami, Arkansas, UCF and Cincinnati are the other teams in the top five. It feels like a winnable recruiting for the Wolverines, and a lot of that is thanks to Partridge. According to On3.com, Arkansas is the only top-five program still visiting.

Cincinnati is expected to take an official visit in June, and that’s the next step for Michigan football — getting a four-star linebacker on campus. However, Georgia Tech is the leader according to the On3 prediction engine and the Yellow Jackets didn’t finish in the top five, so it feels wide open and with Partridge progressing, it’s a recruiting battle that UM can definitely win.