What Jacob Washington, Chase Taylor’s commitments mean for Michigan football

Michigan’s football program is scorching hot on the recruiting trail.

After landing two commitments from the same school Sunday in Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star running back Donovan Johnson and three-star offensive lineman Kaden Strayhorn, the Wolverines added two more prospects to their 2025 class on Monday.

Marrero (La.) Archbishop Shaw four-star receiver Jacob Washington was the first to announce his decision before Stockbridge (Ga.) three-star linebacker Chase Taylor followed suit earlier in the evening.

Here’s what their commitments mean for Michigan:

– Both players fill positions of need. The Wolverines hadn’t landed a prospect at either position before Monday. Michigan’s current roster is lacking height and length on the outside, but Washington checks that box, standing 6-foot-3. He plays in a run-heavy offense at Shaw but will bring size and speed to the Wolverines’ receiver room. He is ranked as the No. 320 overall prospect and No. 45 receiver nationally, per the 247Sports Composite.

– Taylor is the first recruiting win for new linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary. He becomes the lowest-ranked commit in Michigan’s 12-member class at No. 583 overall but possess intriguing size at 6-foot-3, 201 pounds. With his length, he has the versatility to play a variety of positions in Michigan’s defense.

– Relationships are vital in recruiting, and that was especially true with Washington. His high school coach, Hank Tierney, coached Michigan receivers coach Ron Bellamy 25 years ago, and the two remain close. Bellamy played a leading role in landing Shaw three-star running back Jasper Parker earlier this month and then Washington on Monday. Tierney told MLive last week that Washington could follow Parker’s commitment if Michigan made a strong push to land him, and the Wolverines did so on his official visit last weekend. After Shaw lost its first two games in 2023, Parker and Washington helped it rattle off 10 straight wins before falling in a state semifinal.

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– Michigan began the week with a 2025 class that ranked outside the top 30 nationally but have skyrocketed up to No. 15 with four new additions. With Sherrone Moore’s staff in place, the Wolverines are starting to make serious inroads on the recruiting trail and have had one of the best months in recent memory. They’ve landed eight commits in June, and that includes their first in the 2026 class with four-star quarterback Brady Hart — a top-100 prospect.

– More good news could potentially be on the way, too. Michigan is a finalist for four-star offensive lineman Hardy Watts, who will announce his decision July 1, and four-star defensive lineman Maxwell Roy, who also is slated to make a commitment in the next couple weeks. Both took official visits to Ann Arbor during Victors Weekend June 21-22.