Is an SEC school a threat to flip Michigan football’s top commit?

Two days after Michigan’s annual spring game on April 20, Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick 2025 four-star defensive lineman Nate Marshall became Sherrone Moore’s first commit as the Wolverines’ head coach.

The wait was long for Moore, who took over for Jim Harbaugh in January and had to overhaul his staff after a handful of assistants followed his predecessor to the NFL. But landing Marshall was a huge splash for the Wolverines, who were looking to build momentum on the recruiting trail coming off a 15-0 national title.

Marshall is Michigan’s top-ranked commit this cycle at No. 41 nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite, but is his verbal pledge as solid as it was when he announced his decision?

Other schools continue to push for Marshall’s services, and it appears Auburn has grabbed his attention. The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder took an official visit to Auburn last weekend, and the Tigers gave him a lot to contemplate. It was his third trip to the Southeastern Conference school in Alabama.

“I really liked the visit,” he told Auburn Live. “Every time I have come, it has felt like home. Now, I really have to make that choice between two schools that really are the last ones.

“It’s Auburn or Michigan. I would say it’s pretty close, especially after this visit.”

Marshall’s tone has changed in the past two months. He told On3 last month that he was “all Go Blue” and locked in with the Wolverines.

“Some schools have tried to text me every now and then, but I don’t answer,” he said then.

But the landscape of college football has changed in recent years, fueled by the prevalence of name, image, likeness. Decommitments have always been a part of recruiting but are more common in this new era.

The Wolverines have had 18 prospects decommit over the previous three cycles and are hoping they can avoid a similar situation with Marshall. Remember, verbal commitments can’t become official until the early signing period in December.

The Tigers haven’t had a winning season since 2020 but remain an intriguing option for Marshall.

“They say that I’m a ball player and could come and change the program,” he said. “They have the pieces to get the program changed around and make it better, and I’m one of them

“I like the culture of the team and how Coach (Hugh) Freeze handles the team and handles himself.”

Michigan currently has five commits in the 2025 class – all four-star prospects.

“Hopefully, the beginning of the season I will have made the decision between Michigan and Auburn,” Marshall said. “Right now, it’s Michigan, but Auburn could change my mind.”

(Highlights embedded with permission from Hudl)