Trieu: Michigan football looks to keep cooking in recruiting at BBQ at the Big House

Michigan will host their annual BBQ at the Big House event on Sunday. This long-running recruiting cookout has been a popular stop for top recruits since its inception, and has typically led to commitments either by the end of the day or laid the foundation for commitments to Michigan down the road.
It has pioneered the way for many other cookout events at other schools.
This year's BBQ has no shortage of highly ranked and heavily recruited players.
▶ Zaquan Patterson, safety, Hollywood (Florida) Chaminade-Madonna Prep: Currently, Patterson is the lone uncommitted 2024 prospect who is scheduled to attend the BBQ. A national Top 100 prospect and top-five safety, the 6-foot, 185-pound Patterson also is considering Auburn, Florida State, Miami (Fla.), and Ohio State. He visited the Hurricanes, Seminoles and Buckeyes in June.
▶ Nathaniel Marshall, DL, Oak Park (Illinois) Fenwick: Marshall is one of the big risers in the newly updated 2025 rankings on 247Sports. He is an athletic prospect who also stands out on the basketball court. This will be his first visit to Michigan since receiving an offer in the spring. Alabama, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Iowa, Tennessee and more have offered.
▶ Talyn Taylor, WR, Geneva (Illinois): Taylor is a four-star playmaker who Michigan offered in the spring, but he has not made it to campus since then. He did camp with the Wolverines going into his sophomore year. He plays for BOOM, the same organization J.J. McCarthy played for and current commit I’Marion Stewart plays for, so there are connections here. He is also visiting Notre Dame this weekend. The Irish and Wolverines appear to be two of the teams in good position early on.
▶ Elijah Dotson, safety, U-D Jesuit: A top 10 in-state prospect, Dotson has spoken highly of Michigan and his relationship with defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale. The Wolverines lead on his 247Sports Crystal Ball. Dotson is a two-way player, but his nearly 6-foot-2 frame and ball skills are coveted by the Wolverines on defense.
▶ Xavier Newsom, edge, Detroit King: Michigan also could be considered the leader for Newsom, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound pass-rusher. He said he grew up watching Michigan and they are the primary school standing out to him right now, even though Pittsburgh, Purdue, Kentucky and more have offered. He has some interest as a tight end, but Michigan likes him on the edge.
▶ Jaylen Williams, DL, Palatine (Illinois): Williams is a 6-foot-6, 265-pound four-star who the Wolverines offered in April. This will be his first time visiting Michigan. Tennessee, Nebraska, Oregon, Texas A&M, Florida State, Auburn and others also have offered.
▶ Ryan Montgomery, QB, Findlay (Ohio): Montgomery, a four-star prospect, has been no stranger to Michigan over the course of his recruitment. The Wolverines offered him the summer going into his ninth-grade year. While his brother is at Ohio State, the Buckeyes already have taken a quarterback in 2025, leaving Montgomery open to explore other options. Michigan is one along with Kentucky, Michigan State, Florida, Georgia and more.
▶ Akili Smith Jr., QB, San Diego Lincoln: Smith is the son of former top-five NFL pick Akili Smith. Taller than his father at 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, Smith Jr. is a Top 100 prospect and the No. 6 quarterback in his class, per 247Sports. He lists Florida and Oregon as two other schools that have his attention, but the Wolverines are in that group of three, and it is thanks in large part to the efforts of quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell.
▶ Rowan Byrne, OT, New Rochelle (New York) Iona Prepatory School: Byrne is a 6-foot-6, 290-pound prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Texas A&M, Penn State and more. After receiving a Michigan offer in June, he quickly visited campus and spoke highly of the staff and facilities. He has been growing his relationship with offensive line coach Sherrone Moore and this next visit should help Michigan continue to further that relationship, which will be key as Byrne has an impressive list of opportunities.
▶ Justin Baker, RB, Buford (Georgia): A 5-foot-10, 195-pound back, Baker put Michigan in his top six along with Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina State, Ole Miss and Tennessee. He visited the Wolverines in June and speaks highly of running backs coach Mike Hart. 247Sports has Baker the No. 33 running back in the 2025 class.