Welcome to the Recruiting Roundup, our twice-a-week series breaking down the latest developments on the recruiting trail for the Michigan Wolverines. We’ll keep you up to date on the top targets, the visits they take, the predictions that analysts make, and everything in between. Here’s what you need to know today…

Michigan trending for rising 2027 DL

Michigan could be closing in on another addition to its 2027 recruiting class. Two new Crystal Ball predictions were placed in favor of the Wolverines over the last few days for Amanaki Henoa, a 6-foot-4, 310-pounder from Layton (Utah) Christian Academy.

Henoa is a native of New Zealand and grew up playing rugby before moving to the United States. He spent last year in Oregon but wasn’t able to play, so his first high school football snaps didn’t come until this season. He has recorded 14 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack and three quarterback pressures through three games.

“He has shown that he has some legit upside, even with the inexperience,” a source with knowledge of the recruitment told 247Sports’ Blair Angulo ($).

Michigan offered Henoa in mid-July and he’s working on setting up a game-day visit to Ann Arbor this fall. Penn State, Texas Tech, Iowa State, Washington, Utah, BYU and Boise State are also showing “high” interest, but none of those programs have offered him as of yet.

Michigan already has two Utah prospects committed in four-star quarterback Kamden Lopati and three-star tight end Christian Hanshaw. It sounds like Henoa could be another name to watch from Utah in this cycle.

Michigan among schools recruiting Jayden Bell the hardest

Michigan is also pushing hard for one of the top prospects in its own backyard, as 2028 four-star Bloomfield Hills (Mich.) Brother Rice edge rusher Jayden Bell opened his junior season with six tackles and 3.5 sacks in a 30-20 victory over Dakota.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder has more than 40 offers, and Michigan has made him a priority in the 2028 class. Defensive tackles coach Larry Black and assistant defensive line coach David Denham have been heavily involved in this recruitment.

“They texted me today actually to have a good game and all that,” Bell told The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich ($). “Coach Black texts me and coach Denham, too. They are great guys and Coach Black actually offered me when he was up at Vanderbilt. When he came to Michigan, he offered me again, so he’s a great guy.”

Michigan’s message has been pretty simple to him thus far.

“They said they’re going to try to do whatever to keep me in the city, so I love it,” Bell said.

Bell plans to visit Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Texas A&M, USC and Texas this fall. Michigan will get him back as well, and Bell said he could make multiple trips after already visiting four or five times.

“They’re definitely top three of schools recruiting me the hardest,” Bell said. “They definitely are.”

Familiar relationships helping Michigan with top OL target

Michigan will also get one of the better offensive tackles in the 2028 class on campus later this month.

2028 four-star Orem (Utah) offensive lineman Mataio Fano is the No. 145 overall prospect and No. 16 offensive tackle in the Rivals Industry Ranking. Fano originally planned to visit Michigan on Sept. 12, but moved the trip to the Iowa game on Sept. 26 due to scheduling conflicts.

The Wolverines have plenty of familiarity working in their favor. Offensive line coach Jim Harding previously coached Fano’s older brother, Spencer, at Utah, so the younger Fano has known Harding and Michigan defensive line coach Lewis Powell for years.

“I’ve known coach Harding and coach Powell since I was young,” Fano told Rivals’ Greg Biggins ($). “I’ve kind of grown up with them so my comfort level there is really strong.”

Fano said his brother’s experience with Harding has also helped.

“Spencer loved coach Harding as a coach and has nothing but great things to say about him,” Fano said. “I really like his coaching style as well, so it’s not just what Spencer says; I see it for myself.”

Fano also has visits lined up to BYU, Alabama, Utah, Miami and Oklahoma, while USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington remain involved.

Quick hitters

• 2028 four-star running back Cartae Ligon is among the recruits expected on campus this weekend for the season opener against Western Michigan.

• 2029 running back William “Tre” Green III also announced he has several game-day visits lined up this fall as his recruitment continues to grow.

Source: Yahoo Sports