Michigan in-state targets debut in first Rivals 2028 rankings

Rivals released its first class of 2028 Top 100 Monday afternoon and, even though that cycle is just getting started, a few familiar names still stood out from the list. Two in-state prospects who already hold Michigan offers made the Top 30. 

Deandre Bidden headlines the rankings as the nation’s No. 12 overall prospect. The Harper Woods (Mich.) High receiver is now the No. 1 recruit in Michigan, meaning his school now has the top-ranked recruit in the state for both the 2027 and 2028 cycles. His teammate and wide receiver peer Dakota Guerrant is the No. 1 junior. 

Bidden checks in at 5-11, 167 pounds, and he’s one of the most explosive athletes in the country. He’s the No. 2 sophomore wide receiver nationally. Michigan recognized that potential early, extending an offer May 2024. Since then, USC, Miami, Penn State, Ohio State and many others have extended scholarships. 

Donald Tabron II, a quarterback out of Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech, is probably the most well-known 2028 recruit in the Midwest. He debuted in the rankings at No. 29. Tabron exploded onto the national recruiting scene as a freshman, leading his school to a state championship as he piled up an elite offer list. Michigan offered last summer before the signal-caller even started his prep career. 

He racked up 1,656 passing yards with a 65.2 completion percentage, averaging 16.4 yards per completion. On his way to the state title, the elite signal-caller threw 17 touchdowns against 7 interceptions. 

He is the fourth-ranked quarterback in the country and slots in at No. 2 in Michigan. The Wolverines hosted him twice this summer for a pair of camps, including the program’s passing academy. Tabron told The Wolverine that he will most likely visit Michigan multiple times this fall. 

Other notable rankings

*** Asher Ghioto, an edge rusher out of Jacksonville (Fla.) The Bolles School, visited Michigan this spring. He’s the No. 9 recruit in the country. 

*** Chicago (Ill.) Brother Rice edge rusher Kameron McGee checks in directly behind him at No. 10. Michigan has not offered, but The Wolverine saw him in person recently, and he certainly looks like a scholarship candidate at some point. 

*** Christopher Vargas, the No. 2 quarterback in the country out of Danvers (Mass.) St. John’s Prep, does not hold a Michigan offer, but he trains with the same coaches as class of 2027 Michigan commit Peter Bourque. He’s the No. 20 recruit overall in the class. 

*** Caleb Tucker is a massive 6-5, 355-pound defensive lineman from Chicago (Ill.) Mount Carmel who has earned the nickname “Bonecrusher.” Michigan has already offered the No. 31 recruit in the country, and he visited this summer. 

*** Elite Miami (Fla.) Northwestern quarterback Neimann Lawrence visited Michigan in June after picking up an offer, and he’s the No. 38 recruit in the class.