There was a time in the recent past when it seemed like 2025 Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith four-star cornerback Jahmari DeLoatch was a lock to end up in Michigan’s football class. But right now, that potential is a little murky.
As official visits heat up for the Class of 2025, DeLoatch was idle this past weekend, but doesn’t have Ann Arbor among his future destinations at the moment. He plans to visit Virginia Tech next week, Cincinnati the week after that and then Vanderbilt. Those schools, and Wake Forest, are the ones currently recruiting him the hardest.
But with the defensive coaching changes, DeLoatch isn’t as clear on where he stands with Michigan and vice versa at the moment — though he’s hearing a lot from the recruiting department in the meantime.
WolverinesWire spoke with DeLoatch on Friday night and he divulged where he stands at the moment as it relates to corn and blue.
“Michigan, they’re still one of my top schools, but if I’m completely honest, they’re not as good as they used to be,” DeLoatch told WolverinesWire. “Since the coaching staff changed, the new coaches haven’t had as much contact with me as the old ones.”
Check out our list of Michigan football best predictions for 2025 here.
Right now, Michigan still has the edge over DeLoatch in terms of the 247Sports Crystal Ball, where all three predictions show him becoming a Wolverine.
Although communication has slowed down between the Maize and Blue and the nation’s No. 28 cornerback (per 247Sports), he expects Michigan to step up its pursuit of him in the near future — especially considering he’s planning on making a July 2 commitment.
“Yes, I would definitely like that to happen, but I’m not stressed,” DeLoatch said. “Everything happens for a reason and this is getting very close to my commitment. I’m not – even after committing I won’t end my recruitment, of course. But the time is coming.”
DeLoatch likes what Michigan has to offer in terms of programs of study. Seeking to major in psychology, business (and/or) finance, he was also impressed by the times he visited the university, as well as the perennial excellence of the football program.
“Everything at school is cool. It’s a beautiful campus,” DeLoatch said. “Obviously a great football team with a great school program. I’m looking at degrees and what I want to go to college for and seeing how high they are with certain degrees, that helps me a lot. Overall, Michigan is a great school.
Additionally, DeLoatch finds the defensive scheme run by Michigan attractive. He paid special attention to Mike Sainristil last year and watched as he was highlighted. More comfortable playing nickel than limit, DeLoatch could find himself thriving in Wink Martindale’s defensive scheme.
And when it comes to the factors he looks for, the scheme is at or near the top.
He detailed what factors he’s looking for in his school of choice once he’s made that decision.
“The defensive scheme they like to run. The training, of course. Many people will say not to commit to a school because of coaching, but I feel like coaching plays an important role in school. And if I’m comfortable where I am. Outside of football – if my football career ended, I would feel comfortable living where I am.”
Michigan appears to check all the boxes for DeLoatch, but it has to be a mutual fit. We’ll see if the Wolverines keep up the chase or if he ends up going elsewhere on July 2nd.
