Michigan football fans got some tough news. One of the top targets in the 2027 recruiting class, five-star cornerback Josh Dobson, just committed to South Carolina over the Wolverines and Texas A&M.
Dobson is a highly coveted prospect from Cornelius, North Carolina. He picked the Gamecocks, apparently swayed by a big NIL deal.
Michigan tried hard—Dobson visited Ann Arbor more than once. Still, the Wolverines couldn’t close the deal.
Michigan’s secondary isn’t in bad shape, though. They’ve already got several promising recruits locked in.
Josh Dobson’s Recruitment Journey
Dobson stands at 6-foot-1 and weighs in at 185 pounds. He’s ranked No. 12 overall in the 2027 class on the Rivals Industry Rankings, which is no small feat.
Michigan put in plenty of work to land him. There were multiple visits and a lot of effort from the new coaching staff.
Michigan’s Recruitment Efforts
Dobson made several trips to Ann Arbor, including an official visit the weekend of June 12. That visit even bumped LSU off his list, so Michigan was right in the mix.
The Wolverines tried to show Dobson why he should pick Michigan. In the end, though, it just wasn’t enough.
The Influence of NIL Deals
South Carolina’s NIL offer played a huge role in Dobson’s decision. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, sources say the Gamecocks were ready to go as high as $1.5 million to get him.
An SEC front office staffer mentioned that South Carolina has been pretty aggressive with NIL deals. Their offer reportedly topped everyone else’s, and that seemed to seal the deal for Dobson.
South Carolina’s Aggressive NIL Strategy
It’s clear South Carolina is serious about using NIL money to land big names. They’re not shy about putting cash on the table for prospects like Dobson.
This approach worked out for them—they landed one of the top defensive backs in the 2027 class.
Michigan’s Secondary Remains Strong
Losing a five-star recruit like Dobson stings, no question. But Michigan’s secondary still looks solid for the 2027 cycle.
The Wolverines have five defensive backs already committed. That’s a pretty deep group for the defensive staff to work with.
Key Defensive Back Commitments
- Monsanna Torbert – Four-star cornerback
- Blake Jenkins – Four-star cornerback
- Darius Johnson – Four-star cornerback
- Tavares Harrington – Four-star nickel/safety
- Charles Woodson Jr. – Three-star safety
These commitments should keep Michigan’s secondary in good shape. The coaching staff will work on developing these guys and finding their roles in the defense.
Looking Ahead: Closing Out the Recruiting Cycle
With Dobson’s decision final, Michigan’s staff—now led by Kyle Whittingham—has to focus on wrapping up the recruiting cycle. There are still a few targets out there.
The Wolverines will keep pushing for more commitments as the early signing period approaches.
Continued Recruitment Efforts
Even though Dobson’s picked South Carolina, don’t count Michigan out just yet. They have a reputation for sticking with recruits until the ink dries in December.
Maybe it’s a long shot, but you never know—recruiting can get weird late in the game.
Conclusion
Josh Dobson leaving for South Carolina stings a bit for Michigan football. Still, the roster isn’t exactly thin—there are already some impressive defensive backs lined up.
NIL deals have really changed the recruiting game, and Dobson’s move is a pretty clear example of that. Michigan’s got its eyes on closing out the 2027 recruiting class strong.
They’re still chasing more top-tier talent, hoping to keep the team tough for years to come.
Want to dig into all the details on Dobson’s recruitment and Michigan’s plans? Check out the full story on Maize n Brew.
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