In the high-stakes world of college football recruiting, the battle for top talent often begins years before a player dons a college jersey. That's exactly the case with Cartae Ligon, a four-star running back from the class of 2028 who is already turning heads—and making waves—with his early interest in Michigan.

Hailing from Chillicothe, Ohio—just an hour south of Columbus—Ligon is no stranger to the intense rivalry between the Wolverines and the Buckeyes. Yet, after a spring visit to Ann Arbor in late March, the young standout made a bold statement: Michigan is now his top school.

"My visit to Michigan was good and the experience was amazing," Ligon told Maize n Brew. "They set the new standard for how visits should be."

The driving force behind Michigan's pursuit? Running backs coach Tony Alford, who brings deep-rooted connections from his years coaching at Ohio State. Alford's reputation for building strong relationships and developing talent has clearly resonated with Ligon.

"Me and coach Alford's relationship is very good and I think he is a very good coach," Ligon added. "I can definitely see myself playing for him."

During his visit, Ligon had the chance to observe Michigan's spring practice and was particularly impressed by one of the Wolverines' running backs—Jordan Marshall, another Ohio native who has made a name for himself in Ann Arbor.

"I loved practice and I think I would fit in perfectly," Ligon said. "All the RBs were pretty good, but Jordan Marshall stood out the most. He's electric and has crazy footwork. Definitely a RB I look up to."

Of course, Michigan isn't the only program vying for Ligon's commitment. Schools like Miami, Penn State, Oklahoma, Indiana, and West Virginia are also in the mix. Official visits won't begin until next year, but Ligon's spring trip to Ann Arbor has already given the Wolverines a significant edge.

With a potential return visit planned for the summer, Ligon is eager to dive deeper into what Michigan has to offer. "They are definitely my number one school after the visit," he said. "I want to see more in-depth of what I saw the first visit outside of spring practice and meet more of the staff."

For Michigan fans, this early momentum in the 2028 recruiting cycle is a promising sign—and a reminder that the Wolverines are building for the future, one talented running back at a time.