The Utah connection for the current Michigan coaching staff has resulted in an embrace of the program by top recruits residing in the state. That includes 2027 edge rusher Jag Ioane out of Orem High.
“Michigan is definitely high on my list,” Ioane told Maize n Brew. “They’ve made a strong impression on me.”
Ioane, whose offer from the Wolverines came on his April 4 visit, received valuable face-to-face time with head coach Kyle Whittingham and his assistants inside Schembechler Hall.
“My visit went really well, as expected,” Ioane said. “I’ve built strong relationships with coach Whittingham, Powell and Hill already, so they’ve made me feel super comfortable in their new home and treated me like their own. Their program is really something special.”
Michigan now joins Utah, BYU, Boise State, Utah State and others in the race for the 6-foot-3, 190-pounder.
“It meant a lot to me,” Ioane said. “Michigan is a program with a strong tradition, so for them to see what I can bring to the table made it even more meaningful. It showed me that they really believe in my talent and value my skillset.”
Ioane had known defensive ends coach Lewis Powell well before the visit as the latter spent over a decade with the Utes, so their reunion in Ann Arbor was picking thinks up where it had been already before in Ioane’s recruitment.
“My relationship with coach Powell is strong,” Ioane said. “He’s someone I feel comfortable talking to, and he’s been real with me from the start. As a coach, I think he’s very detailed and cares about developing his players both on and off the field.
“I was very impressed by the level of talent and depth Michigan has with their edge rushers. I loved the competitive nature and I definitely feel like I can make an impact there.”
The same goes for Ioane’s connection and admiration for Whittingham.
“I have a lot of respect for coach Whittingham and the way he leads his team,” Ioane said. “He has been coaching for a long time so you can tell he knows the game and has a lot of knowledge. That’s something I value a lot.”
Ioane said that scheduling an official visit to Michigan is in the works. Currently, he has trips set to Boise State in late May, followed by Washington, BYU and Utah.
“On my next visit, I want to spend more time around the coaches and players, continue building those relationships and see how I’d fit into their program/defensive scheme,” Ioane said.