Michigan football loses prized 2025 commit to Auburn

In the spring, Michigan football got a surprise commit from a defensive lineman that shocked the college football landscape, but it had been holding on for dear life since.

2025 Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick four-star Nate Marshall was the highest-rated pledge the Wolverines had in the class according to On3 and the fourth-highest according to 247Sports. Ranked No. 56 by the former and No. 80 by the latter, the 6-foot-4, 265-pound likely edge rusher was set to pair nicely with fellow Illinois-based four-star commit Jaylen Williams. However, Auburn kept looming.

Rumored to make a big NIL offer, the Tigers eventually got their wish, as Marshall flipped to Auburn on Friday.

Michigan was able to rebuff Auburn for some time, as Marshall reaffirmed his pledge over the summer. But the Tigers continued to press and Marshall was rumored to flip as of late on Thursday.

It’s unclear who Michigan will target next with Marshall having moved on to another school.

Michigan won the national championship last year and is looking to reload and remain among colleg football’s elite. Auburn went 6-7 last season in Hugh Freeze’s first at the helm.