"He’s basically saying, ‘that’s the move'": Five-star Alabama OT commit Ty Haywood reveals Bryce Underwood's pitch to recruit him

Michigan scored a big win in the recruitment race last month by flipping five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood from LSU. The blue-chip signal-caller is already working to recruit more prospects for the Wolverines' 2025 class, with five-star Alabama offensive tackle commit Ty Haywood remaining one of his top targets.

In an interview with EJ Holland of On3 on Sunday, Haywood acknowledged Underwood's persistent pitch to bring him to Michigan:

"He’s trying to recruit me. He’s basically saying ‘that’s the move.’”

Despite being committed to the Crimson Tide, Haywood has yet to fully close the door on other programs. He has not taken an official visit to Ann Arbor, but an On3 report suggests that a trip could be in the works for January.

Michigan’s offensive line coach, Grant Newsome, and offensive coordinator, Sherrone Moore, have been actively pursuing Ty Haywood since extending an offer during a visit to Texas last winter.

“I want to make the right decision," Haywood told On3, indicating that he will not sign during the early period on Dec. 4.

Haywood is ranked as the No. 5 offensive tackle, the No. 7 recruit in Texas and the No. 22 prospect nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking.

Bryce Underwood's target Ty Haywood speaks on Michigan's continuous effort to flip him

Michigan's 2025 class looks promising with the addition of Bryce Underwood. The cycle ranks No. 8 in the nation with 20 committed players, and Ty Haywood's potential flip would be another game-changing move.

"I have always had an interest in Michigan, so it's not like it came out of nowhere," Haywood told Chad Simmons of On3 on Saturday. "I would say yeah, they just backed out when I committed before coming back in. ... I would say it is a more mindful thought for me. It is just about the opportunity for me."

Michigan has been making the best use of NIL deals lately. With high-profile alumni like Tom Brady and influential donors such as Dave Portnoy boosting their efforts, Michigan has become a formidable player in the NIL space. This new approach played a crucial role in flipping Bryce Underwood, and it may yet work its magic on Haywood.