Never take for granted that you have elite talent in your own backyard. Just ask Michigan State football, which has five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, who chose LSU over attending a school 29 miles from his current high school.
Over the years, the Wolverines have overlooked some of Michigan’s top talent. Sure, some big names stayed home, like running back Donovan Edwards and cornerback Will Johnson, but all of those players had an Underwood, Dante Moore, or Spindler brother. .
However, the Maize and Blue did a great job recruiting 2025 Birmingham (Mich.) Groves offensive tackle Avery Gatch. He visited Ann Arbor many times during his recruitment. But Gatti is keen to give other big schools a chance, and Ohio State appears to be his main competition.
However, in the past 10 days, Gatch has received seven 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions showing him rejecting the Buckeyes for his hometown Wolverines.
Latest predictions from Tom Roy (April 24th), Spartan Tailgate’s Stephen Brooks and Bucknuts’ Bill Cleric (April 22nd), and TMI’s Sam Webb and Bryce Marich. (April 20th) and Allen Trew (April 15th).
The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Gatch is ranked as the No. 196 player in the nation and the second-best player in Michigan behind the aforementioned Underwood.
A scouting report via Allen Trieu of 247Sports compares him to former Michigan standout Ben Bredeson.
A high school offensive tackle who could be the next level swing guy. He is a tenacious and physical player who finishes plays at the whistle. He shows functional strength and pad level, plus a genuine willingness to get defenders off the ball, all of which make him a dominant run blocker. There are still technological advances in pass sets and pass pro. There, too, his physicality is evident in his punches. He was a left tackle in high school and may suit up as a right-side option or inside player at the high-major level. It has added great weight and strength and will continue to do so. Although he is a solid base-level athlete, he can continue to improve his pure explosive strength and lateral agility as well. A high-flying prospect who would add depth to a major school at multiple positions and become a reliable starting pitcher for multiple years at the Power Five level.
He also has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and USC.
