Priority Michigan Football legacy recruiting target: ‘They’re real dominant’

One of the top athletes in the state of Michigan has now visited Ann Arbor for both home games this season. This recruit has yielded an offer since the summer and also holds legacy ties to the program.

Marquis Ray, the two-way star for Saline (Mich.) High, is the son of Marcus Ray. His first fall campaign with the Ann Arbor suburban school after transferring from central Ohio has led to him providing an instant impact to the MHSAA Division I juggernaut.

"I feel like things have been great. We're in a good defensive scheme and offensive scheme," Ray told Maize n Brew. "We're just a great team, and I could see us going far. I think I've been doing great. I've been good at man-to-man coverage. I've been covering my zones, breaking on the ball, triggering when I see the run, and just trying to make as many plays as I can."

Other Power 4 teams like Kentucky, Illinois and Pitt are showing strong interest in Ray, as this fall will be his opportunity to closely evaluate best fits with those being considered. For the Wolverines, the wins over WMU and Oklahoma were his chance to dive deep on schemes.

"They're real dominant," Ray said. "They play with some swag and confidence and I see myself like that."

Since the new coaching staff, led by Kyle Whittingham, entered the fray, Ray has also spent these past several months relationship building. He was offered in June after taking part in a camp hosted at Schembechler Hall, where he got to work with cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford and safeties coach Tyler Stockton.

"I think they're great coaches, they develop great DBs," Ray said. "I've seen coach Gilford at Utah. He's brought some pretty good DBs over."

As conversations continue between both sides, Ray hopes to show the staff his ability to tackle, cover and play any position in the secondary. Essentially, wherever he's needed, he'll be ready.

"I'm looking for a good relationship," Ray said. "If the school would actually wants me and wants to keep recruiting me, instead of just being like, 'Hey, come to the game.' Maybe if you're not going to offer me, I really shouldn't go there because the clock is ticking."

Ray, listed as the No. 17 overall 2028 in-state recruit by 247Sports, said a decision could come by the winter or potentially earlier. Before it does transpire, he'll keep hearing from one of his Saline teammates in 2027 offensive lineman commit Louis Esposito about coming aboard.

"(He says), 'Come to Michigan, man,'" Ray said.