Charles Woodson Jr. committed to the Michigan Wolverines in May and came back for his official visit during Victors Weekend this past week. He left with a message for every defensive back in the country still making their decision.

On3's Ethan McDowell reported Woodson Jr.'s message to any defensive back considering the Wolverines after the visit.

"We're building something special," Woodson Jr. sent a four-word message about the secondary as reported by McDowell. "Especially with Coach [Jay] Hill's defense, we could do great things."

Jay Hill is one of the most respected defensive coordinators in college football right now. Back in the BYU Cougars, he led the defense that ranked No.13 in total defense in 2024. They were No.5 in red zone defense in 2025.

Hill's defense now has Woodson Jr., a three-star safety out of Lake Nona High School in Orlando, Florida. In his junior season, he posted 73 tackles, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. He chose Michigan over Florida State Seminoles, Oregon Ducks, Texas A&M Aggies, and Kentucky Wildcats, among others.

Along with Woodson Jr., his father is also convinced about Michigan. Even though the Pro Football Hall of Famer played for the Wolverines, he ensured to travel to Ann Arbor alongside his son for Victors Weekend and watched Kyle Whittingham's staff up close.

"I think the coaching staff have been great," he told 247Sports. "Coming in, it was going to be important that Coach was going to have to get guys to stay. He was going to have to flip some guys, and he was going to do well in recruiting. And I think as you look at what's happened, he's done great in all of those areas."

That endorsement from a Hall of Famer and the first defensive player to win the Heisman. So, it carries real weight on the recruiting trail.

Michigan's 2027 class now sits at 18 commitments, per On3. While Woodson Jr. is one of the commitments, it was a surprise for his father.

Charles Woodson Sr. was not even sure his son would choose Michigan

Woodson Sr. opened up about the moment it happened in an interview as reported by the Detroit Free Press.

"I was 90% sure he was going somewhere else," Woodson said in that interview. "It just so happened that one day he came downstairs and he was like, 'I'm going to Michigan.' And I was like, 'Okay! Let me know when you're going to commit.'"

He also laughed about almost missing the actual moment.

"It was funny because when I thought he was going to commit, he didn't. And I'm like, 'Oh, s***. What's going on?' But he ended up committing, man. And so now I'm just excited."

After taking over in Ann Arbor during a hectic offseason, Whittingham and his staff quickly made Woodson Jr. a key target.

Do you think Charles Woodson Jr.'s assurance will be enough for the recruits to choose Michigan? Let us know in the comments.

Read more at Michigan Football Community.

Written by

Farheen Fathima

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar