Cornerback Joshua Dobson chose the South Carolina Gamecocks. But the door isn't fully shut, and Michigan Wolverines fans know it.

Right after committing to the Gamecocks on July 1, Dobson said something that immediately caught everyone's attention.

But recruiting analysts and Michigan insiders aren't letting it go. Maize n Brew analyst Sam Bernardi identified Dobson as one of three active flip targets Michigan should keep pursuing ahead of National Signing Day in December.

Bernardi's take on July 14 comes after Dobson's interview on July 2.

"Man, it feels great, but I think it's far from over," Dobson said to the reporter Jordan Kaye of The State Newspaper. "Obviously, until I sign that dotted line, schools are still going to try to reach out to me, but for now, I'm really, I'm a 1000% committed to the Gamecocks."

That last line tells you everything. He said, "for now." Michigan and everyone else heard it.

Dobson is ranked the No. 3 cornerback and No. 13 overall prospect in the 2027 class, per Rivals. ESPN has him even higher at No. 2 cornerback and No. 7 overall in the class.

Michigan made a serious run at him. He came to Ann Arbor for an official visit on June 12, replacing LSU on his visit list just to give the Wolverines a shot. South Carolina ultimately won out with an NIL package reported to be as high as $1.5 million.

"Dobson would also be a luxury — an expensive one — for Michigan based on how this 2027 secondary is shaping up with four-stars in cornerback," wrote the analyst.

The reason Michigan is still being urged to keep recruiting him comes down to need. The Wolverines are projected to lose Rod Moore, Zeke Berry, Jyaire Hill, and Smith Snowden from the secondary after this season.

A player of Dobson's caliber would change everything at cornerback for 2027.

Michigan already has four elite cornerback commits, but adding Joshua Dobson would be a statement

July 1 was not a total loss for Michigan either. The same day Dobson chose South Carolina, Monsanna Torbert committed to the Wolverines, per CBS Sports.

Torbert, Blake Jenkins, Darius Johnson, and Tavares Harrington give Michigan four cornerback pledges in the 2027 class. That's a legitimate haul at the position.

Dobson would make it five. And not just any five. Adding the No. 2 cornerback in the country to a group that already includes four elite defensive backs would be one of the best secondary recruiting classes Michigan has put together in years.

Recruitments don't end at commitment. December is a long way off. Michigan has every reason to keep the relationship alive.

Do you think Michigan can flip Joshua Dobson before National Signing Day? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Farheen Fathima

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar