Sherrone Moore isn’t having a great time in his crucial second year at Ann Arbor. The Michigan HC is on the verge of serving his second suspension from the NCAA for sign-stealing allegations. This time, Moore was charged with his significant role in Connor Stalions’ advanced scouting scheme back in 2023. Those who have watched the Wolves carving out their path in the college football championship battle and lifted a trophy defeating the Huskies with a dominant crossfire. It’s hard to believe that the glory came at a cost, reportedly, cheating. However, Moore isn’t pausing his recruitment mastermind even for a moment as the 2o26 cycle is under watch. Not just that, they seem to snag a big win over Notre Dame as five-star offensive lineman Darius Gray takes a call.
St. Christopher’s School standout Darius Gray has been a lucrative target for Marcus Freeman and the Irish. But now, the ball seems to be in Moore’s court. The 5 ft 7 boasts an impressive high school stat with 96 total yards. As he is inching toward taking the next step in his career, it’s not a surprise that a handful of schools besides Notre Dame and Michigan extended him an offer. On December 24, he cut down the list to the top 12. The list of his suitors includes Ohio State, Penn State, Clemson, Tennessee, Auburn, LSU, South Carolina, and more. He has scheduled summer official visits with each of these schools. But Michigan? Well, they had their impression deeply embedded on his skin earlier than all.
Gray took a visit to Ann Arbor this spring. The Virginia native seems to be in awe of what Moore and his team have in store for him. “Michigan was great. We had a great time, my family and I, and we enjoyed every bit of it. So, Coach Newsome and Coach Moore, you know, really showed us around and showed us what it’s like being in Ann Arbor, so it was fun,” Gray expressed his content over the recent visit during a conversation with insider EJ Holland.
Coach Moore has a seasoned recruiter riddled with desperation and wisdom. After a lackluster 2023 in the QB front, the coach has crossed seas and mountains to swoop Bryce Underwood, the number one QB in his class, to his home. Underwood, the then LSU commit, was quite stubborn on his commitment to the Tigers. But Moore has all the tools to invade the loyalty. He gambled a whopping $10 million to flip his mind.
Notre Dame continues to be the frontrunner in Darius Gray’s recruitment
Marcus Freeman, on the other hand, is a big sleeper in the race. He might not have the NIL backup as heavy as Moore, but he knows how to woo the young heart looking for a perfect heaven for his collegiate kickoff. His genius move, a thorough, compassionate treatment of the targets paired with the university’s compelling pitch, makes Notre Dame irresistible to those who visit.
“The visit was great,” Gray told Irish Breakdown after his spring visit to South Bend. “I definitely loved everything about the school. Some of my favorite parts were the balance of academics and sports. Everyone was comfortable with one another, and the campus as a whole was so quiet. They were all focused on what they were at Notre Dame for, and that was getting a degree.”
The coaches have also made a long-lasting early impact on the Virginia native. His interactions with Freeman and Joe Rudolph had him on a utopic vision of the future. The sports, the facilities, the coaches’ capabilities, the history, and tradition all count for the final decision, but Notre Dame, in their own right, is beyond just the game and the academics. “You can tell that it’s way bigger than just football for everyone there. My opinion on Notre Dame is that they’re one of the best options for me and my family. I definitely see myself fitting in playing for Coach Freeman and Coach Rudolph.” Gray added right after his visit.
Now, it’s a clear battle between Freeman’s hospitality and Moore’s offensive line history. It remains to be seen who has the last smile.
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