Michigan flips in-state 4-star DB Elijah Dotson, teammate of 5-star QB Bryce Underwood

Elijah Dotson, a four-star defensive back from Belleville (Mich.) High School and a teammate of top quarterback prospect Bryce Underwood, has flipped his commitment from Pittsburgh to Michigan.

Dotson is the No. 2 prospect in Michigan and the No. 200 player in the 247Sports Composite in the Class of 2025. He’s a versatile athlete with a background in track who can play safety, cornerback or wide receiver at 6 feet 2 and 180 pounds. He committed to Pitt in May over Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State but visited Michigan earlier this month and was among the top targets for the Wolverines as the December signing period approaches.

Landing a commitment from Dotson helps offset the loss of Ivan Taylor, a four-star defensive back who flipped from Michigan to Alabama earlier this week. It also can’t hurt in Michigan’s pursuit of Underwood, the five-star quarterback who’s been committed to LSU since January.

Michigan has upped its pursuit of Underwood in recent weeks, resulting in a decommitment from four-star quarterback Carter Smith. Underwood hasn’t commented on rumored NIL offers but posted a graphic on social media indicating he planned to stick with LSU. Belleville’s season ended Friday with a loss to Detroit Catholic Central in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs.

Dotson gives Michigan 19 commitments in a 2025 recruiting class that sits at No. 12 in the composite rankings. Even with Taylor’s flip to Alabama, Michigan has commitments from a strong group of defensive backs that includes top-100 cornerback Shamari Earls, four-star safety/nickel Kainoa Winston and four-star cornerback Jayden Sanders. Safety could be the ultimate landing spot for Dotson, who has the size to play in the box and doesn’t shy away from contact.