Michigan offers emerging eighth grade in-state ATH Deandre Bidden: ‘It was crazy’

The first 2028 in-state prospect to pick up a Michigan offer is athlete Deandre Bidden .

Soon to begin his high school career at powerhouse Harper Woods (Mich.) High, Bidden’s fast-rise to national prominence has featured not just the Wolverines entering the mix but five more Power 4 schools as well this offseason, such as Alabama, Auburn, Michigan State, and Mississippi State.

“It’s good, man, to be in the eighth grade and be the one that stands out,” Bidden told The Wolverine . “Just out here doing the best I can do.”

Bidden’s school is very familiar with the program just down I-94, with Harper Woods producing early enrollee defensive back Jacob Oden , whose father, Rod Oden , was a walk-on in the 90s and is currently the Pioneers’ head coach. One of Bidden’s teammates, 2027 athlete Dakota Guerrant , is Oden’s younger cousin and also has a Michigan offer.

Having players above him who went through what Bidden is experiencing hasn’t been taken for granted.

“It’s good,” Bidden said. “Leaders. They were leaders on the team. I was also trying be a leader as an underclassman. Lead, be the best.”

Bidden’s offers started rolling in this past month during the spring evaluation period when colleges appeared at Harper Woods to get an in-person evaluation of the eighth grader. Michigan also stopped by and entered the mix.

“It was crazy,” Bidden said. “I ran in the house happy because I didn’t know there was going to be that many offers. I was like, ‘Wow, this is unbelievable.’ It motivated me to keep working harder and to train the best I can.”

The formal interest from U-M transpired after Bidden made the trip to Ann Arbor during spring camp practice.

“I didn’t think it was going to be that close,” Bidden said. “It’s a little quick drive, not too far from where I stay. Ann Arbor is great, man. I haven’t seen The Big House yet, but I’m going to see it one day. The weight room is big. Very long, very big. They have an outdoor and indoor field. It’s pretty nice.”

Michigan is considering Bidden as a wide receiver at the next level. He’s familiar with one of the rostered playmakers, Semaj Morgan , because of their tie to Detroit-based Sound Mind Sound Body.

“They make the best out of their wideouts,” Bidden said. “They send them to the league, as you can see. Semaj Morgan is probably one of the best freshmen in college football right now, as we speak. One of the most underrated.”

Of course, residing locally means Bidden was confident in U-M capturing its first outright national championship last season.

“I knew Michigan was going to win the title the whole time,” Bidden said.

At 5-foot-11, 167 pounds, Bidden is not yet listed on the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four primary recruiting media services. He also holds notable offers from Indiana and Toledo.

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