Syracuse football wants to flip a Michigan commit in the 2027 class.
In recent days, the Orange offered a scholarship to 2027 three-star offensive lineman Louis Esposito IV, who was an All-State performer in the most recent campaign for his high school program in the state of Michigan.
Doling out the 'Cuse offer to Esposito was Juan Castillo, who is joining Syracuse football as its new offensive line coach, according to a report from earlier this month by ESPN senior writer Pete Thamel. Castillo, a 40-year coaching veteran at the college and NFL levels, most recently served as an offensive analyst at Big Ten Conference school Michigan.
After a great conversation with Coach Juan Castillo, I am blessed to receive an offer from Syracuse University!! pic.twitter.com/UoHp85RIcW
— Louis Esposito IV (3⭐️) (@louisjiv82) December 14, 2025
Last week, Michigan leaders fired the Wolverines' head coach in football, Sherrone Moore. The 6-foot-5, 283-pound Esposito verbally committed to Michigan this past July over other schools such as Purdue, Louisville and Pittsburgh.
BREAKING: Class of 2027 OT Louis Esposito IV has Committed to Michigan, he tells me for @rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 20, 2025
The 6’5 265 OT chose the Wolverines over Purdue, Louisville, & Pitt
He’s the son of Michigan DL Coach Lou Esposito
“I’ve been home. GO BLUE”https://t.co/kZjf484pgX pic.twitter.com/xVRtYpZuDP
Syracuse football coaches are in pursuit of a Michigan OL pledge.
Esposito is a standout junior at Saline High School in Saline, Mich., which went 10-2 overall in the 2025 season. This month, si.com named Esposito to its 2025 All-State second team on offense in Michigan.
Michigan High School Football 2025 All-State Offense 🏈@SFG_IKE @LORENZOBARBER0 @aEdmonds26 @TreBrittoniii @louisjiv82 @owen_winder00 @SamuelMcGrath88 @gregpatrick75 @Ernesto0064
— Michigan High School On SI (@SBLiveMI) December 15, 2025
🔗⬇https://t.co/33rLhTue5v
When I wrote this article on Tuesday, within the 2027 class, the industry-generated 247Sports Composite placed Esposito at No. 795 overall, No. 45 at interior offensive lineman and No. 12 in Michigan.
Over at the industry-generated Rivals Industry Ranking, he checks in at No. 658 nationally, No. 55 at interior offensive lineman and No. 12 in Michigan.
Regardless of the fact that Esposito is in the 2027 class, the offensive line is a position of need for the upcoming 2026 stanza and beyond at the 'Cuse. The team's OL mightily struggled in 2025, and several veterans have exhausted their college eligibility.
The Orange does have a couple of young offensive linemen on the current roster, along with various OL commits in the 2026 and 2027 cycles. Let's see if Syracuse football becomes a significant factor in Esposito's recruitment. Part of it depends on who the next permanent head coach of Michigan will be, and if Esposito remains committed to the Wolverines in their 2027 class.