Sherrone Moore’s Michigan 2027 recruiting class has been building steadily. Under Moore, Michigan’s been building for the future, landing top-100 QB Peter Bourque and going after big-time talent like WR Laron Baker Jr., who even called their offer a “dream.” Other than Underwood’s successor, Moore has also secured commits from offensive linemen, Tristan Dare and Louis Esposito. However, the recruiting landscape has intensified with stiff competition from big powerhouses. Recently, Michigan lost a key battle for a coveted 2027 wide receiver, Demare Dezeurn.

He named Michigan among his final five, but appeared to be leaning toward Oklahoma in the eyes of many recruiting analysts. And if that wasn’t enough of a punch to the gut, Michigan might be gearing up to lose another prized 2027 prospect: safety Karon Eugene. This talented four-star from Louisiana, currently a top-10 safety prospect nationally, is drawing serious heat from LSU. “Rivals’ @SWiltfong_and @samspiegs have logged expert predictions for LSU to land 2027 4-star safety Karon Eugene,” posted on Rivals X account. Karon Eugene’s recruitment story is straight-up electric.

Hailing from Catholic High in New Iberia, Louisiana, this 6-foot-2, 165-pound free safety has been turning heads since his sophomore season. He racked up an insane eight interceptions, including two pick-sixes, and made game-changing plays that have left coaches and fans buzzing. What makes Eugene even more captivating is his bloodline. His dad, Hiram Eugene, starred as an NFL cornerback with the Oakland Raiders. When it comes to schools chasing Eugene’s signature, it’s been a wild tug-of-war. LSU is leading the pack, wooing him with its powerhouse program and regional ties. Brian Kelly’s staff has locked in visits and made strong impressions on Eugene and his family.

Michigan’s Sherrone Moore and staff have also been in the mix hard. However, it’s not just LSU and Michigan—USC, Texas A&M, Arkansas State, and Houston have all dangled good-faith offers, making this one of the hottest safety races of the class. Even so, Eugene’s excitement toward LSU is on a different level. “LSU is big around here. They told me they’re interested in me. That’s very big. It’s LSU,” he said. “I’m going [on] Saturday with my parents. I’m just looking forward to being around everybody. I know (LSU defensive backs) Sage Ryan and Zy Alexander. Like the defensive players. I pay attention to the receiving corps, but I don’t really like offense.”

The cherry on top? He is a freak! Eugene’s been a big part of Catholic NI’s 11-8 record and perfect start in district play. Just this past Wednesday, the Panthers knocked off league rival Franklin, last year’s Division IV nonselect champ. And Eugene’s been putting on a show—throwing down dunks against Liberty, the defending Division I champ, and district rival Loreauville. Each one had the crowd on its feet. And his high school football coach couldn’t stop raving about him. “Karon is a freak athlete,” Matt Desormeaux said. “He changes directions so well. He’s explosive in the air with really good hands. If you look at the play (in the end zone vs. Dunham), he went one way, stuck his foot in the ground, then went the other way. That’s something most kids can’t physically do.”

For Sherrone Moore’s Wolverines, holding onto top-tier defensive talents like Eugene is critical, but the recruiting landscape is proving increasingly competitive with the SEC flexing its recruiting muscles.

Eugene’s visit to Baton Rouge during LSU’s Gators Faceoff

The LSU Tigers will face off against the Florida Gators in a critical Week 3 Southeastern Conference showdown at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. The game is scheduled for Saturday night with a kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET. Adding some extra intrigue to the atmosphere is four-star safety Karon Eugene. He has set his unofficial visit to Baton Rouge to coincide with this high-stakes clash. For Eugene, experiencing “Death Valley” on game day will be a major moment.

LSU is ranked No. 3 and undefeated at 2-0 after impressive wins over Clemson and Louisiana Tech. They are favored by seven points to extend their momentum. The Gators are coming off a shocking loss to USF that dropped them out of the AP Poll. They now enter the game with a 1-1 record and everything to play for to keep their season alive. He’s excited to see firsthand the intensity of LSU’s football environment.

“I heard the environment is crazy,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to that.” It’s a perfect recruiting opportunity for LSU to showcase the packed stadium, passionate fans, and how serious Tiger football is about winning championships. For Florida, this game is a must-win to turn their season around, and for LSU, it’s about making a statement in the SEC early on.