3 things we love about Michigan's 2023 recruiting class
Valentine's Day is here. A day to show love and how much you care about your significant other and other people you care about.
I thought we'd have some fun with what today stands for and discuss Michigan football's 2023 recruiting class. It's a bit ironic as the 2023 class is probably the most divided regarding what the fanbase thinks about it. Some aren't big fans of where the class finished in the recruiting rankings, others appreciated the strong finish to the class.
Either way, here are three things we love about the class on this Valentine's Day.
1. We love Michigan's increased presence in the state of Ohio
Given the Wolverines' recent dominance over Ohio State, it only makes sense that the program works the state of Ohio hoping to intercept some of the Buckeyes' fertile recruiting ground.
With Steve Clinkscale a mainstay in the state, the 2023 recruiting class saw an increased emphasis on the state late in the cycle which paid major dividends in the 2023 class. Those dividends are being reinvested in the state with the Wolverines seeing success in the 2024 class, too.
The jewel from the state of Ohio is four-star defensive back Cameron Calhoun, currently enrolled in the program. His potential to make an early impact with the program is high and it would not come as a surprise to see him play early.
The Wolverines also secure high-upside players such as DJ Waller, Jason Hewlett and Breeon Ishmail. The three players will be entering the program in the summer who seem like excellent scheme fit with a little bit of time learning the college game.
2. We love how Michigan finished the class, checking off boxes of need
As the Wolverines have proven, it is a notoriously strong finisher in securing commitments toward signing day. The 2022 recruiting class had an excellent finish and the 2023 class finished strong, too.
Names like four-stars Jyaire Hill, Roderick Pierce and Karmello English all fill needs for the program with all three likely seeing the field sooner rather than later. Not to mention the Wolverines finishing the late signing period by flipping Cameron Brandt from Stanford to round out the class.
Sometimes it's not how you start but how you finish, that is certainly the case with U-M. The Wolverines missed out on its fair share of prospects in the summer but saw a mighty climb in the recruiting rankings once it found some momentum.
Considering how the program rounded out its 2023 class, there's much to love there.
3. We love how the class was supplemented with the transfer portal
As transfer additions are announced with the recruits these days, the Wolverines counted some recruiting losses with a strong transfer portal class. While there's always a possibility that more transfers could be added, we love the approach it had with the portal and the Wolverines got even better in the process.
The Wolverines addressed some needs on the offensive line, addressed a gap in linebacker depth as well as added experienced tight end depth to a young, but talented room next season.
If the Wolverines' transfer portal success continues on the field as it has in recent seasons, there's no telling what this transfer portal class will be able to do for the Wolverines on the field.
In this day and age in college football, supplementing your recruiting class with transfers is the way to go and we love the approach the Wolverines took in this cycle.
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