The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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52 THE WOLVERINE JUNE / JULY 2022 BY EJ HOLLAND O n3 released its updated 2023 foot- ball recruiting rankings in mid- May. Here is a look at where Michigan stands with targets in the top 15. 1. Arch Manning, QB, New Orleans (La.) Isidore Newman Michigan is all in on consensus five- star in-state quarterback Dante Moore, but the Wolverines have quietly been involved w i t h M a n n i n g . T h e nephew of NFL legends Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, Arch is a ter- rific prospect in his own right and is ranked as the No. 1 overall recruit in the country this cycle. Michigan offered him in the winter, and area recruiter Ron Bellamy will be making his way down to New Orleans to see him soon. A follow up visit from quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss is ex- pected. Michigan could be in the mix for a potential summer visit, but this one remains a long shot. Manning 's recruitment has a true Southern feel to it, with schools like Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss and Texas considered the favorites. 3. Keon Keeley, Edge, Tampa (Fla.) Berkley Mike Elston played a key role in help- ing Notre Dame land a c o m m i t m e n t f ro m Keeley last June. Since then, Keeley has con- tinued to make visits to other schools. Michigan also hap- pened to pull Elston away from South Bend to replace Shaun Nua as defensive line coach. Elston's preexisting rela- tionship with Keeley should help the Wolverines make a run for the five-star prospect. Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh swung by Berkley to see Keeley in the winter and is personally involved here. On top of that, Michigan landed Jaylen Harrell out of Berkley a couple of cycles ago, so there is a strong tie there. Right now, there doesn't seem to be a lot of buzz about a potential flip from the Irish, but Michigan is working to get Keeley to campus. If that happens, watch out. 4. Cormani McClain, CB, Lakeland (Fla.) Lake Gibson Michigan made the final group for McClain, who is ranked as the nation's top cor- nerback by On3, and is in the running to get an of- ficial visit this summer. U - M c o r n e r b a c k s coach Steve Clinkscale did a phenomenal job of getting the Wolverines back in this race after miss- ing the initial cut. However, there is still plenty of work to do. Florida is shooting up as the fa- vorite in his recruitment, with Alabama right there as well. Overall, it seems Mc- Clain will more than likely stay in the Southeast. Michigan needs to knock it out of the park on an official visit to have a shot. McClain is looking to make a decision early in the summer. 6. Nyckoles Harbor, Athlete, Washington (D.C.) Archbishop Carroll Harbor is the biggest freak on this list and has a legitimate argument as the top overall prospect in the country. He is a cre- ate-a-player at 6-foot- 5, 235 pounds with an absurd 10.28 time in the 100-meter dash. Harbor can literally play any position he wants — from run- ning back to wide receiver to tight end or from edge to linebacker to safety. This guy has insane athletic traits and ability. Out of all the prospects on this list so far, Michigan has the best shot with Harbor. The Wolverines hosted him for a visit last fall and are getting him back on campus for an official visit. He has a ton of family in Michigan, has ties to the program through his athletics director and track coach and loves the academics (Harbor wants to be a neurosurgeon). Maryland is working overtime to keep him at home, while schools like LSU, Georgia, Penn State and USC are heav- ily involved. But as things stand now, I would give Michigan the slight edge. 7. Charles Jagusah, OL, Rock Island (Ill.) Alleman This recruitment is considered a Michigan-Notre Dame battle. However, I would give Notre Dame the edge at this time. I went out and spent some time with Jagusah earlier this year and left feeling like he was a Notre Dame kid all the way. He recently visited both programs, and it still feels like the Irish have the lead here. Michigan offensive line coach Sherrone Moore is working hard on Jag- usah and saw him on the recruiting trail in mid-May, but Notre Dame is going to be tough to beat. He's a fit for the Irish on and off the field. 10. David Hicks, DL, Katy (Texas) Paetow Hicks has been talked about a lot in relation to Michigan. The five-star prospect did make a visit to Michigan last summer and has a preexisting re- lationship with Elston. In fact, Hicks was very high on Notre Dame before Elston's move to Ann Arbor. The coach has Michigan back in the mix here, but Hicks still remains a bit of a long shot. Texas A&M is considered the favorite, and regional schools like Oklahoma and Texas also are heavily involved. I would bet on him staying in the South come signing day. 15. Shelton Sampson, WR, Baton Rouge (La.) Catholic As you should know by now, Michigan MICHIGAN RECRUITING Where Michigan Stands With Some Of The Nation's Best Players