The Wolverine

2022 Michigan Football Preview

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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154 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW FOOTBALL RECRUITING BY EJ HOLLAND M ichigan entered the summer with just seven commitments. The Wolverines are looking to close strong with several key targets prior to the start of the football sea- son and set off some fireworks during the early signing period in December — just like they did a year ago. Here is a look at the 10 most wanted 2023 recruits on U-M's board. QB Dante Moore Detroit Martin Luther King A five-star prospect, and the No. 8 player and No. 4 quarterback in the country according to the On3 Con- sensus, Moore was trending heavily to Notre Dame this offseason, but the Irish have lost momentum in recent months and recently landed 2024 signal-caller CJ Carr, who may reclassify to the 2023 class. Moore (6-2, 210) has always been interested in out-of-region programs like LSU, Oregon and Texas A&M. He made official visits to the former two schools and took an unofficial visit to A&M in June. The rising senior has talked about making a decision late in the summer, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him make it a little sooner. Moore has continuously made unofficial visits to Michigan (over 100 in total through the years), and while perception on the surface hasn't been great, there is growing optimism about U-M's chances. Jim Harbaugh and Michigan offered Moore as a seventh grader, and the school has been the constant in this recruitment. This could have a similar ending to Donovan Edwards' recruit- ment in the 2021 class. WR Jalen Brown Miami Gulliver Prep Michigan appeared to be a top contender with Miami early on in Brown's recruit- ment. However, his interest in SEC programs like LSU and Texas A&M has increased of late. Texas has also made a surge for Brown. While there wasn't much buzz about him and Michigan going into the summer, the Wolver- ines were able to lock in an official visit date. U-M wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy flew to Miami to see the five-star prospect (No. 18 player and No. 3 wide receiver nationally in the On3 Consensus) at his spring game and is in weekly contact. Brown has visited Michigan twice already and is excited to see Ann Arbor one last time. There is also a connection to Michigan legend Desmond Howard, who has served as a volun- teer assistant at Gulliver Prep. WR Johntay Cook II DeSoto (Texas) High Michigan is set to receive an official visit from Cook (5- 11, 171) this summer. How- ever, there is plenty of work to do with the No. 36 player and No. 6 wide receiver in the country, per On3. As things stood in mid-June, Cook is expected to stay closer to home. Both Texas and Texas A&M have hosted him for multiple visits and are in a heated Lone Star State battle. Ole Miss also is in play for Cook and hosted him for an official visit. He's intrigued by what Michigan has to offer, and he has a very close bond with Bellamy, but it's hard to envision him leaving the South. His trip to Michigan could change that. OL Charles Jagusah Rock Island (Ill.) Alleman Ranked as a five-star prospect (On3's No. 7 player overall) and the No. 1 of- fensive tackle in the country, Jagusah (6-6, 285) is the big fish on Michigan's offensive line board. The Wolverines are working hard to secure a premier tackle and are making a big push for the Illinois native. U-M hosted him for an official visit in June and made some headway, with offensive line coach Sherrone Moore leading the charge. Moore and Jagusah have built a strong con- nection during recent months, which is a big reason the Wolverines are high on his list. However, Michigan has to find a way to move ahead of rival Notre Dame. The Irish have been considered the favorites for most of the offseason and received his final sum- mer official visit. Arkansas and Missouri also remain contenders in this highly contested re- cruitment. Jagusah also is a top heavyweight wrestler, turning in an undefeated 41-0 state championship season on the mat as a junior. DL Jason Moore Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha The No. 46 overall player and the No. 5 de- fensive lineman in the On3 Consensus, Moore has been considered a Notre Dame lean for several months. However, his recruitment will come down to a string of official visits with Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State. Michi- gan is sandwiched in the middle of its two rivals, but the good news is that Moore's visit took place during mid- June and was a positive one. Moore has always been in- terested in Michigan, but pre- vious visit plans have never seemed to work out. The visit gave Moore (6-5, 260) a chance to really get a feel for the pro- gram, meet with the staff and vibe with the players. U-M defensive line coach Mike Elston has been recruiting Moore hard since his time at Notre Dame and is putting in a ton of work here. The door is open for Michigan to make a serious move up Moore's list this summer. DL John Walker Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola Michigan is making Walker (6-2, 320) its top priority at nose tackle this cycle and impressed him on his official visit early in June. The nation's No. 92 overall player and No. 10 defensive lineman in the On3 Consen- sus) has now been to Ann Arbor twice and has developed strong relationships with the entire Michigan staff. While Florida was considered the leader in his recruitment in mid-June, Walker has been adamant that he is very open to leaving the Southeast. Both Michigan and Ohio State will have fair chances to move past the home state Gators. Miami and Central Florida are other finalists in this recruitment. Florida will receive Walker's final official visit on Oct 15. He intends to make his decision a week later. EDGE Nyckoles Harbor Washington (D.C.) Archbishop Carroll Michigan has built up plenty of momentum in the race for Harbor, who is ar- guably the most impressive athlete in the country. Along with being a five-star edge prospect, Harbor is also one of the best sprinters in the country. At 6-5, 235 pounds, he ran a 10.28 time in the 100 meters this spring, which is tied for the 20th-fastest by a high school run- ner this year. Michigan has sold him on the opportunity to do both with success in Ann Arbor. The Wol- verines have also pitched Harbor on potentially playing on the offensive side of the ball to help preserve his body for track. Aside from sports, Harbor is a 4.0 student, Michigan's 10 Most Wanted Remaining Prospects For 2023

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