The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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48 THE WOLVERINE JANUARY 2023 BY EJ HOLLAND AND ZACH LIBBY J im Harbaugh and the Wolverines wrapped up the Dec. 21 National Sign- ing Day with another strong class full of potential early contributors — 23 in all. Here is The Wolverine's list of signing day superlatives: BEST SIGNEE CB Jyaire Hill Kankakee (Ill.) High Listed as the No. 12 cornerback and No. 112 overall prospect nationally, Hill is the highest ranked recruit in Michi- gan's 2023 class. And it's really not hard to see why. At 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, Hill is a tall, rangy corner with elite speed (10.78 100-meter time). Hill played mostly safety at Kankakee but also moved around in the second- ary, starring at corner and nickel. His blend of size, athleticism and speed make him an ideal corner at Michigan. Hill will pair well with On3 Freshman All- American Will Johnson, who wins with his elite technique and imposing physicality. It wouldn't be surprising to see Hill get significant time as a true freshman. BIGGEST RECRUITING WIN DL Enow Etta Colleyville (Texas) Covenant Christian Academy No recruitment had more twists and turns than that of Etta. The No. 13 de- fensive lineman and No. 118 overall prospect nationally favored Michigan State early in the process and seemed to be leaning toward the rival Spartans. However, Michigan wowed him on his summer official visit and won him over. The Wolverines sold transformational over transactional. MSU made a big NIL push, and Etta, who is also a top student in the classroom with aspirations to ma- jor in engineering or computer science, fully bought into Michigan's approach. Schools like Miami, Oklahoma and TCU attempted to make late runs, but U-M de- fensive line coach Mike Elston and com- pany were able to keep him locked in. As a senior, Etta compiled 122 total stops, 34 tackles for loss, 20 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 2 touchdowns. BEST LINEMAN OL Evan Link Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga Link proved himself as an elite level tackle this fall with a masterful senior season. The On300 prospect plays in the toughest league in the DMV and was es- pecially impressive in his season opener, a matchup up against five-star pass rusher Nyckoles Harbor. He helped pave the way for Gonzaga's offense to average 32.0 points per game in wins and more than 21 points per game overall in 2022. Link has elite technique and bend, which allows him to really excel in pass protection. The No. 11 offensive tackle and No. 134 overall prospect nation- ally also likes to get physical when run blocking and plays with a mean streak. Link projects as a true tackle that could play on the left or right side. How- ever, he also has the potential to play guard, especially early on in his career. MOST ATHLETIC QB Kendrick Bell Kansas City (Mo.) Park Hill Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh loves recruits that play multiple sports at the high school level, so it's not surprise he took a chance on Bell. Along with starring on the football field, Bell is also a starter for his high school basketball team and advanced to the Missouri state track meet in the high jump as a junior. Bell had a sensational senior year as a dual-threat quarterback. He completed 224 of 339 pass attempts (66.1 per- cent) with 35 passing touchdowns, and added 670 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground. He will get his shot to stay under center in Ann Arbor. If that doesn't work out, Bell has the athleticism to move to wide receiver or defensive back. Bell may not be the highest ranked prospect in the class, but he's certainly the most athletic. FASTEST MAN RB Cole Cabana Dexter (Mich.) High There is no debate for fastest man in this year's class. Cabana ran a blazing 10.54 100-meter dash as a junior and quickly proved to be one of the most danger- ous offensive weapons in the country. He totaled 2,434 all-purpose yards and 36 touchdowns (27 rushing, 6 receiving and 3 returns) as a senior in 2022. That speed will be hard to keep off the field at Michigan. Cabana should get in the running back rotation as a true freshman and also be utilized as a slot receiver as well as a kick and punt returner. The speed demon is ranked as the No. 7 running back No. 154 overall prospect nationally by On3. MOST POTENTIAL OL Nathan Efobi Cumming (Ga.) South Forsyth There is no prospect with a bigger rankings discrepancy than Efobi, who is ranked as the No. 10 interior offensive lineman and No. 123 overall prospect nationally by On3, but is the just the No. 612 overall prospect in the country per the On3 Consensus. That's because Efobi is very much the definition of a low-floor, high-ceiling prospect. He is extremely raw from a technical standpoint, and some schools actually FOOTBALL RECRUITING Signing Day Superlatives Cornerback Jyaire Hill is the highest ranked recruit in Michigan's 2023 class at No. 112 nationally by On3. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND At 6-6, 305 pounds, Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga offensive tackle Evan Link is rated by On3 as the No. 11 offensive tackle and No. 134 overall prospect nationally. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND