The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1488967
50 THE WOLVERINE JANUARY 2023 BY CHRIS BALAS A fter the December early signing day, the Michigan 2023 recruit- ing class ranks just inside the top 20 — No. 18 — a little lower than expected for a team coming off back-to-back Big Ten titles, but still solid. Head coach Jim Harbaugh told host and former Wolverine Jon Jansen on the "In the Trenches" podcast that he loved everything about it. "It's a great recruiting class … it's a total effort by all," he said. "It's about choosing future Michigan men who possess the qualities we aspire to have in the program. This class represents those qualities we're looking for — guys that are willing to work hard to be the best version of themselves, each and every day. "Those who are also willing to place team highly in their priorities … show up every day, work in the weight room to learn, to practice be a champion, be a true Michigan man." They're trying to get future starters at every position Harbaugh noted, and they covered every position. Harbaugh praised Kendrick Bell, brother of two-time captain Ronnie Bell. "We struck lightning with Ronnie Bell as a great teammate and player. Talk about someone always willing to put the team first," Harbaugh said. "Ron- nie Bell epitomizes that. His brother Kendrick is a great athlete. He loves to compete. He told me he's willing to play any position. He could be a quarterback, receiver, corner. He's got the skill set to play all those. "We'll start him out at quarterback, and we'll roll from there. He's an ex- tremely productive football player who is very versatile." The Wolverines brought in three of- fensive linemen — Evan Link, Nathan Efobi and Amir Herring. All come with high expectations, Harbaugh noted. "As soon as you meet all three of these offensive linemen, you're going to be excited," Harbaugh said. "Great guys. They're going to fit right in with our offensive line. They love to work. They're not ever really looking for ac- colades. It's all about working hard and being the best they can be. That's what I love about each. "Nathan's family is very close to the Ojabo family. The mothers are very, very good friends, and tip of the cap to David Ojabo for recommending Michigan to the Efobi family. Just wonderful, won- derful people. "Nathan is an athlete who is an O-lineman. He has a super high ceiling. He can play both sides of the ball. And his dream school has been Michigan, thanks in part to the great David Ojabo and the Ojabo family." Herring comes from another great Michigan family, Harbaugh added. "We've been recruiting Amir for about two or three years," he said. "He's been one of our best recruiters for the '23 class all along with his teammate Semaj Morgan. They've done a tre- mendous job of helping build this class. … They were part of the [2020] state championship with Donovan Edwards. "Amir's been a four-year starter at West Bloomfield. It's practically im- possible to start on a high-caliber high school football team as a freshman. He's a super hard worker and loves Michigan. He has been here a lot dur- ing his recruitment and came to a lot of games. "He's a really great student. He wants to go into medicine. I love the O-line- men who are street smart and book smart … savvy about the game, but also just smart. "As a quarterback and a running back, that makes you feel really good that they're going to know their assignment and go out and execute." Link, meanwhile, comes from a mili- tary family, and it shows. "One thing I've learned is the apple doesn't fall too far from the branch. Each one of these players come from great families," Harbaugh said. "Evan Link comes from a military family, both his mom and dad. He attended a big-time high school in Gonzaga and played against elite competition. He's no stranger to competition. He's shown an ability to be the dominant player. "He's got a great frame and is very athletic, smart and intelligent. He wants to go into engineering or business. "It's a really fantastic offensive line class. All three are really savvy for foot- ball and gifted in the classroom." ❏ MICHIGAN RECRUITING NOTEBOOK Jim Harbaugh Dishes On Several '23 Signees: 'It's A Great Recruiting Class' Amir Herring — shown with his mother, Chris Herring, at The Big House — was a four-year starter on the offensive line and two-time all-state selection for powerhouse West Bloomfield (Mich.) High. He's one of three offensive line standouts in the U-M recruiting class of 2023. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND