The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MARCH 2023 THE WOLVERINE 43 P L AY E R BIOS BY ZACH LIBBY Cornerback Cameron Calhoun had ar- guably the best verbal commitment an- nouncement in the entire 2023 U-M class. A Cincinnati native, Calhoun took an unofficial visit to Ohio State on Thanks- giving weekend for "The Game" against Michigan. He already had an offer from the Wolverines and previously visited the prior week for the Illinois game, but the Buckeyes still hadn't offered at the time. One hour after the game clock hit zero and Michigan had won its second straight con- test over its Big Ten archrival, Calhoun took to social media and an- nounced his pledge to the eventual conference champions. "I got put on Sports- Center," Calhoun said. "I woke up the next day, and ESPN was messag- ing me [on social me- dia]. I said, 'Hold on, this isn't real.' They said they wanted to share my story but were going to block out the comments. "I told them they don't have to worry about all of that. I made my commitment to Michigan, and I'm going to stay with that school. They got the story rolling, and my phone went crazy. It was insane." Calhoun was spotted celebrating with the Michigan players and coaches at the Horseshoe in what was another dagger to the heart for Ohio State. The Buckeyes lost their rivalry game for the second straight year while also losing out on an in-state recruit who lives less than two hours away from Columbus on the same day. As one of four prospects in Ohio to sign with Michigan in 2023, Calhoun was the second of what would be four straight commitments from Buckeye-state play- ers in a span of four days, including a 2024 pledge. After his mic drop in the Horseshoe, Calhoun is ready to fully embrace the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry on the field. Next November's matchup will bring some extra incentive when he goes against his former Winton Woods teammate Jer- maine Mathews Jr., who will suit up for the Buckeyes. "I think Ohio State will start using my commitment as locker room motivation," Calhoun said. "I know that they're going to try to beat us next year, but that's even more moti- vation for us. We have a new steppingstone to go out there and beat them for my next four years." Calhoun earned his offer from Michigan in early November while he was still committed to Cincinnati, which was the second Power Five school to accept him into the fold follow- ing West Virginia. Cal- houn backed out with the Bearcats after an of- ficial visit to Kentucky and a debut trip to Ann Arbor for the final home game of the season. Increased communication with co-de- fensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale also heightened Calhoun's budding interest in Michigan, since the pair have similar roots and background due to their Ohio upbringing. Calhoun also bought into Clinkscale's ideas on defense. "Coach Clink sees the game faster," Calhoun said. "It's like he can picture the future. That's the type of vision I want to develop more of. I know I'm going to be playing in an NFL-type defense under Coach Clink, and that's what I'll be ready for." ❏ 2023 Projection On3 ranked Calhoun as a high three-star prospect coming out of high school, but I would have had him graded as a four-star because of his high football IQ, knowledge of the game, statistical production, leadership ability and "dawg mentality" that made him a lockdown corner. Think of Semaj Morgan but on the defensive side of the ball. He's not as athletic and not as tall compared to Jyaire Hill, but his physicality and confidence should make him a fan favorite early. Calhoun, On3's No. 44 cornerback prospect nationally and No. 15 player in Ohio, earned first-team all- state honors as a senior at Cincinnati Winton Woods High. PHOTO BY ZACH LIBBY STATISTICS Year Tackles TFL PBU INT TD 2022 52 3 15 5 1 2021 61 – – 9 – HONORS • Earned first-team All-Ohio honors in 2022. • Picked up second-team all-state honors in 2021. • First-team all-district his junior and senior seasons (2021-22). • Helped the Warriors finish 12-1 his senior year with an appearance in the regional semifinal. • Part of a Division II state championship- winning team in 2021. RECRUITMENT • Pledged to Michigan Nov. 26, 2022, less than a month after receiving an offer on Nov. 3, 2022. • Picked U-M over offers from Kentucky, Cincinnati and West Virginia. • Recruited by U-M co-defensive coordi- nator and defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale. DID YOU KNOW? • An early enrollee at U-M. • Career interceptions leader at Winton Woods with 14. • Also lettered in track and field as a sophomore with personal bests of 15.39 in the 110-meter high hurdles and 40.24 in the 300-meter hurdles. • Son of Erica Larkin. • Born Oct. 2, 2004. THEY SAID IT On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power: "He has pretty good size and the frame to fill out a little bit more. When you look at him, you just think of the ball skills. He played opposite of five-star Jermaine Mathews, and he made plays when he was targeted. He has a very high pass breakup-to-interception rate." CAMERON CALHOUN DEFENSIVE BACK 6-0 • 175 WINTON WOODS HIGH CINCINNATI RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ 421 46 12 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 44 15 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 33 9 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 59 18 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 33 8 consensus Cincinnati Cornerback Cameron Calhoun Experiences Viral Moment On SportsCenter