The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MARCH 2023 THE WOLVERINE 45 P L AY E R BIOS BY EJ HOLLAND It didn't take Brooks Bahr long to be- come a Wolverine. The three-star defensive lineman from Wilmette (Ill.) Loyola Academy notched a Michigan offer in February 2022 and com- mitted just a little more than a month later. Bahr was one of the earliest U-M pledges in the 2023 recruiting class and remained solid throughout the entire pro- cess. "Michigan had everything I wanted," Bahr said. "I'm interested in sports man- agement and business. They obviously have great academics. I love the facilities and coaches. I think they are going to maximize my poten- tial." Bahr certainly has a ton of potential. Heading into his junior season, Bahr was listed as an edge and was right around 240 pounds. He has since added over 30 pounds to his frame with a late growth spurt. Now, Bahr is seen as more of a true defensive lineman. "They want me to maintain my weight and be around 280- ish," Bahr said. "They want me to play defensive end and defensive tackle — basically switch inside. They want me to hold my own and dominate at that weight." Bahr is still getting com- fortable with his reshaped body and will likely need to develop in Michigan's strength and conditioning program before making an impact in Ann Arbor. Bahr is ready to put in the work in the weight room and on the field. And he has no better developer of talent than Michigan defensive line coach Mike Elston, who led the way in his recruitment. Elston first identified Bahr when he was the defensive line coach at Notre Dame and made him a priority upon arrival in Ann Arbor. "We've known each other for a while," Bahr said. "He's a really cool guy. He's someone you want to be around and someone you want to learn from. He's a great family man. His children reflect who he is as a father. I'm really excited to play for him. He's just a great guy." Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was also personally involved in Bahr's recruit- ment. Harbaugh had a great sit-down meeting with Bahr and his family during their official visit in the summer, which only reaffirmed his commitment to the Wolverines. "My family loves Coach Harbaugh," Bahr said. "He's a really cool guy. He's really honest. He's a character. He's not fake. He's high energy and really passion- ate about football. He'll put it all on the line. He cares for you as a human being." Bahr put pen to paper during the early signing period and will arrive on campus this summer with lofty goals in mind. "Obviously, I want to be the best," Bahr said. "I want to be like Aidan Hutchinson. I want to have double-digit sacks. I just want to dominate at the Big Ten level." ❏ 2023 Projection Bahr experienced a late weight gain and growth spurt, and he is still getting comfortable with his new frame. A taller defensive lineman, Bahr still has room to add another 20 pounds and will need to spend at least a couple of years in the Michigan strength and conditioning pro- gram before seeing the field. A redshirt freshman campaign is a likely avenue for the intriguing Chicagoland defensive line- man. Bahr was selected to longtime Illinois prep reporter Edgy Tim's all-state squad as a senior. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND STATISTICS Year Tackles TFL Sacks FF 2022 49 7 2 0 2021 46 8 3 1 HONORS • Chicago Sun-Times All-Area team as a senior (2022). • CCL/ESCC Blue Lineman of the Year as a senior. • Also a CCL/ESCC Blue All-Conference performer (2022). • Helped lead Loyola Academy to a Class 8A championship his senior year with a 13-1 record. • Key part of a Loyola defense that limited opponents to 14.3 points per game dur- ing his senior season. • The Ramblers posted a 12-1 record his junior season (2021) with an appearance in the state semifinal. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Michigan on March 15, 2022, after receiving an offer in February 2022. • Picked U-M over offers from Illinois, Iowa, Northwestern and Purdue. • Recruited by defensive line coach Mike Elston and offensive coordinator and line coach Sherrone Moore. DID YOU KNOW? • His high school coach, John Holecek, played eight seasons as a linebacker in the NFL, mostly with the Buffalo Bills. • Son of Gus and Jennifer Bahr. • Born Aug. 26, 2004. THEY SAID IT Loyola head coach John Holecek: "Anyone that has an early offer to Michi- gan, you know there is NFL potential. But he's just a baby. He just added these 40 pounds in less than a year. Michigan will add more power and strength. I think he'll be close to that NFL level." BROOKS BAHR DEFENSIVE LINE 6-6 • 280 LOYOLA ACADEMY LAKE FOREST, ILL. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ 642 67 12 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 62 8 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 94 19 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 97 14 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 40 12 consensus For Defensive Lineman Brooks Bahr, Michigan Was An Easy Decision