The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1493247
2023 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE 38 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2023 BY EJ HOLLAND It's been a while since Michigan has landed a prospect out of Pennsylvania. In fact, the last Keystone State recruit to sign with the Wolverines was defensive lineman Donovan Jeter as part of the 2017 class. Michigan is making a concerted effort to get back into Pennsylvania, and Philadel- phia Imhotep Institute Charter linebacker Semaj Bridgeman immediately became a top priority this cycle. The Wolverines offered Bridgeman back in September 2021 and closed with his commitment shortly after his official visit last summer. Bridgeman boasted one of the more impressive offer sheets in the class, with scholarships from the likes of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU and Or- egon. At the end of the day, however, Michi- gan felt like home, and Bridgeman never wavered from his commitment. "My relationships with Coach [Jim] Harbaugh and the staff are still great," Bridgeman said. "I'm locked in. I love the school and the academics. I can't wait to get to Michigan." Relationships played a big role in Bridgeman's initial decision. Both head coach Jim Harbaugh and for- mer linebackers coach George Helow led the way in his recruitment and made him feel like part of the family throughout the process. "Coach Helow just told me to keep being an animal this season," Bridge- man said. "Play every down like it's my last. I took that advice and translated it to the field. It's the same with Coach Harbaugh." While Bridgeman was unable to make it to a U-M game this past season, he has kept a close eye on the Wolverines throughout the year, especially the de- fense, and believes he's a perfect fit for Jesse Minter's scheme. "I think I fit in well into their defense," Bridgeman said. "They played lights out. I've really been watching Junior Colson. I feel like I can fit that role. But I don't want to put my name with somebody else's. I want to be better than him." That's certainly a tall task. However, Bridgeman is extremely con- fident in his abilities and is hopeful he'll be able to make his presence known in the linebacker room as soon as he arrives on campus this summer. "I feel like they can develop me and help me make a big impact," Bridgeman said. "Coach Minter has the Mike [linebacker] blitzing off the edge and covering receiv- ers. That's what I did here [at Imhotep]. I think I'll be ready." For now, Bridgeman is going to train on his own and continue to help Michigan on the recruiting trail. Pulling Bridgeman out of powerhouse Imhotep should help the Wolverines find more recruiting success in Pennsylvania. And Bridgeman is hard at work on his younger teammates, specifically three- star 2024 cornerback target Kenny Wose- ley Jr. and top-100 edge Zahir Mathis in the 2025 class. "I've been recruiting all those guys," Bridgeman said. "I basically tell them to look at the games and the defense. We made the playoffs. I tell them to make sure that they are talking to the position coaches recruiting them." ❑ Pennsylvania Linebacker Semaj Bridgeman Could Make An Instant Impact 2023 Projection Bridgeman is a traditional inside line- backer who is physically ready to play as a true freshman. While he may not be in line for a starting role, it wouldn't be surprising to see him get in the rota- tion, especially in relief of Junior Colson. Bridgeman is a thumper but will need to improve his speed and shape up his body upon arrival in Ann Arbor. Coming from Philadelphia Imhotep Institute Charter, Bridgeman is the first U-M signee from Pennsylvania since Donovan Jeter in the 2017 class. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND STATISTICS Year Tackles TFL Sacks FF TD 2022 27 5 1 3 1 HONORS • Named a PrepStar Top 350 All-American, checking in at No. 233 on the list. • Nominated for the high school Butkus Award, honoring the top linebacker in the country, as a senior. • The Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media all-area second-team defense as a junior (2021). • His senior year, Imhotep Charter won the Philadelphia city championship and reached the Pennsylvania state 5A final before falling 28-14 to Pine-Richland. • Part of a defense that allowed just 7.3 points per game his senior year with four straight shutouts during the season. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Michigan on July 1, 2022, after receiving offer in September 2021. • Picked U-M over offers from Alabama, Georgia, Penn State, Oregon and Mary- land. • Recruited by former U-M linebackers coach George Helow. DID YOU KNOW? • Began his career at Bishop McDevitt before the school closed; transferred to Archbishop Wood before playing his senior year at Imhotep Charter. • Son of Shelton and Stacey Bridgeman. • Born Oct. 27, 2004. THEY SAID IT Imhotep associate head coach Cyril Woodland: "He's explosive. He's athletic. He's fast. He's big. Shoot, he checks all the boxes. Honestly, it's just about getting him comfortable with understanding his reads and coverages. He's quiet, but when the pads come on, he's a different type of person." SEMAJ BRIDGEMAN LINEBACKER 6-2 • 225 IMHOTEP INSTITUTE CHARTER PHILADELPHIA RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 304 31 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 37 7 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 37 6 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 251 9 3 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 14 7 consensus