The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1493247
2023 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE 52 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2023 BY EJ HOLLAND Michigan added just one signee during the traditional signing period in February. Three-star Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon defensive lineman Cameron Brandt flipped his commitment from Stanford to Michigan on National Sign- ing Day, rounding out the 2023 recruiting class with an exclamation point. "It just felt right," Brandt said. "I like the campus overall. I liked the people who I'm going to be around. I know it's a great academic school. I would be able to still do engineering as a major and experience people all around who want to go at it and want to get better each and every day at football." Brandt originally gave Stanford a verbal pledge in the summer. However, Brandt opted not to sign with the Cardinal during the early period following the resignation of head coach David Shaw. That opened the door for the Wolverines to make a run and eventually complete the flip. Michigan defensive line coach Mike Elston led the way in Brandt's recruit- ment and quickly developed a bond with the West Coast native. "I like Coach Elston as a guy and coach," Brandt said. "He's really genuine. I like how he develops his players on and off the field." At 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, Brandt played multiple spots along the defensive line at the high school level. Michigan recruited him more as a big- ger edge, which was a void left by decommit Collins Ache- ampong, who flipped from Michigan to Miami prior to the early signing period. Brandt was impressed with Elston's pitch and believes he can learn a lot from one of the best defensive line teachers in the country. "I really like what he has planned out for me as a player and what his plan is to see me grow as a player," Brandt said. "He's experienced, he knows what he's doing, he's gotten a lot of his defensive linemen to the NFL. I just felt confident in his capabilities to make me into the best defensive line- man I can be." Of course, Michigan has had plenty of success with pass rushers in the past. The Wolverines produced NFL Draft picks Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo a year ago and will see Mike Morris get his name called this April. And that's some- thing that really moved the needle with Brandt when he made the ultimate call to switch his pledge to Michigan late in the process. "I'm really excited about that because that's just preparing me for the biggest stage, which is the NFL," Brandt said. "I feel like me going there, it's going to prepare me mentally and physically for [what] I'm going to encounter in the NFL, because I'll be going against, I would say, some of the best offensive linemen and training and playing with some of the best defensive linemen." ❑ Defensive Lineman Cameron Brandt Joined U-M's Class On February Signing Day 2023 Projection Brandt may start off as a pass rusher but could also spin down and play more of a three-technique role. While he has plenty of upside, a lot of what Brandt becomes will depend on his work in the strength and conditioning program. He will likely need a year or two to develop before seeing meaningful time in the rotation. Brandt flipped to Michigan from Stanford on Feb. 1, becoming the capstone to U-M's recruiting class of 2023. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND STATISTICS Year Tackles TFL Sacks 2022 55 10 4 2021 52 11 5.5 HONORS • Two-time All-CIF Southern Section (Divi- sion 2) honoree in 2021 and 2022. • Helped Sierra Canyon go 10-5 with a state regional championship appearance as a senior in 2022. Team started 1-3 be- fore winning eight of its last nine games. • Team went 7-5 as a junior and 5-1 in a COVID-shortened sophomore season. RECRUITMENT • Became the 24th member of U-M's class of 2023 when he flipped from Stanford on National Signing Day (Feb. 1, 2023). • Initially received his U-M offer in May 2022. • Also received offers from Cal, Washing- ton, Oregon, USC and Texas. • Recruited by U-M defensive line coach Mike Elston. DID YOU KNOW? • Also contributed on offense as a senior, including catching a game-winning two- point conversion in a first-round playoff win and filling in on the offensive line in certain offensive packages. • Son of Nina Brandt and the late Bob- bington Brandt. THEY SAID IT Sierra Canyon head coach Jon El- linghouse: "I think he's a great get for Michigan. They should be really excited about him. I think he's the perfect fit. He's a no-fluff guy. He's going to come in and do his job and do it well, which is what they stand for. I think he'll be very successful there." CAMERON BRANDT DEFENSIVE LINE 6-4 • 260 SIERRA CANYON HIGH CHATSWORTH, CALIF. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ 407 46 33 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 66 57 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 41 24 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 25 36 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 31 41 consensus