The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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JUNE/JULY 2023 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 45 BY ZACH LIBBY I n the four months that Kirk Camp- bell has been on the Michigan coaching staff as the quarterbacks coach — earning the promotion in January after spending a year as an offen- sive analyst — he's transcended how the quarterback position at U-M is viewed by top targets. His efforts on the recruiting trail and his ability to connect personally with both prospects and their families have stood out. Campbell has checked all the boxes to serve as a mentor, supporter and teacher for those with the chance to play under center for Michigan. "He's definitely a high-intensity and high-energy guy," Steve Saunders told The Wolverine. "I'm sure people have given the same response about him, and you have to love that. "You have to love people who love to teach and are passionate about football. I think it's very evident that Coach Camp- bell has both of those qualities." Saunders is the father of 2025 Har- risburg (Pa.) Bishop McDevitt four-star quarterback Stone Saunders, who was one of the first Michigan targets to hear from Campbell back in the winter. Their initial contact has since turned into weekly phone calls. Campbell also holds ties to the state of Pennsylvania and shares that common- ality with Saunders, who was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for his home state in 2022 and is rated as the No. 254 prospect and No. 20 quarterback in his class. Saunders also made a visit to Ann Arbor during spring camp to watch how Camp- bell coaches and instructs in a live setting. The elder Saunders is keen on hav- ing personal talks with the coaches who are recruiting his son. He met with both Campbell and head coach Jim Harbaugh inside Schembechler Hall. The Saunders and Harbaugh families have a unique connection. Steve was the strength and conditioning coach for the Baltimore Ravens for seven years under head coach John Harbaugh. Steve and his son enjoyed both their visits to Ann Arbor, but the last one was more impactful. " W h e n eve r t h e re i s a c o a c h - ing change, you never know what the new guy is going to be like and what they're looking for," Saunders said. "On the second trip to Michigan, we got to spend more time with Coach Harbaugh and met face-to-face with Coach Camp- bell for the first time. "We were there on a unique day be- cause they were doing their spring game draft. We got to see that and the workout afterwards, which was great." Saunders is one of several key 2025 quarterbacks who both have offers from After serving as an offensive analyst last season for Michigan, Campbell was promoted to quarterbacks coach for the Wolverines this winter. PHOTO BY ZACH LIBBY STRONG IMPRESSION New QB Coach Kirk Campbell Is Connecting With Recruits And Families Alike ❱ FOOTBALL RECRUITING