The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1503142
150 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2023 FOOTBALL PREVIEW FOOTBALL RECRUITING BY EJ HOLLAND W ith official visits in full swing this summer, the Michigan staff was hard at work on closing with some of its top remaining targets in the 2024 cycle. Michigan has its swagger back, both on the field and the recruiting trail, after win- ning back-to-back Big Ten championships and going to the College Football Playoff in 2021 and '22. As of mid-June, the Wolverines already had 22 commitments in the 2024 class, which was ranked No. 5 in the On3 Indus- try Team Recruiting Rankings. That is well ahead of where U-M was a year ago at this time when it only had seven commits head- ing into the summer, one of whom decom- mitted before the summer was out. Position by position, here is a closer look at where Michigan football recruiting stands on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Need: 1 Commits: 1 The Skinny: Michigan landed its prized recruit at the position when On300 Char- lotte (N.C.) Providence Day quarterback Jadyn Davis committed to the Wolverines this spring. Davis, the No. 9 quarterback and No. 115 overall prospect nationally, picked Michigan over North Carolina, Penn State, Tennessee and others and has re- mained completely locked in with his ver- bal pledge. Michigan will not be pursuing any other 2024 quarterbacks moving forward. The Wolverines are fully focused on finding their quarterback take for the next cycle. Running Back Need: 2 Commits: 2 The Skinny: Michigan scored a massive win on the recruiting trail when Top 100 Cincinnati Moeller running back Jordan Marshall picked U-M over Ohio State in March. Marshall, the No. 6 running back and No. 76 overall prospect nationally, is happy with his decision and has been a vo- cal leader on the recruiting trail. While Marshall was a whale of a land, the Wolverines still wanted to add another back this cycle, and they did so on June 16. U-M running backs coach Mike Hart is extremely high on three-star Las Ve- gas Bishop Gorman running back Micah Ka'apana, who gave U-M his commitment during his official visit weekend in Ann Arbor. The 5-foot, 11-inch, 195-pound running back finished the 2022 season averaging 14.3 yards per carry with 1,001 rushing yards on 70 carries and 15 rushing touch- downs. Ka'apana scored 5 touchdowns on 5 touches in Bishop Gorman's win in the Class 5A state title game last November. According to On3, Ka'apana is the No. 42 running back nationally. Top 100 Longview (Texas) High pros- pect Taylor Tatum was at the top of the U-M wish list and was set to make his way to Ann Arbor for an official visit on June 23. However, USC has gained plenty of steam and now appears to be the leader for Tatum, the No. 3 running back and No. 47 overall prospect nationally. While U-M has already met its targeted need at this position, it's a safe bet the Wol- verines would still take Tatum if he were to commit. Wide Receiver Need: 3-4 Commits: 2 The Skinny: Michigan landed its first wide receiver commit of the cycle when three-star Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day prospect Channing Goodwin sided with the Wolverines in May. A legacy recruit (his father Jonathan played at Michigan from 1998-2001 before going on to the NFL) , Goodwin, the No. 139 wide receiver nationally, is a solid posses- sion receiver that can line up in the slot or on the outside. Michigan landed another wide receiver on June 16 when three-star Chicago Ken- wood Academy prospect I'Marion Stewart made his decision in favor of the Wolver- ines. Wisconsin had impressed Stewart, the No. 54 wide receiver nationally in the On3 Industry Ranking, on his early June visit, but Michigan was long considered the leader for the 6-foot, 177-pounder. Five-star St. Louis University prospect Ryan Wingo is the biggest name remain- ing on the board. Wingo, the No. 14 wide receiver and No. 91 overall prospect na- tionally, is a long shot, but he was slated to make his official on June 16. Georgia is considered the heavy leader. Michigan would like to add some size and physicality to the wide receiver room and is making three-star Olney (Md.) Good Counsel prospect Elijah Moore a top pri- ority. Moore, the No. 108 wide receiver nationally, is trending toward Ohio State following a trip to Columbus. However, Michigan is working hard to secure an of- ficial visit soon. RECRUITING GOALS Analyzing Michigan's Remaining Needs For The 2024 Class U-M continues to target three-star Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day wide receiver Jordan Shipp. Two of his high school teammates — QB Jadyn Davis and WR Channing Goodwin — al- ready have committed to U-M this cycle. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND