The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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154 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2023 FOOTBALL PREVIEW FOOTBALL RECRUITING BY ZACH LIBBY M ichigan entered the June official visit period with 22 verbal com- mitments in its 2024 recruiting class, compared to only having seven in the fold at this time a year ago. Listed No. 5 overall in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings through mid- June, the Wolverines are looking to land more blue-chip targets, with many set to return to Ann Arbor for visits. Here is a look at the 10 most desired 2024 prospects remaining on U-M's re- cruiting board as of mid-June. RB Taylor Tatum Longview (Texas) High It's been a concerted ef- fort from both the Michigan football and baseball pro- grams to bring Taylor Tatum up to Ann Arbor. Ranked as the No. 37 overall prospect and No. 1 overall running back in the country, and No. 9 player in the state of Texas, per the On3 Industry Ranking, Tatum set his official visit to U-M for June 23, following trips to both USC (June 2) and Oklahoma (June 16). Georgia, Texas and Texas A&M are working to get Tatum on campus once the July recruiting dead period concludes. The 5-foot-10½, 200-pounder last spent time with the Michigan football and baseball coaching staffs back in Jan- uary. Even though the Trojans are trend- ing upward, that doesn't mean the Wol- verines are moving on. Running backs coach Mike Hart and four-star Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller running back commit Jordan Marshall are keeping in close contact with Tatum. DL Justin Scott Chicago St. Ignatius C h i ca go n a t ive Ju s t i n Scott, On3's No. 8 overall prospect and No. 2 defen- sive lineman in the country, and No. 1 player in the state of Illinois according to On3, got a closer look at Michi- gan on June 9 when he officially visited the school. It was the first time that he's made the drive to Ann Arbor since late October of last year. The proximity to campus and the qual- ity of education were among the appeal- ing items of U-M not only to Scott, but his mother and his head coach at St. Ig- natius, Matt Miller. Not being able to get Scott back for an unofficial visit in the winter and early spring has caused the Wolverines to fall behind in the competition with Miami, Georgia and Notre Dame. One important factor going for Michigan is Mazi Smith, the first-round Dallas Cowboys draft pick, whom the 6-foot-5, 310-pound Scott brings up often when discussing the Wolverines' history of defensive line development. WR Ryan Wingo St. Louis University Similar to Scott, Michigan hasn't hosted Ryan Wingo for a visit since the Michi- gan State game last Hal- loween weekend. But the Wolverines had one more opportunity to pitch the On3 Industry Ranking's No. 27 overall prospect and No. 7 overall wide receiver nationally, and No. 2 prospect in the state of Missouri, on June 9 during his official visit. Already having a top-five ranked quarterback commit in the 2024 class in Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day four- star field general Jadyn Davis only adds to the Wolverines' attractiveness. Same goes for the work done by wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy, who has developed a close relationship with Wingo and his inner circle. Michigan has made the city of St. Louis a priority in recent years, having signed early enrollee wide receiver Fredrick Moore in the 2023 cycle. At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Wingo picking U-M would cer- tify its presence in the recruiting hotbed. Safety Zaquan Patterson Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Zaquan Patterson is a teammate and very close friend of 2025 Michigan four-star cornerback com- mit Chris Ewald Jr., who made his decision back in December 2022. Ewald has publicly stated more than once to The Wolverine that he intends to bring a South Florida vibe to Ann Arbor, with Patterson being one of his priority tar- gets. Michigan also views Patterson and his 6-foot, 185-pound frame as a valuable asset in the secondary. Listed as the No. 72 overall prospect and No. 3 safety in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Indus- try Ranking, Patterson has made three unofficial visits to the Michigan campus since April 2022, most recently on June 23. Miami is a strong favorite to receive a commitment from Patterson, but the Michigan's 10 Most Wanted Remaining Prospects For 2024 Olney (Md.) Good Counsel's Darien Mayo is rated the No. 8 edge and No. 89 overall player in the nation according to On3. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND