The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1514918
52 THE WOLVERINE ❱ FEBRUARY 2024 ❱ FOOTBALL RECRUITING BY ZACH LIBBY H ead coach Jim Harbaugh's Michi- gan program signed a total of 27 players in the 2024 recruiting class on the early National Signing Day Dec. 20. Here is The Wolverine's breakdown of Michigan's signing day superlatives. BEST SIGNEE RB Jordan Marshall Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller Michigan committed to recruiting the state of Ohio in 2024 and came away with four signees, headlined by Cincin- nati Archbishop Moeller running back Jordan Marshall, the winner of the Ohio Mr. Football Award. Marshall was pursued heavily by Ohio State, which lost to the relentless effort of U-M running backs coach Mike Hart, who's now considered part of the Marshall family because of how well he connected with them. Listed as the No. 4 running back and No. 81 overall prospect in the country, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, Marshall announced his commitment to Michigan in March of last year after two offseason visits. He was drawn to the family environment in Ann Arbor and felt that he could develop best under Hart. Marshall's final high school season ended with the first-team Division I All-Ohio recipient compiling 1,550 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on 254 carries. With Blake Corum enter- ing the NFL Draft, there's a window for Marshall to fill the role of the former's bell-cow traits immediately. MOST IMPORTANT WIN QB Jadyn Davis Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day In the two recruiting cycles following 2021, the class that featured J.J. Mc- Carthy, Michigan brought in projects for the quarterback position. There was a need for a polished game manager, and that spot was given to Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day signal-caller Jadyn Davis, who won the North Caro- lina Mr. Football Award this past season. Davis' commitment was solidified once quarterbacks coach Kirk Camp- bell was promoted and immediately got to work building a relationship with the No. 7 quarterback nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking. Davis made five unofficial visits to Ann Arbor prior to his late March pledge and joined the U-M class alongside Providence Day wide receiver teammate Channing Goodwin. Davis enrolled early and participated in CFP practices, so get- ting acclimated with the playbook and the speed of the college football game will be fruitful for his progression under center. Campbell's hands-on approach will also help unlock Davis' ceiling. MOST ATHLETIC CB Jo'Ziah Edmond Nappanee (Ind.) Northwood Cornerback Jo'Ziah Edmond wasn't on the Michigan radar heading into the summer last year. That changed when he signed up for a team-hosted camp in June. His performance in front of the coaching staff was so impactful that less than two months later, he was the first true cornerback committed to the 2024 recruiting class. At his high school, which he led to the IHSAA Class 4A Finals this past season, Edmond started at cornerback, box safety, nickel, running back, wide receiver and return specialist. He finished with 64 to- tal tackles, 5 interceptions and 1 forced fumble. But Edmond also has the speed, shiftiness, agility and length to potentially contribute to the offensive side of the ball. He posted 26 carries for 204 yards and 4 touchdowns, along with 65 catches for 505 yards and 7 touchdowns. Edmond shot up the On3 Industry Ranking in the fall to No. 235 overall and the No. 24 cornerback in the country. He won't enroll at U-M until June, but there's an opportunity for him to transform into an elite collegiate skill player once he gets to work inside the team facilities. MOST POTENTIAL EDGE Lugard Edokpayi Forestville (Md.) Bishop McNamara Michigan has gained a reputation for developing project pass rushers into bona fide NFL Draft picks in recent years, and Forestville (Md.) Bishop Mc- Namara edge Lugard Edokpayi could be next in line. At 6-foot-6½, 215 pounds, Edokpayi has an 85-inch wingspan and is a twitchy quarterback hunter. Michigan staffer Dylan Roney offered Edokpayi in early November and hosted the DMV native on an official visit a week before his commitment, which Michigan's Signing Day Superlatives Jordan Marshall, the winner of the Ohio Mr. Football Award, compiled 1,550 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on 254 carries in his senior season at Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller. PHOTO BY CHAD SIMMONS/ON3 Jo'Ziah Edmond started at cornerback, box safety, nickel, running back, wide receiver and return specialist for Nappanee (Ind.) Northwood this past season. PHOTO BY ZACH LIBBY