Visitors: June 2-4, 2023

 

Brian Robinson, Jr. (image via 247 Sports)

2023 TRANSFER PORTAL

Josh Wallace - CB - UMass: Wallace is a 6'1", 190-pounder who has started 34 games over the past few seasons at UMass and was a two-time team captain. He has one year of eligibility remaining and was coached at UMass by former Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown.

2024

Marquis Gallegos - S - West Hills (CA) Chaminade: Gallegos is a 6'1", 175 lb. prospect with offers from Cal, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, UCLA, and USC, among others. He's a 4-star, the #23 safety, and #252 overall. This is his official visit.

Brian Robinson, Jr. - DE - Austintown (OH) Fitch: Robinson is a 6'5", 255-pounder with offers from Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Penn State, among others. He's a 4-star, the #10 edge, and #132 overall. All four crystal ball picks have come in for Michigan, but he also has official visits set up for Kentucky and Penn State after he visits Ann Arbor.

Hit the jump for more.

2023 Season Countdown: #105 Will Rolapp

 

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Julio Cortez/AP/Shutterstock (12611603ai) Michigan wide receiver Will Rolapp, left, makes a catch against Maryland defensive back Corey Coley Jr. during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in College Park, Md. Michigan won 59-18 Michigan Maryland Football, College Park, United States - 20 Nov 2021

Name: Will Rolapp
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 200 lbs.
High school: Darien (CT) Suffield Academy
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #30
Last year: I ranked Rolapp #101 and said he would be a backup wide receiver and special teamer (LINK). He did not play in any games.
TTB Rating: N/A

Rolapp is a walk-on receiver who did not see any playing time in 2022 even though he had a very nice, memorable, 26-yard catch against Maryland in 2021. A few fun facts about Rolapp since there's really no recap of last season for him:

• Rolapp originally attended Darien (CT) Darien, the same high school as former Michigan offensive lineman Andrew Stueber
• He then attended Suffield Academy for prep school, the same prep school that produced Michigan players Kechaun Bennett, Brad Hawkins, and Davis Warren
• Rolapp also played point guard in basketball and once scored 44 points in a game
• There's a 5-minute highlight reel of his basketball exploits on Youtube:

As for playing time in 2023, Rolapp will be in a battle for mop-up duty.

2023 Season Countdown: #106 Hunter Neff

 

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Paul Sancya/AP/Shutterstock (10405418f) Michigan wide receiver Hunter Neff runs during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Army in Ann Arbor, Mich Army Michigan Football, Ann Arbor, USA - 07 Sep 2019

Name: Hunter Neff
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 231 lbs.
High school: Chelsea (MI) Chelsea
Position: Tight end
Class: Redshirt senior
Jersey number: #80
Last year: I ranked Neff #117 and said he would be a backup tight end (LINK). He played in two games and caught 1 pass for 8 yards.
TTB Rating: N/A

Neff deserves some sort of award for stick-to-it-iveness. He joined the program as a walk-on in 2019, stuck through 2020, and stayed through 2021 without seeing the field. After three years of sitting and watching, he finally got on the field in a couple blowout games in 2022, even catching an 8-yard pass against Colorado State.

There probably won't be a big leap in 2023, but Michigan did lose several tight ends in the off-season - four, to be exact. Neff doesn't have the size to factor into the rotation much, but he could possibly move up slightly on the depth chart. A.J. Barner, Matt Hibner, and Colston Loveland seem to make up the top three, and then after that, things seem to be a little murky.

Prediction: Backup tight end

2024 Recruiting Update: May 29, 2023

 

Owen Wafle (image via Irish Sports Daily)

CURRENT 2024 TEAM RECRUITING RANKING: #2

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2023 TRANSFER PORTAL

Michigan offered UMass grad transfer Josh Wallace, who's a 6'1", 190-pounder. Wallace was a 3-star and the #142 cornerback overall back in the class of 2019 when he came out of Hyattsville (MD) DeMatha. He made 41 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, and 8 pass breakups in 2022. Wallace is a two-time team captain and has started 34 games for the Minutemen.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2024

Princeton (NJ) Hun School defensive tackle Owen Wafle (4-star, #41 DL, #405 overall) was offered by Michigan and decommitted from Notre Dame. Notre Dame has a policy like Brady Hoke used to have, where visiting other schools means you're no longer considered a commitment. Wafle plans to visit Ann Arbor and therefore sacrificed his spot in Notre Dame's class, so some crystal balls came in for Wafle to commit to the Wolverines.

OFF THE BOARD

Peculiar (MO) Raymore-Peculiar tight end Jaden Reddell (4-star, #3 TE, #55 overall) committed to Georgia.

2023 Season Countdown: #107 Danny Hughes

 

Danny Hughes (#24, image via Twitter)

Name: Danny Hughes
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 205 lbs.
High school: Naperville (IL) Central
Position: Running back
Class: Redshirt senior
Jersey number: #24
Last year: I ranked Hughes #80 and said he would be a backup running back and special teamer (LINK). He played in seven games and had 6 carries for 35 yards.
TTB Rating: N/A

For the past two seasons, Hughes has been a big special teams contributor, playing in 20 games over that time span. Last season with a shallow running back depth chart, he managed to snag 6 carries for 35 yards across two blowout games (Hawaii and UConn).

This season I'm dropping Hughes down a hefty 27 spots for a couple reasons. First of all, Michigan returns a ton of players this season and did not lose much off the College Football Playoff team from a year ago. Second, Michigan returns everyone from the running back room and adds two freshmen, Cole Cabana and Benjamin Hall. There might be some garbage time carries to be handed out to walk-ons, but Michigan also needs to find out what it has in some of the younger backs like Hall, Cabana, and C.J. Stokes to see if they can take over the load in 2024 after both Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards could possibly be gone.

Prediction: Backup running back and special teamer

2023 Season Countdown: #108 Breeon Ishmail

 

Breeon Ishmail (image via 247 Sports)

Name: Breeon Ishmail
Height: 6’4"
Weight: 225 lbs.
High school: Hamilton (OH) Princeton
Position: Edge
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Ishmail was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 64 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, and 2 interceptions (1 returned for a TD).
TTB Rating: 71

Ishmail was one of the later commitments in the class of 2023, announcing his intention to play for Michigan in late November. A whirling dervish of a player, Ishmail did a little bit of everything for Princeton's defense, playing middle linebacker, overhang defender, and edge rusher. They didn't rush him as much as they could have, or else his sack totals should have been higher.

Ishmail has the length and closing speed to be a productive pass rusher, but he's a little bit light right now and doesn't have a whole lot of technique in his arsenal. Rated as a 3-star, the #91 linebacker, and #1107 overall in the 247 Composite, Michigan lists him as an EDGE, which I think is his best fit. He will need a couple seasons to pack on enough weight to hold up against kickout blocks, and then he'll have a chance to see the field.

Prediction: Redshirt

2023 Season Countdown: #109 Nathan Efobi

 

Nathan Efobi (image via Twitter)

Name: Nathan Efobi
Height: 6’4"
Weight: 295 lbs.
High school: Cumming (GA) South Forsyth
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Efobi was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble on defense.
TTB Rating: 68

Efobi was a pretty big get for Michigan in the 2023 class, signing with the Wolverines over offers from Georgia, Miami, and Penn State, among others. He ended up as a 247 Composite 4-star, the #19 interior offensive lineman, and #345 overall. He committed in November and signed in December, and he will join the Wolverines this summer.

From an on-the-field perspective, I'm not sure how much Efobi will have an impact. I gave him a TTB Rating of 68 because I think he has a lot of work to do. Even if considering the overall ranking, only 259 players were drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, so if he ends up as the 345th best player in three to five years, that puts him as an undrafted free agent. Of course, NFL Draft results don't always mirror recruiting rankings, but it's important to keep some perspective. Efobi will probably need at least a year of development to be field-ready, and Michigan has a ton of legitimate linemen, so I think a redshirt is a safe bet.

Prediction: Redshirt

2023 Season Countdown: #110 Alessandro Lorenzetti

 

Alessandro Lorenzetti (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Alessandro Lorenzetti
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 289 lbs.
High school: Windsor (CT) Loomis Chaffee
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #89
Last year: I ranked Lorenzetti #91 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He redshirted.
TTB Rating: 85

Lorenzetti came in last year as an offensive lineman, and according to MGoBlue.com, he was named the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week during the week leading up to the Michigan State game. Offensive linemen usually redshirt, though, and Lorenzetti was no exception.

Fast forward to the spring of 2023, and Lorenzetti is now playing defensive tackle. He has switched jersey numbers to #89 and is presumably pretty low on the depth chart since Michigan has a pretty solid two-deep. Michigan does a pretty good job of finding out where players will work out best (see: Mike Sainristil and Chase Winovich), but it seems like linemen who get lost between sides of the ball often don't work out (see: Jack Stewart and Tom Strobel). There's still plenty of time for Lorenzetti to emerge, and Dominic Giudice is another lineman who still has a chance to develop after bouncing around a bit. But in his first year of playing defensive line, I doubt we'll see much of Lorenzetti on Saturday afternoons.

Prediction: Backup defensive tackle

2023 Season Countdown: #111 Sam Staruch

 

Sam Staruch (image via Twitter)

Name: Sam Staruch
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 182 lbs.
High school: Lake Orion (MI) Lake Orion
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #84
Last year: I ranked Staruch #105 and said he would be a backup wide receiver (LINK). He played in two games.
TTB Rating: N/A

Staruch parlayed his touchdown catch in the 2022 spring game into playing on special teams in the season opener and then playing some wide receiver two weeks later against UConn. That type of action is probably once again the ceiling in 2023, as the Wolverines lost some receiving talent but are also bringing in some talented freshmen. Plus the emergence of walk-on Peyton O'Leary shows the top of the pecking order when it comes to walk-ons.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver and special teamer

2023 Season Countdown: #112 D.J. Waller, Jr.

 

D.J. Waller, Jr. (image via Twitter)

Name: D.J. Waller, Jr.
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 195 lbs.
High school: Youngstown (OH) Chaney
Position: Cornerback
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Waller was a senior in high school. He made 47 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 interception.
TTB Rating: N/A

Waller was a late add to Michigan's class in the early signing period. He was not offered until November of his senior year, and he didn't commit to the Wolverines until December 18, just three days before National Signing Day. He was ranked as a 3-star, the #73 cornerback, and #703 overall in the 247 Composite rankings. He committed at such a busy time - and so little was known about him - that it turns out I didn't even write a commitment post for him, which was an oversight on my part.

Anyway, Waller was a high school safety and wide receiver who's ranked as a cornerback but who some think might be a linebacker in college. I have seen some comparisons to former Michigan cornerback Jeremy Clark, who was 6'3" and 220 lbs and turned into a 6th round pick. Clark was a project, and so is Waller. Waller might be too stiff for cornerback, and he's too light to play linebacker right now. His best bet for early playing time is probably playing special teams, but redshirts don't usually get burned just for special teams time. I'm guessing he will spend his freshman year percolating on the sideline.

Prediction: Redshirt

2023 Season Countdown: #113 Jesse Madden

 

Jesse Madden (image via Twitter)

Name: Jesse Madden
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 193 lbs.
High school: Oakland (CA) Bishop O’Dowd
Position: Safety
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #43
Last year: I ranked Madden #123 and said he would be a backup quarterback (LINK). He did not play in any games.
TTB Rating: N/A

Madden, the grandson of late football coach and broadcaster John Madden, was a quarterback in high school and for his first year on campus. But with the path blocked by lots of other players - including some talented walk-ons - Madden made the shift to safety last season. While that did not turn into playing time, he was named the team's Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year.

Maybe 2023 will see Madden getting some playing time, but there are better athletes amongst the walk-ons that are more likely to see the field on special teams and such. My guess is that Madden will mostly be a scout team guy with maybe a game or two on special teams as a reward for his work in practice.

Prediction: Backup safety and special teamer

2024 Recruiting Update: May 22, 2023

 

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

OFF THE BOARD

Durant (OK) Durant defensive tackle Xadavien Sims (4-star, #23 DL, #194 overall) committed to Oregon.

Baltimore (MD) St. Frances quarterback Michael Van Buren (4-star, #11 QB, #129 overall) committed to Oregon. At one point it seemed like Penn State might land him, so it takes a 4-star quarterback off to Pac-12 country instead of putting him in the Big Ten. Right now PSU's quarterback is a 3-star and the #575 player in the nation, Ethan Grunkemeyer.

MISCELLANEY

During a slow week for Michigan recruiting - at least in the 2024 class - the biggest news was probably the hiring and subsequent resignation of Shemy Schembechler. The son of Bo Schembechler was briefly brought on in a recruiting role, but in no time, he came under scrutiny for some of his "likes" on Twitter. Here's an article from 247 Sports discussing the development (LINK). I've thought for a couple months that it was odd Michigan was hiring someone with the last name Schembechler, considering the microscope that Bo has come under over the past couple years. I guess it seemed like a bad idea because it was indeed a bad idea.

2023 Season Countdown: #114 Joel Metzger

 

Joel Metzger (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Joel Metzger
Height: 6’1"
Weight: 218 lbs.
High school: Battle Creek (MI) Lakeview
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #54
Last year: I did not rank Metzger. He did not play in any games.
TTB Rating: N/A

Metzger is a student body walk-on who joined the team in 2022. He made enough of an impact on special teams in practice to be named the team's Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Year, so that's something. This is not meant to be an insult, but watching his film can make you realize that effort and toughness can go a long way. He's not the biggest or fastest guy - and he has certainly grown since high school - but he must be doing some impressive things in practice to earn the aforementioned honor.

Maybe special teams on Saturdays is in the cards for this fall, but maybe not. I don't foresee him factoring into the linebacker rotation anytime soon, but if he can play on coverage units, good for him.

Prediction: Backup linebacker and special teamer

2023 Season Countdown: #115 Josh Beetham

 

Josh Beetham (#40, image via Twitter)

Name: Josh Beetham
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 242 lbs.
High school: Yorkville (IL) Yorkville
Position: Tight end
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #40
Last year: I ranked Beetham #115 and said he would be a backup tight end (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: N/A

Beetham, a former high school quarterback, played in one game last season. It seems like walk-ons had a choice last year: either play against Hawaii or UConn. Beetham went with Hawaii, and that was that. Of course, Michigan had a glut of tight ends, and even some scholarship guys didn't get much run, so it makes sense that Beetham didn't play much.

The 2023 season likely won't see much of a change for Beetham. While he has added three pounds to his frame, Michigan brought in transfer A.J. Barner, who will probably be a co-starter with Colston Loveland. Meanwhile, Matt Hibner and Max Bredeson should both play quite a bit, with some other young up-and-comers also battling for playing time. Beetham will probably just play in one or two games again this season.

Prediction: Backup tight end

2025 Recruiting: May 19, 2023

 

Greensboro (NC) Grimsley defensive end Bryce Davis

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2025

Wallingford (CT) Choate Rosemary Hall offensive tackle Will Black (unranked) was offered by Michigan. Miami, Penn State, and Pitt have also offered.

Savannah (GA) Christian tight end Logan Brooking (unranked) was offered by Michigan. Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Wisconsin are some of his other offers. He's the son of former Georgia Tech linebacker Keith Brooking, who would go on to be the #12 overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons.

Greensboro (NC) Grimsley defensive end Bryce Davis (4-star, #7 edge, #53 overall) was offered by Michigan. He's 6'4" and 230 lbs. with offers from Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Notre Dame, Penn State, Tennessee, and others.

Hit the jump for more.

2023 Season Countdown: #116 Evan Link

 

Evan Link

Name: Evan Link
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 305 lbs.
High school: Washington (DC) Gonzaga
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Link was a senior in high school (LINK).
TTB Rating: 72

Link committed to Michigan on August 1, 2022, and signed with the Wolverines in December. His recruiting profiles listed him at about 290 pounds, although MGoBlue's website puts him at 305. Anyway, usually those listings are overshot - just look at all the sophomores and redshirt freshmen who lose an inch and a chunk of weight between years one and two - and it takes a couple years for linemen to develop their bodies.

Link also seems to have very few highlights of pass protection, which probably means he either played in a run-heavy offense . . . or he just doesn't have much good to show off in pass pro. While I'm not questioning his athleticism - he's a pretty good athlete - pass protection issues can get people hurt. Furthermore, Michigan has a ton of depth on the offensive line and shouldn't need true freshmen to play.

Prediction: Redshirt

2023 Season Countdown: #117 Henry Donohue

 

Henry Donohue (image via Twitter)

Name: Henry Donohue
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 202 lbs.
High school: Bronxville (NY) Bronxville
Position: Running back
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #49
Last year: I did not rank Donohue. He had 2 carries for 6 yards while playing in one game.
TTB Rating: N/A

Donohue appeared on the scene in 2022 after being a student body walk-on. As a high school senior in the class of 2021, he averaged over 12.0 yards per carry while playing a bit of running back and wildcat QB. He also had 943 rushing yards and scored 14 touchdowns. The first clip you see below is of him throwing a peace sign at a defender on a touchdown run, which is funny to me for various reasons.

But anyhow, he's now a walk-on at Michigan who managed to get a couple carries in last year's blowout of UConn. I would expect roughly the same situation in 2023, as he's now likely behind the same people as last season, plus Benjamin Hall and Cole Cabana. Maybe - hopefully - we'll see him in some mop-up duty in 2023.

Prediction: Backup running back and special teamer

2024 Recruiting Update: May 15, 2023

 

Orlando (FL) Edgewater CB Cai Bates (image via Twitter)

COMMITMENT

Pittsburgh (PA) Central Catholic linebacker Cole Sullivan committed to Michigan (LINK).

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2024

Orlando (FL) Edgewater cornerback Cai Bates was offered by Michigan. He's a 6'1", 180 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida, LSU, Ohio State, and Penn State, among others. He's a 4-star, the #18 cornerback, and #223 overall. As a junior in 2022, he made 7 pass breakups and 4 interceptions, including 3 in one game. The last Michigan player signed from Edgewater was wide receiver Greg Mathews in the class of 2006.

CRYSTAL BALL UPDATES

The following 2024 recruits have received 247 Sports crystal balls in favor of Michigan over the last week:

• Belleville (MI) Belleville linebacker Jeremiah Beasley (4-star, #25 LB, #265 overall) from Sam Webb
• Ijamsville (MD) Oakdale defensive end Dominic Nichols (4-star, #31 edge, #423 overall) from Steve Lorenz
• Chicago (IL) Kenwood wide receiver I'Marion Stewart (4-star, #26 ATH, #315 overall) from Allen Trieu

2023 Season Countdown: #118 Christian Bartholomew

 

Christian Bartholomew (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Christian Bartholomew
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 187 lbs.
High school: Galesburg (MI) Kalamazoo United
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #27
Last year: I ranked Bartholomew #108 and and said he would be a backup wide receiver (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: N/A

After redshirting in 2020, Bartholomew has played in one game in each of the past two seasons. Michigan often seems to have a walk-on receiver ascend to the fringe of playing time , and a few years ago, Bartholomew would have been my pick. But with the recruitment of the bigger, perhaps more skilled Peyton O'Leary, Bartholomew seems less likely to get there. For now it seems like Bartholomew is going to be a backup who might get a chance on special teams or in blowouts.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver and special teamer

Cole Sullivan, Wolverine

 

Cole Sullivan (image via Twitter)

Pittsburgh (PA) Central Catholic linebacker Cole Sullivan committed to Michigan on Friday night. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Miami, Notre Dame, Penn State, West Virginia, and others.

Sullivan is listed at 6'3" and 200 lbs. As a junior in 2022, Sullivan made 117 tackles and 2 sacks.

RANKINGS
ESPN: Unranked
On3: 3-star, 89 grade, #37 LB
Rivals: 3-star, 5.7 grade, #34 OLB
247 Sports: 3-star, 87 grade, #57 LB

Hit the jump for more.

2025 Recruiting Update: May 12, 2023

 

Leesburg (GA) Lee County RB Ousmane Kromah (image via Hudl)

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2025

Lexington (KY) Frederick Douglass wide receiver Aveion Chenault (247 Sports 3-star, #56 WR) was offered by Michigan. Illinois, Kentucky, and West Virginia have also offered.

Norfolk (VA) Maury safety Kendall Daniels, Jr. (4-star, #13 S, #192 overall) was offered by Michigan. He also has offers from Florida, Maryland, Notre Dame, Penn State, and others.

The Woodlands (TX) The Woodlands wide receiver Quanell Farrakhan, Jr. (4-star, #25 WR, #181 overall) was offered by Michigan. At 6'0" and 170 lbs., he has offers from Florida State, Georgia, Penn State, TCU, and Tennessee, among others.

Hit the jump for more.

2023 Season Countdown: #119 Joey Klunder

 

Joey Klunder (image via Twitter)

Name: Joey Klunder
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 253 lbs.
High school: Grosse Pointe (MI) South
Position: Defensive end
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #93
Last year: I ranked Klunder #130 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He redshirted.
TTB Rating: N/A

Klunder had some military academy and FCS offers coming out of high school, but he decided to become a preferred walk-on at Michigan. After being listed at 6'4" and 230 pounds as a freshman, he's now down to 6'3" . . . and up to 253. While MGoBlue.com's website lists him as an EDGE, Klunder's own Twitter profile says he's a "DT."

I don't know where Klunder will end up, and it appears I'm not alone. But either way, 253 pounds is probably too light to play defensive tackle . . . and he's not quick enough to be an edge pass rusher . . . and he's probably still too light to play a 5-tech defensive end role. So for now, I think it will be another year watching from the sideline for Klunder.

Prediction: Backup defensive end 

2023 Season Countdown: #120 Brooks Bahr

 

Brooks Bahr (image via Chicago Sun-Times)

Name: Brooks Bahr
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 280 lbs.
High school: Lake Forest (IL) Loyola
Position: Defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Bahr was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 49 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks.
TTB Rating: 71

Bahr committed to Michigan over a year ago, back in March of 2022. A tall and relatively lanky defensive lineman, he seems to be headed for somewhere along the defensive line. Whether Michigan decides to use him on the edge like Mike Morris or as more of an interior guy might depend on how his body progresses. Usually, it seems like guys with his body type usually end up hanging out between the 290-300 lb. range. Morris was an odd fit at stand-up defensive end at 292-295 pounds, and Julius Welschof could barely get on the field except on special teams - and Bahr doesn't have that kind of athleticism.

So I expect to see Bahr redshirt this season as Michigan figures out what to do with him and as Bahr's body figures out how it wants to grow. He also has some technical things to figure out, as he played lacrosse and basketball in addition to football.

Prediction: Redshirt

Channing Goodwin, Wolverine

 

Channing Goodwin

Charlotte (NC) Providence Day wide receiver Channing Goodwin committed to Michigan on Sunday. He picked the Wolverines over offers from North Carolina, North Carolina State, Pitt, and South Carolina, among others.

Goodwin is listed at 6'1" and 180 lbs.

RANKINGS
ESPN: 3-star, 78 grade, #67 WR
On3: 3-star, 87 grade, #136 WR
Rivals: 3-star, 5.7 grade, #94 WR
247 Sports: 4-star, 90 grade, #38 WR, #241 overall

Hit the jump for more.

2024 Recruiting Update: May 8, 2023

 

Charlotte (NC) Providence Day wide receiver Channing Goodwin (image via Twitter)

COMMITMENTS

Charlotte (NC) Providence Day wide receiver Channing Goodwin committed to Michigan (LINK).

Michigan got a commitment from Mississippi State walk-on transfer Hudson Hollenbeck (LINK).

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2024

Upper Marlboro (MD) Charles Herbert Flowers cornerback Lloyd Irvin III was offered by Michigan. He's a 6'3", 175 lb. prospect with offers from Maryland, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and others.

OFF THE BOARD

Charlotte (NC) Christian wide receiver Micah Gilbert (4-star, #38 WR, #260 overall) committed to Notre Dame.

Atlanta (GA) Woodward Academy wide receiver Ben Grice committed to Wake Forest. Michigan just offered him last week.

Springfield (MO) Glendale defensive end Kellen Lindstrom (4-star, #27 DL, #228 overall) committed to Tennessee.

Tampa (FL) Carrollwood Day wide receiver Izaiah Williams (4-star, #48 WR, #325 overall) committed to Florida. 

2023 Season Countdown: #121 Chibi Anwunah

 

Chibi Anwunah (#95, image via Twitter)

Name: Chibi Anwunah
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 242 lbs.
High school: Canton (MI) Plymouth Christian
Position: Tight end
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #95
Last year: I ranked Anwunah #131 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He redshirted.
TTB Rating: N/A

Anwunah came into Michigan last season listed at 6'7" and 220 lbs. I said he needed to add weight, and lo and behold, he got shorter by two inches . . . and put on 22 pounds. He redshirted last season at defensive end, which was expected because of some rawness. I was surprised to see this spring that he had switched to tight end on the roster, but now he's back to being listed as an "EDGE" on MGoBlue.com, so perhaps the offensive experiment is finished.

Whether he stays on defense or gets another shot on offense, it will likely be another year of watching from the sideline for Anwunah. He has size and potential, but again, he was raw, and playing a little positional ping-pong this spring probably didn't help him get any closer to seeing the field.

Prediction: Backup defensive end

2023 Season Countdown: #122 Brandon Mann

 

Brandon Mann (image via Twitter)

Name: Brandon Mann
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 225 lbs.
High school: Detroit (MI) Country Day
Position: Quarterback
Class: Redshirt freshma
Jersey number: #5
Last year: I did not rank Mann. He played in one game and completed 1/1 pass for 7 yards.
TTB Rating: N/A

Mann, a walk-on who doubles as a pitcher on the baseball team, surprisingly got a couple snaps in during the blowout of UConn in 2022, and he even completed his one pass to Darrius Clemons for a 7-yard gain. Of course, it was a 59-0 win and seven (7!!!) quarterbacks completed passes for Michigan, including three walk-ons altogether (Mann, Andy Maddox, Davis Warren).

The depth chart won't be any more friendly in 2023. Even though Cade McNamara transferred to Iowa, Michigan brought in Indiana backup Jack Tuttle and got a year of development from Alex Orji and Jayden Denegal. Mann will likely just be a practice squad player yet again with a chance to get some mop-up duty in a game or two.

Prediction: Backup quarterback

2025 Recruiting Update: May 5, 2023

 

Miami (FL) Central defensive lineman Armondo Blount (image via Scorebook Live)

This is what I get for not posting a 2025 recruiting update in two weeks (I was consumed by the NFL draft), so now there are 20+ players in the class who have been offered since then. As such, some of these will be very brief.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2025

Baltimore (MD) City College wide receiver Vernon Allen III (247 Sports 3-star, #47 WR) was offered by Michigan. Many of these offers came during Michigan's swing along the east coast during the team's spring trip.

Miami (FL) Central defensive tackle Armondo Blount (5-star, #2 DL, #5 overall) was offered by Michigan. He's 6'3" and 250 lbs. with offers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, and lots of others.

Pittsburgh (PA) Imani Christian linebacker Dayshaun Burnett (4-star, #25 LB, #234 overall) was offered by Michigan.

Hit the jump for more.

Hudson Hollenbeck, Wolverine

 

Hudson Hollenbeck (image via Opendorse)

Kicker/punter Hudson Hollenbeck committed to Michigan on social media. He was a class of 2022 walk-on at Mississippi State but did not see the field last season.

I usually don't do commitment posts for walk-ons, but this seems slightly different, since Hollenbeck is joining the team from another FBS program. (Reasons for the transfer are unclear at this point, but it's important to remember that Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach died unexpectedly, so the program is going through a change this off-season.)

It’s a blessing to wear the historic Maize and Blue!! Let’s get to work @UMichFootball and GO BLUE!! Special thanks to @JayHarbaugh and @JTBrown721 for believing in me and presenting me with this amazing opportunity!! I am COMMITTED to the University of Michigan!!!! pic.twitter.com/HMpstRMBQg

— Hudson Hollenbeck (@hollenbeck_h6) May 4, 2023

Hollenbeck is listed at 6'3" and 195 lbs. on the Bulldogs' roster. He was a 5-star and the #7 punter in the class of 2022, according to Kohl's Kicking, and he was a 4.5-star kicker. He enters the program with four years of eligibility remaining.

Michigan's kicking situation is in flux, because both specialists (kicker Jake Moody and punter Brad Robbins) were drafted in last weekend's NFL Draft. The Wolverines recently got a commitment from Louisville kicker James Turner, but he has just one season remaining. Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore Tommy Doman and true freshman kicker Adam Samaha will both be on scholarship this fall. Doman has punted once for 41 yards and had 8 kickoffs (with 6 touchbacks) in his career so far.

I would suspect that Hollenbeck will compete for playing time with Doman on punts but may be more of a factor on kickoffs, which might prevent Doman from having to pull double duty.

Hollenbeck is originally from Collierville (TN) Collierville.

Here are Hudson Hollenbeck's Hudl highlights (say that five times fast):

2023 Season Countdown: #123 Joshua Luther

 

Joshua Luther

Name: Joshua Luther
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 180 lbs.
High school: Clarkston (MI) Clarkston
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt senior
Jersey number: #44
Last year: I ranked Luther #118 and said he would be a backup defensive back (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: N/A

It's always interesting to me to see how players progress in the countdown from year to year, and through no fault of his own, Luther is on a downward slide. He appeared in 2021 at #117, dropped to #118, and now appears at #123. There's no real explanation other than the fact that Michigan brought in several scholarship-worthy transfer players, and the team now has a deeper talent well than they used to have.

At 5'9" and 180 lbs., it's hard to get on the field in the Big Ten unless you're a dynamic athlete, and I think we can safely say that Luther is not particularly dynamic. But maybe he can make an occasional appearance on special teams.

Prediction: Backup defensive back