Michigan football is starting to shift its focus to the 2022 recruiting class and here’s a wish list on offense for the Wolverines.
When it comes to the 2022 recruiting class, Michigan football is becoming more and more active. The Wolverines have one commitment right now, but before long, that number could grow.
At one point, Michigan football did have two players committed in 2022, one of those, Alex VanSumeren, is one of the top defensive tackles in the country and a top-200 talent, while the other, defensive back Myles Rowser, de-committed, but is still interested in U-M, especially with his brother Andre Seldon being an incoming freshman.
Over the last few months, the Wolverines have been on a tear in 2021 recruiting, landing 17 commitments since March, including an impressive eight four-star commitments, with two coming in the last week from receiver Christian Dixon and defensive end Quintin Somerville.
Yet, with the spots dwindling in 2021 and most targets set to decide fairly soon, the Wolverines have started shifting their priorities towards the 2022 class and in that effort, Michigan football has already extended 167 offers.
While we have looked at some of those targets and have touched on 2022 recruiting, it seemed like a good time to take a deeper look at the class and evaluate some of the prospects Michigan is and will be pushing for the hardest.
No class ends up being ideal. But if the Wolverines could have their choice of the 2022 recruiting class, here’s a look at what the wish list would look like, starting with the offense.
Quarterback
Michigan has five-star quarterback J.J. McCarthy committed in 2021, as well as three other four-star players on the roster right now. But with so much change from one year to the next, it’s always a good idea to keep the position stockpiled. Here are key targets to watch at QB in 2022.
MJ Morris, 4-star QB
The Wolverines have already offered 12 quarterbacks in the 2022 class and one of them is dual-threat MJ Morris, a four-star out of Georiga who ranks 41st overall via 247 sports. Obviously, SEC schools are going to be all over him, but Michigan has done a favorable job so far and 2021 wideout Jayden Thomas said Morris could accompany him on a visit this fall to Ann Arbor.
Morris throws the ball well and would add that element of running that Michigan hasn’t really had under Jim Harbaugh. Landing him will be tough, but he deserves a spot on the wish list.
Maalik Murphy, 4-star QB
One of the most talented, polished passers in the 2022 class is California four-star quarterback Maalik Murphy. The 44th-overall prospect according to 247 sports, has an elite arm and he’s already 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds. His scouting profile compares him to Jameis Winston and his arm strength backs up that comparison.
He doesn’t run extremely well, but moves well in the pocket and can make all the throws. He’d be much more in the mold of McCarthy or Milton than say Dylan McCaffrey, yet his arm talent would have Michigan fans drooling, just as they are now over Milton. Murphy, like Morris, also plans to visit.
Running back
Michigan is hoping to land Donovan Edwards, one of the top running back in the 2021 class, but either way, the Wolverines are going to need multiple RBs in 2022 and the candidates are impressive.
Raleek Brown, 5-star RB
Earlier this week, Michigan landed a commitment from Mater Dei widout Christian Dixon and in the 2022 cycle, the Wolverines would love for the same thing to happen with Raleek Brown, a five-star recruit and No. 1 running back in 2022 according to 247 sports.
Brown is listed at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds but he’s simply dynamic. He can play in the backfield, the slot and can do it all.
“I see myself playing everything,” Brown told Rivals in March. “I just need to get the ball in space. I feel like I can play slot, outside and running back. I’m looking for a school that uses me like that. Coach Jay (Harbaugh) has told me they want to use me that way.”
Brown, who has a bunch of crystal ball picks for Oklahoma, said he plans to visit Ann Arbor.
Emmanuel Henderson, 4-star RB
Another elite back makes the wish list for Michigan football and that’s Emmanuel Henderson out of Georgia. He’s ranked just below Brown at 21st overall in the 2021 class and just like Brown, he told 247 ($) sports he’d like to visit Ann Arbor this fall.
Of course, with Henderson being deep in the heart of SEC territory, landing him is going to take quite the effort, but it sounds like he’s in contact with Michigan as much as anyone else and that’s all the Wolverines can do right now.
Dillon Tatum, 4-star RB
Just like Edwards, Dillon Tatum is out of West Bloomfield, Michigan and for the second straight recruiting cycle, the Wolverines will have one of the top running backs right in their backyard.
Michigan was one of the first schools to offer Tatum and the 5-foot-11,190-pound back seems to have a strong interest. He already has 30 offers. Tatum is ranked 190th overall in the 2022 class and the No. 21 running back, but don’t be shocked if climbs up the rankings, which is why he’s listed here too.
Wide receiver
Depending on how many wide receivers Michigan adds in 2021, this could be a key position for the Wolverines. Either way, it seems that U-M is intent on adding elite talent.
Tyler Morris, 4-star WR
One wide receiver Michigan football has made a priority is four-star Tyler Morris out of Illinois. He’s ranked 56th overall in 2022 and already has a crystal ball pick for the Wolverines and Notre Dame. The Irish did seem to be in the lead at one time, but the former teammate of J.J. McCarthy seems to be leaning more Michigan now according to EJ Holland of Rivals ($).
Kaleb Brown, 4-star WR
Another playmaker from the Chicago area is Kaleb Brown, who is ranked by the 247 sports composite as the fifth-best receiver and 35th player overall. Brown is 5-foot-11 and fits more the mold of A.J. Henning. He can run the ball, he’s outstanding in the slot and would be a terror for opposing defenses. Brown has a Michigan crystal ball already and Holland is leaning towards a U-M prediction too.
C.J. Williams, 4-star WR
Earlier this week, Michigan landed a receiver from Mater Dei and the Wolverines are hoping to host another highly-ranked receiver from the school, in 2022’s C.J. Williams. Williams offers a little more size and alongside Morris and Brown, he’d be lethal. He also wants to visit, at least he did prior to the pandemic.
Caleb Burton, 4-star WR
As I said, Michigan football really seems to be recruiting big-time wideouts in 2022 and is off to a solid start with a few. One of those is four-star receiver Caleb Burton, out of De Valle, Texas. The Wolverines officially got into the mix in May with an offer and soon after Burton told The Michigan Insider he hoped to visit ($).
"“I’ve always been interested in Michigan,” Burton said. “They were in my top 15 before I even had the offer. I love the way they play and the wide receiver success they have every year. I’m excited to see all the facilities and most of all how the coaches and players get along.”"
Burton, who is ranked 37th overall in 2022 and sixth among receivers, mentioned Michigan football, as well as Stanford, Ohio State, Clemson, LSU, Alabama, Georgia and Oklahoma as contenders.
Tight end
The Wolverines landed a top tight end in 2021 in four-star Louis Hansen. But they missed out on elite targets in 2020 and appears they will miss out on Thomas Fidone too. Here’s a look at 2022.
Donovan Green, 4-star TE
It’s probably not a huge shock that the No. 1 tight end in the country according to 247 sports, Donovan Green, made the wish list. He was offered by Michigan football back in February and is listed as the 112th best player in the 2022 class. He caught 34 passes as a high school sophomore at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds but actually getting him might be a long shot.
Marlin Klein, unranked TE
The Wolverines have always done a good job of evaluating recruits under Jim Harbaugh and Matthew Hibner in 2020 was a prime example. He was low-ranking three-star when the Wolverines landed his commitment. He would later rise more than 1,000 spots.
In 2022, a tight end to watch like that is Marlin Klein. The 6-foot-6 prospect from Germany isn’t ranked by 247 sports yet, but he’s playing high school ball in Georgia and was offered by Michigan back in April. Sherrone Moore is building a strong rapport ($) with him and at some point, the Wolverines will be glad they invested as early as they did.
Offensive line
Michigan has done really well in 2021 with four commitments already and three of them being at least four-star caliber players. Yet, the Wolverines missed on some high ranking tackles, which could be a focus in 2022.
Tyler Booker, four-star OT
Flat out, Tyler Booker is one of the best players in the 2022 class. The 6-foot-4, 290-pound offensive tackle from IMG Academy is interested in Michigan. He has an offer and told 247 sports ($) he hopes to visit this fall. The Wolverines were one of the first schools to offer Booker and since he will be protecting J.J. McCarthy this fall, maybe he will again in the future.
Julian Armella, four-star OT
Another big guy to watch on the offensive line is 6-foot-6 tackle Julian Armella out of Miami, Florida. He recently released his top 10 and included Michigan football.
“No doubt, I still have a lot of interest in Michigan,” Armella told Rivals earlier in June. “They have always been a school that I’ve watched as a kid on TV.”
Armella is ranked 127th overall and 14th among offensive tackles. He’s also 300 pounds already, at least according to his 247 profile and does have a crystal ball projection to FSU but it’s early.
P.J. Williams, 4-star OT
Another player with a lot of promise is P.J. Williams, a four-star offensive tackle out of Texas. He’s 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds and has offers from LSU, Auburn, Penn State and others. The top-150 prospect also is hearing a lot from Michigan ($).
“I had a regular call with Coach Harbaugh and Coach Moore about a month ago and it went well,” Williams told The Michigan Insider. “They told me that I will be a big asset to the team and I will fit in well.”
Williams is the 108th player overall in the 2022 class and the No. 11 offensive tackle, as well as the 18th-best player in the state of Texas.
Carson Hinzman, 4-star OG
While Michigan football has done most of its work on the 2022 class at offensive tackle, although offensive line positions can be fluid, especially this early, a notable interior offer went out to 4-star guard Carson Hinzman in April.
He’s ranked 81st overall in 2022 and the No. 2 guard. He’s also from Wisconsin and that’s where his only crystal ball pick is with right now. However, offers from LSU and Alabama could change things. Northwestern and Iowa have been in the mix too.
Stay tuned for GBMWolverine’s 2022 defensive wish list