Michigan football is turning its attention to the 2022 recruiting class and here are 15 defenders who should be on the wish list.
There’s no question that Michigan football is putting together a really solid recruiting class in 2021 and it’s an effort that’s gone well particularly in the past two months.
Before the dead period in March, Michigan football had just two commitments for its 2021 class and it had zero on defense. Since then, 17 players have committed to the Wolverines, including 10 on the defensive side of the ball.
It took a little while, but the Wolverines eventually started landing the kind of blue-chip talent they are accustomed to on defense led by Junior Colson, who is 116th overall according to the 247 composite rankings and the third-ranked player overall in Michigan’s class.
Days after Colson committed, another four-star linebacker Jaydon Hood did as well. The prospect that reminds many of former Michigan football standout Devin Bush Jr., is No. 297 overall, which is 14 spots higher than Bush was in high school. Quintin Somerville, the latest commitment on defense, is No. 150 in the composite, while four-star defensive end Kechaun Bennett is No. 331.
Rod Moore and Tyler McLaurin, are also ranked in the top 500 and are high-ranking three-star prospects who should be solid contributors as well, and even going beyond that, there are things to like about each commit in this defensive class.
All in all, it’s a pretty balanced group. Yet, the Wolverines haven’t landed an elite edge rusher or cornerback, which will be among the focuses looking ahead to 2022. And with that in mind, here are 15 guys on the defensive wish list for the 2022 class out of 167 offers total.
DE/edge
Enai White, four-star defensive end
One thing Michigan hasn’t done in 2021 is get an elite pass rusher. There is still some outside hope for Dallas Turner, but it’s more likely that need will be met in 2022 and Enai White out of Philadelphia would be the perfect fit.
He’s 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, and ranked 8th overall in the 247 rankings. He also told Rivals ($) recently he wants to visit Michigan. He draws comparisons to Jason Pierre-Paul and with all the edge defenders U-M has turned out, the Wolverines have a nice sales pitch.
Wilfredo Aybar, four-star defensive end
Over the years, Michigan football has done really well recruiting in the Northeast, especially since Don Brown came on board. So with Wilfredo Aybar, the 27th-ranked player in the 247 rankings coming from Connecticut, you’d think U-M would be right in the mix.
Aybar is 6-foot-3, 220 pounds and is getting interest from a number of other Big Ten and SEC schools. Brown is the point man here for Michigan but Ohio State looks like it will be in the mix.
Derrick Moore, four-star defensive end
The 46th-ranked prospect in the country, Derrick Moore is from St. Frances, Maryland, a program Michigan football fans should know well. He’s 6-foot-4, 245 pounds and one of the top-ranked strongside ends in the country. While White is doable, thanks to ties to their regions and their programs, both Moore and Aybar seem more realistic, but they are still top-50 guys.
Defensive tackles
Bear Alexander, four-star defensive tackle
Another missing piece so far in the 2021 class, is a 300-pound defensive tackle. Michigan has gotten some quality prospects such as Chris Hinton, Mazi Smith and this year, possibly Rayshaun Benny. But Bear Alexander is a different kind of dude.
He’s ranked 244th by 247 sports but at 6-foot4, 333 pounds, he’s exactly the kind of nose tackle the Wolverines need. And after he was offered, he said some really positive things to The Michigan Insider ($).
"“They definitely stand high on my list, They’re in a good place and they got a chance to be real special. (I plan on visiting Michigan) this summer,” Alexander said. “(I’m looking on) just building relationships with the staff, knowing everything about the academic program, and how prepped I will be for when the air is out of the football.”"
Nasir Pierce, four-star defensive tackle
Having good relationships with big-time high school programs can pay off and the Wolverines hope it does again at St. Frances here with Nasir Pierce. At 6-foot-3, 275 pounds, he’s another guy who is really good against the run but has some pass-rush ability too.
Some SEC teams are in the mix and Maryland is too, but the Wolverines should be right there for the No. 151 overall recruit in 2021, as well as the sixth-ranked defensive tackle.
Alex VanSumeren, 4-star defensive tackle
The 6-foot-3, 270-pound athlete has already pledged to play defensive tackle for the Wolverines. His brother is also a Michigan football player. Alex VanSumeren recently scored an offer from Alabama so hopefully, U-M can hold onto the 193rd overall player.
Linebackers
Shawn Murphy, 4-star LB
If you are going to have a wish list, it might as well include the No. 1 inside linebacker and the No. 3 overall player in the country, which is Shawn Murphy out of Virginia. All the big names are going to be in on this one, but he does hold a Michigan offer.
Joshua Burnham, 4-star LB
The state of Michigan had a lot of talent in the 2021 class and 2022 isn’t looking bad either. One of the top in-state prospects is outside linebacker Joshua Burnham out of Traverse City. He’s 6-foot-3, 205 pounds and offers a lot of versatility in terms of playing different linebacker spots. He grew up as a Michigan fan and the Wolverines own all five of his crystal ball projections, each with a confidence rating of six or higher.
Michael Williams, 4-star LB
Another player Michigan should have a good shot at landing is Michael Williams, another talented recruit out of West Bloomfield. He’s ranked 220th overall by 247 sports and 18th among outside linebackers. He’s someone you could see playing the will or sam positions. The possibility of Williams and Burnham is real.
Gabe Powers, 4-star LB
Another player to watch at outside linebacker for Michigan football in 2022 is Gabe Powers. He’s ranked 43rd overall in the class and is 6-foot-4, 220 pounds already. Ohio State has been pushing for him, as has Notre Dame, along with plenty of others. The Buckeyes own all of his crystal ball picks, so it would take a lot of work.
Cornerback
Domani Jackson, 4-star CB
The Wolverines have only gotten one cornerback commitment so far in 2021 and may end up with just two three-stars prospects at the position. In 2022, Michigan football should be in the mix for the best of the best at corner, starting with Mater Dei’s Domani Jackson.
Jackson has called Michigan his “dream” school in the past and his teammate, Christian Dixon just committed. He’s also close with Darion Green-Warren a DB in the 2020 class. Both Jackson and his father also have a lot of respect for cornerbacks coach Mike Zordich as Sam Webb of The Michigan Insider ($) details. 247 sports has a crystal ball in for USC, but U-M will be in this one.
William Johnson, 4-star CB
Over the past few cycles, the Wolverines have done well in the state of Michigan. But they didn’t get the top player in the state in 2020 and likely won’t in 2021 either. In 2022, the staff hopes to change that with Will Johnson, the 16th-ranked player in 2022 according to 247 sports and the No. 4 cornerback.
Johnson has 24 offers already but his dad, Deon Johnson played for the Wolverines. Ohio State is making progress with him early ($), but the 6-foot-1 defensive back is rightfully on the wish list and Michigan again, won’t go down without a fight.
Jaeden Gould, 4-star CB
One corner to feel really good about as a Michigan football fan is four-star Jaeden Gould out of New Jersey. Gould is a Bergen Catholic kid and the Wolverines have landed a few from there including Jordan Morant in 2020.
Gould is a top-100 recruit overall and at 6-foot-2, he’s going to get plenty of attention. He was just offered by USC and they appear to be a contender, while Rutgers, under Greg Schiano, also can’t be overlooked anymore in New Jersey.
Safety
Kamari Wilson, 4-star S
Another place where Michigan has done well in recent years is the IMG Academy in Florida. Greg Crippen is playing there and five-star quarterback J.J. McCarthy, another Wolverines commit, just transferred there too. McCarthy is a vocal supporter and recruiter and his presence could make a slight impact with some of those guys. On defense, one to watch is four-star safety, Kamari Wilson.
Wilson is from Florida but will be playing at IMG for the first time in 2022. He’s ranked 34th overall in the class and has all the major SEC schools all over him. But Bob Shoop has been recruiting him and maybe U-M can work its way into the mix.
Myles Rowser, 4-star S
Another safety target to watch is one who was already committed to Michigan football a few months ago and that’s Myles Rowser, a four-star safety and brother of Andre Seldon, a 2020 commit.
Rowser is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound defensive back and he’s ranked 138th overall. Michigan mentioned using him as a corner and safety. He de-committed in May but said he was still interested in U-M.
It sounded like he wanted to hear from some other programs, but with his brother already being a Wolverine, Michigan shouldn’t be counted out.