Michigan Football: QB recruiting update for Wovlerines in 2022 and 2023

Michigan football continued its push for 2022 quarterback Maalik Murphy, as the Wolverines contacted him this week. Plus a look to 2023.

As far as the 2022 recruiting class is concerned, Michigan football is after a number of different quarterbacks, with a slew of different offers going out.

However, one player that’s continually stood out is five-star prospect Maalik Murphy, who ranks 30th overall in the 247 composite rankings for 2022 and is second among pro-style quarterbacks.

Murphy, along with MJ Morris might be the top guys on the board for Michigan football at quarterback right now and according to Brice Marich of the Michigan Insider ($), Murphy and the staff spoke this week.

Murphy made our offensive wish-list for the Wolverines in 2022 and if you watch him throw the football, you will understand why. He’s not necessarily a mobile quarterback but he can make all the throws and his arm strength reminds you of Jameis Winston.

Here’s what Murphy told Brian Dohn of 247 sports ($) about his recruitment recently and Michigan specifically.

"“I really like Michigan a lot. I like coach Harbaugh and the tradition at Michigan. They have a history of developing quarterbacks and I like the system they run. They run a pro-style system and that’s how I see myself and I think it’s a place I could fit in really well at.  Michigan is a school I for sure want to get out to.”"

That all sounds promising and as we all know, landing a top-notch quarterback is the key to any good recruiting class.

Michigan’s top QB target in 2023?

Obviously, there are other targets Michigan is after in 2022 at quarterback, but the Wolverines have also turned their attention to 2023 already and one guy to take note of is Pop Watson.

He’s an interesting athlete and he was scouted by EJ Holland of Rivals recently ($) at a camp in Delaware. And here part of his evaluation:

"“Michigan is already recruiting him hard, and he definitely flashed today. Watson is on the shorter side, but he can launch it. Watson has above average arm strength for his age and impressed with some deep balls at the end of the camp.”"

Holland noted that Watson was inconsistent. However, this also wasn’t a situation where he was allowed to run and even though he’s listed at 5-foot-10, he’s got tons of ability.

It will be interesting to see if he grows, but even if he doesn’t, shorter quarterbacks have proven they can be successful as long as they have the arm to do it. And some like Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson have dominated with the combination of both.

At any rate, the Springfield, Massachusetts prospect is one to watch. Michigan has had tons of success in New England and we’ll see if that leads to them getting Watson.