Michigan Football: New QB target emerging in 2022 recruiting class

Michigan football is off to a strong start in the 2022 recruiting class and here’s a new quarterback target to keep an eye on.

As the 2021 recruiting cycle starts to wind down, Michigan football is putting a greater focus on the 2022 class and so far, things have gone pretty well for the Wolverines.

While Michigan still has just one commitment in the 2022 class, which is defensive tackle/athlete Alex VanSumeren, the Wolverines are in a strong position with these priority targets.

However, one position that Michigan still seems to be figuring out is quarterback.

In 2021, the Wolverines were able to land J.J. McCarthy very early in the process. In fact, he committed in May, so Michigan football is already behind where it was with QB recruiting in terms of where it was a year ago.

U-M has been talking with a number of quarterback prospects and has extended nine offers already, but after an early flirtation with Nicco Marchiol, who at one time had Michigan projections, it’s back to the drawing board. Marchiol is now an FSU lean.

EJ Holland of Rival reported ($) recently that Michigan football is still pushing hard for Quinn Ewers, the No. 1 quarterback in the 247 sports composite rankings and No. 1 overall prospect.

Interestingly enough, Holland noted some interest from Ewers in visiting the Wolverines, but the five-star recruit has all of his crystal ball projections going to Oklahoma, so this is a long shot.

Another 2022 quarterback Michigan football has been heavily involved with is Ty Simpson, the No. 3 dual-threat option in the 2022 class. However, Simpson is from Tennessee, and as the 50th overall prospect, he’s being pursued hard by SEC schools, which will make him a tough pull.

MJ Morris and Maalik Murphy are quarterbacks who have been connected to U-M and are likely high on the board. But another name that’s emerging is Gavin Wimsatt, a dual-threat quarterback from Owensboro, Kentucky.

As I’ve said, I’d love for Michigan to add a dual-threat quarterback. Just look at all the dual-threat guys at Ohio State, who have just destroyed the Wolverines over the years. It’d be nice to have someone capable of beating teams with their arm and their legs.

Wimsatt, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound quarterback could be exactly that guy. He’s ranked as the No. 6 dual-threat QB in the 247 composite rankings, as well as 110th overall. But in 247’s own rankings, he’s the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback and the 37th-best overall.

Last season, he threw for over 2,700 yards and 31 touchdowns, while also rushing for over 500 yards. And while Michigan hasn’t offered him yet, according to the Michigan Insider ($), there has been contact throughout the dead period. Here’s what Wimsatt said to TMI:

“Yes, I’ve had a little contact. (I’ve been talking to) Coach (Ben) McDaniels. We’ve just been talking about everything going on and just football.”

Kentucky, the in-state school is among the early contenders. Nebraska and TCU are among some others in the mix, but a Michigan offer could change things up. And with the relative uncertainty for Michigan with QB recruiting in 2022, an offer doesn’t seem like a bad idea.