Michigan Football: Wolverines on the rise with elite recruits

Michigan football has momentum on the recruiting trail right now and it’s continuing with elite prospects in 2022 and 2023. 

The Michigan football program has been recruiting at a pretty high level over the past few weeks, finishing 2021 very strong and building even more momentum in 2022 with a pair of four-star commitments out of Tennessee last week.

While those commitments from Kody Jones and Taylor Groves were significant, especially considering the fact that Michigan football didn’t land a four-star defensive back in the class of 2021, they could help the Wolverines make even more headway in the state of Tennessee.

Steve Lorenz of the Michigan Insider broke down more potential recruits for the Wolverines in the state and one name that will certainly catch the attention of Michigan football fans is top-ranked defensive tackle in 2022, Walter Nolen.

Nolen is out of Cordova, Tennessee and at 6-foot-4, 300 pounds is exactly the type of defensive tackle Michigan fans have been dreaming about. Here’s a look at his scouting report:

"“Thick, stocky interior defender with good arm length and a powerful frame. Sudden get-off and outstanding first-step quickness. Good lateral quickness at the snap. Jarring punch and knock-back ability. Delivers a blow when being blocked. Outstanding hand quickness and activity. Arrives with heavy pads as a tackler. Good closing speed in the backfield. Can bend and redirect. Doesn’t stay blocked. One of the most disruptive defenders in the 2022 cycle.”"

The usual suspects are obviously in the mix for Nolen such as Ohio State, Alabama, LSU and Clemson, but according to Sam Webb of the Michigan Insider, the Wolverines are making a move and are becoming a legit possibility.

Here’s what Lorenz said about the Wolverines chances with the top defensive tackle in 2022 early last week:

"“While Nolen will be a top priority for a ton of programs, Michigan is expected to have a shot at this race. Shaun Nua, Mike Macdonald and others will be involved in this recruitment.”"

Michigan gaining traction with receivers

Speaking of elite prospects, the Wolverines are also catching the attention of Jalen Brown, the No. 22 overall player in the class of 2023 and the No. 3 wide receiver.

Brown is 6-foot, 169 pounds and told Sam Webb of the Michigan Insider that he was drawn to Michigan and was a big fan of Desmond Howard.

In 2022, Tyler Morris is a top target of the coaching staff at wide receiver, but another name to watch is one out West in Darrius Clemons.

Clemons is 6-foot-3, 205 pounds and ranked 19th among wide outs in the class of 2022 and he’s out of Portland, which isn’t a usual connection for the Wolverines.

However, Clemons did previously have crystal ball projections to Michigan State and Penn State, so it feels like a realistic target and one that’s moving up the board according to Webb.

At any rate, it looks like the positive recruiting momentum will continue and in a general sense, after watching Tom Brady win a seventh Super Bowl and Charles Woodson get elected into the Hall of Fame, it was a good weekend for Michigan football.