Michigan Football: Latest on priority 2022 target Joshua Burnham

In terms of 2022 recruiting targets for Michigan football, Joshua Burnham is near the top of the list and here’s where the Wolverines stand with the four-star LB. 

Things have started to heat up with Michigan football in the 2022 recruiting class, with six total commitments including two just last week from a pair of four-star defensive backs.

Recruits are making decisions earlier and earlier in the process and with visits opening up again in the next few months, this is a really important time in the 2022 cycle.

Remember, the last two recruiting class, Michigan football has made a strong push in the spring, landing a ton of commitments. That’s when the Wolverines have done most of their damage and we aren’t that far away from the late spring/early summer window.

Of Michigan’s six verbal commits right now, two of them are in-state recruits. The first commitment this cycle was from Alex VanSumeren, who has grown into a 300-pound defensive tackle who earned a scholarship offer from Alabama.

Where Michigan stands with priority in-state target

Michigan also landed the commitment of three-star defensive tackle Davonte Miles, but another big target in the state could be deciding soon and that’s four-star outside linebacker/athlete Joshua Burnham.

Burnham is ranked 114th overall in the 2022 class according to the 247 sports composite rankings and he’s ninth among outside linebackers and second ranked in the state behind another priority target in five-star cornerback Will Johnson.

Like VanSumeren, Burnham’s recruitment is going national. Alabama has offered him too along with Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State and Notre Dame.

The Wolverines own all five of his crystal ball projections and according to Sam Webb of the Michigan Insider, a decision could come somewhat soon.

Michigan has been expected to land Burnham but this past season didn’t help. Others such as Ohio State and Notre Dame have made progress, which according to Webb (subscription required) led the Wolverines to change their tactics.

It’s well known that Burnham played quarterback on offense and with Jim Harbaugh getting more involved, he’s being given the chance to get recruited at that position.

At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, he would be a great fit for the Wolverines new defense, which we break down here in our two-deep prediction and with his athleticism, he could be ideal in the hybrid role Mike Macdonald is likely to employ as defensive coordinator.

Either way, the Wolverines were hoping moves for Mike Hart and Ron Bellamy would bolster in-state recruiting and one of the first tests in 2022 will be landing Burnham.