Michigan Football: Pair of top D-line targets in 2022 to visit Wolverines

It took a minute for Michigan football to adjust its recruiting board for the class of 2022, with some new coaches coming on staff. But now, things are starting to become clear.

At defensive end/edge rusher, whatever you want to call that outside position, one of the top targets that’s clearly emerged in recent weeks is Joshua Josephs, a three-star defensive end out of Georgia.

Before you roll your eyes about the kid being a three-star recruit, watch his highlights and you’ll see why Michigan football really wants him.

Joseph is 6-foot-3, 205 pounds and he’s an explosive pass rusher, to say the least. During the 2020 season, he was credited with 98 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, and four interceptions.

The recruit from Kennesaw, Georgia is the 29th-ranked weak-side defensive end prospect in the 2022 class according to the 247 sports composite rankings and No. 547 overall. But the 247 specific rankings have him 17th at his position at 29th in the state of Georgia, whereas the composite rankings have him at 52nd in the Peach State.

To me, he looks like a four-star recruit. He can win with his hand in the dirt and shows a knack for getting some pressure on stunts too. He’s also athletic enough you could see him standing up as Adian Hutchinson, Taylor Upshaw and others will do this season for the Wolverines.

Joseph also has an official visit locked in with Michigan football for June. The Wolverines are one of the teams heavily in the mix, but another is Tennessee which also secured an official visit this week. U-M offered back in January, and since then, Miami, Penn State, Tennessee, Kentucky, Purdue, Mississippi State, and Louisville have all offered.

This is definitely a recruitment to keep an eye on going forward for Michigan fans.

2022 DT sets official visit too

Another recruit you need to start paying attention to on the defensive line is three-star defensive tackle Hayden Schwartz.

Schwartz is listed at 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, and is the No. 546 recruit nationally according to the 247 sports composite rankings in 2022, as well as the No. 42 DT.

George Helow, linebackers coach, has been one of the point men due to his ties to Florida, where Schwartz is from and earlier this week, the Wolverines got their official visit secured according to the Michigan Insider.

The Wolverines offered a couple of months ago and according to Brice Marich, they could see Schwartz playing all along the defensive line. Using a three-man front, he could be a valuable guy down the road especially at 6-foot-4.

Here’s what Schwartz told the Michigan Insider about his offer from U-M:

"“It was awesome to see Coach Harbaugh (via Zoom) and talk to him with my parents. Coach Harbaugh was telling me about what they do and how he’s giving me an opportunity and it’s up to me to earn what I want to do, which was really cool to hear. Coach Helow also said how they’re looking for a ‘Michigan guy’ and that I fit what they want.”"

The Wolverines have been working hard to set up a flurry of official visits in June and have been able to do so. As of right now, Schwartz hasn’t planned any other visits.