Michigan Football: Updating recruitment of versatile defenders in 2022

Michigan football is bringing in a bunch of recruits for visits in June and versatile defenders Ish Harris and Joseph Adedire will be among them. 

It has taken some time for Michigan football‘s defensive recruiting board to take shape, especially with so much coaching turnover on that side of the ball.

Part of that had to do with the new scheme and just identifying who the new staff wants to recruit and where.

Michigan has been trying to make more gains in Texas and it’s made some progress over the years. In 2021, the Wolverines signed Tavierre Dunlap. U-M also landed the Green twins from Texas too.

Those efforts were hurt by the departure of Maurice Linguist to Buffalo since he had really strong ties to the state, but Michigan is still pushing hard for a 2022 defender in the state of Texas and that’s three-star defensive end Joseph Adedire.

From Arlington, Texas, Adedire is ranked 533rd overall in the 2022 class according to the 247 sports composite rankings, as well as 37th among strong-side defensive ends.

Yet, he’s a really versatile prospect, which would make him an ideal fit for Mike MacDonald’s defensive system, which is going to be multiple on the D-line. Adedire is already set for a visit in June and according to a tweet from EJ Holland, he was rocking U-M gloves recently.

The defensive end was recently offered by LSU and Oklahoma State. He also has other visits scheduled with Cal and Georgia Tech. There are no crystal ball projections.

Another intriguing defender to visit Michigan

The Wolverines are also in the mix with four-star athlete Ish Harris who is out of Pilot Point, Texas. Harris is being recruited by a number of elite programs and his top five are Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Michigan, Miami, and Texas.

All of those schools are likely to get official visits and according to Holland, an official visit from Harris to Ann Arbor is in the works.

Harris is listed by 247 sports as a running back, but he’s being recruited as a linebacker, edge rusher, and even a defensive back. During his last high school football season, he notched five interceptions, and his coverage ability could be a game-changer at linebacker.

But, the Aggies and Sooners appear to be the favorites here. Harris is ranked No. 357 overall and 52nd in Texas, as well as 27th among outside linebackers.