Michigan Football: Wolverines trying to flip Texas A&M commit

Michigan football has entered the mix for a 2023 defensive end already committed to Texas A&M but has ties to the state of Michigan.

A lot of the recruiting focus is on the 2022 class right now, but Michigan football made a significant offer recently in 2023 to four-star defensive end Anthony James.

James is one of the top prospects in the 2023 class and according to the 247 sports rankings, he’s a top-50 prospect and No. 5 at strong-side defensive end. The 49th player overall also ranks fifth in the state of Texas.

At 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, his commitment was obviously a big get for Texas A&M when he committed back in February, however, with James’ former ties to the state of Michigan — he’s from Flint — the Wolverines and Spartans have jumped into the mix.

And it sounds like he’s at least considering Michigan according to what Brice March of the Michigan Insider tweeted:

Here’s his scouting report from Gabe Brooks of 247 sports:

"“Terrific frame with great height. Tons of space to add mass moving forward. Promising physical traits and verified 4.69 40 are elite for a young defensive end prospect. Quick off the ball and pursues well. Could fit multiple roles in different schemes depending on physical development.  High-ceiling defensive line prospect likely among the top recruits in Texas in his class.”"

While some thought that Michigan football was going to give up its recruiting efforts in Texas once Maurice Linguist left, U-M has made some solid gains in the Lone-Star state and it doesn’t look like the Wolverines are going away.

Plus, James has that connection to Michigan. I wouldn’t give U-M a great shot here, but since James is a 2023 recruit, there is plenty of time to try and sway him.

2023 wide receiver to visit Michigan football

Speaking of the 2023 recruiting class, the Wolverines are going to get a visit from wide receiver, Malik Elzy, out of Chicago.

Elzy is currently listed as a three-star prospect by 247 sports but he has been picking up offers left and right from Big Ten schools, including Michigan back in January.

Now, according to Marich, Elzy is going to take a visit to Ann Arbor in June.

Elzy has picked up five offers from Big Ten or SEC schools in the past few weeks and has really good size at 6-foot-3, 198 pounds.

Here’s a recent report from Allen Trieu of 247 sports on Elzy at the UC Report in St. Louis:

"“Malik Elzy, WR, Chicago Simeon (2023) – Elzy is big, but also smooth. He was one of the best in the gauntlet and then had several standout one-on-one reps. A strong spring season has him soaring now with recent offers from Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Vanderbilt and Minnesota adding to his existing offer from Michigan.”"

With A.J. Henning in 2020 and Tyler Morris committed in 2022, the Wolverines have done well recruiting receivers from Illinois and Elzy could be the next in line.