5 questions facing Michigan Football recruiting in 2022

Will in-state focus pay off?

Michigan has made a commitment to improving its in-state recruiting operation. The hiring of Ron Bellamy was genius and Steve Clinkscale will prove to be an excellent hire as well.

Mike Hart was another big addition and Courtney Morgan, another former U-M player, who is from Ohio, is already proving to be a key asset and is bringing the recruiting operation up to date.

But will all these changes lead to positive results in 2022, especially in the state of Michigan?

It’s an important question. Dillon Tatum will be a test as he is strongly considering Michigan State as well as the Wolverines. Alex VanSumeren, one of the top players in the state already de-committed and he’s not coming back.

So Tatum is incredibly important as is Deone Walker. If Michigan can land those two and flip Jeremiah Caldwell from Kentucky, which Clink is working to do, then the class could have a strong in-state feel.

Yet, the way it’s looking right now, Michigan football could add just 2-3 of the top-10 recruits in the state, which is still going to be an issue that needs fixing going forward.

The staff can change that especially if Jaden Mangham comes on board, but three of the top five in the state are committed elsewhere. Two of the top five actually de-committed from the Wolverines.

Losing Johnson and Tatum would be disastrous. But if Michigan football lands Tatum, suddenly, the Wolverines would have three of the top seven commitments and some actual momentum.

Tatum might be the next big decision in this class and for a lot of reasons, winning his recruitment is absolutely vital for the Wolverines in 2022, at least if Michigan fans want some positive answers to the questions raised in this post.