Recapping a staggering early signing day for Michigan Football

The reigning Big Ten champions got richer yesterday by adding some more recruits to an already top 10 class nationally.

The fireworks went off early and often on Wednesday with a handful of athletes committing to play for Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football.

The maize and blue snagged Clemson decommit and heavily coveted safety Keon Sabb, ex Oklahoma pledge Derrick Moore, a defensive lineman that many wanted, and Darrius Clemons, who wasn’t even considering the Wolverines four months ago.

Wide Receiver Amorion Walker and Quarterback Alex Orji also joined the fold on signing day by choosing Michigan over Notre Dame and Virginia Tech respectively.

Michigan football lands a top-10 recruiting class

That gives Michigan football a consensus top 10 class across the board from the likes of 247sports, CBS Sports HQ, rivals.com, and ESPN.

All of these pledges and the blitzkrieg of recent happenings to go along with the crop of recruits that were already committed to Michigan is why days like this make it such an overwhelming success. Harbaugh and his staff are now reaping the rewards off the field with the tireless work that they put in all year and the championship they earned on the field just two short weeks ago.

Will Johnson remains the gem of the class. He’ll be expected to contribute early in 2022 as long as things go as planned for him. With Gemon Green and Vincent Gray eligible to declare for the NFL, DJ Turner would be the only corner with lengthy experience that could potentially return, unless he decides to jump ship to the pros after a superb junior campaign.

The wide receiver and secondary classes stand out the most. Tyler Morris, Walker, and Clemons are all guys who are unanimous all-star game selections.

The trio alone in the defensive backfield of Zeke Berry, Johnson, and Sabb could develop into one of the best secondary units in the country in a few years under the tutelage of Steve Clinkscale. The 2020 group, who all returned in 2021, benefited immensely following his move over from Kentucky to Michigan.

Derrick Moore may fill a void left by Aidan Hutchinson and perhaps David Ojabo if he leaves early. He’s ready from a physical standpoint at 6’4” 250 pounds. He might even get a shot like Jaylen Harrell did this year playing behind Hutchinson and Ojabo. On the flip side of the ball, Andrew Gentry is a nice consolation prize if the Wolverines miss out on Josh Conerly Jr.

As for that four/five-star offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr., he’s still on Michigan’s radar and will wait until February to sign to a school of his choosing. He’s considered to be a slight Michigan lean by some, but the Washington Huskies are right on Michigan’s heels for his services.

It doesn’t hurt that Michigan beat Washington in September and Conerly was there to witness it.