Michigan Football: 5 thoughts on 2022 class after early signing day

Good group in the trenches

Michigan didn’t land some of its top targets on the defensive line such as Walter Nolen or Deone Walker and on the offensive side, Josh Conerly Jr., a five-star offensive tackle is up in the air.

But the Wolverines added some solid pieces in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Defensively, Kenneth Grant is one of those guys who should be rated as a four-star recruit.

He’s 6-foot-4, 335 pounds, and moves extremely well for a guy his size. Ohio State was all over him and wanted him in their class, so landing him was huge for the Wolverines and softens the blow of missing out on Walker, who is a stud, but is very similar.

Mason Graham was another big get and a tremendous job of scouting. He was a lower-ranked three-star when he committed then blew up with offers from Oregon and USC. After a dominant senior season, Graham is now a four-star according to 247 sports and a great addition.

Few interior pass rushers are as good as Graham. Plus Derrick Moore is a talented pass rusher who could help on the edge or on the interior.

On the offensive line, Andrew Gentry was a coup. He’s a top-100 dude and while he hasn’t played football for two years, he’s 6-foot-8 and has NFL ability. People have also been underrating Connor Jones and Alessandro Lorenzetti. Sherrone Moore should have fun molding those guys.

Michigan landed three offensive linemen at 6-foot-6 or taller and even if Conerly doesn’t come on board, it’s a good group of guys with plenty for Moore to develop.