Michigan Football: Scouting top 6 O-line targets for Wolverines in 2023

Four-star OT Monroe Freeling (Mount Pleasant, SC/Oceanside Collegiate Academy)

Another prototypical left tackle makes this list. Freeling does not have the mass of the others currently do, but he is still well put together at 6-foot-7 and 283 pounds. He is the type of prospect Michigan’s strength and conditioning program can mold and get up to 315 pounds by his second year on campus.

However, he is a very good athlete and plays basketball as well. His footwork and speed translate to the football field, particularly pulling in space. He was recently one of the top performers at the Atlanta Under Armour Camp. He is ranked as the No. 93 overall and No. 9 offensive tackle in the class.

South Carolina is not a state where Michigan football traditionally has had a ton of success. However,  Freeling has Michigan among a list of suitors that includes Miami, Florida, Notre Dame, Clemson, and Penn State. Notre Dame and Clemson are out front($) at this point.

Michigan will look to push to get Freeling on campus to stay in this race.

Four-star IOL Sam Pendleton (Pfafftown, NC/Reagan HS)

Staying in the Carolinas, Pendleton has emerged as one of Michigan’s top targets. The Wolverines extended an offer to him in November and he took an unofficial visit for the Ohio State game. Michigan made enough of an impression to survive his latest cuts to his list. Pendleton’s top five includes Clemson, Michigan, NC State, Penn State, and Virginia Tech.

Clemson leads on his crystal ball with all four predictions, however, Michigan will look to continue its push when Pendleton returns to campus. He will make his return to Ann Arbor ($) next weekend and is forging relationships with both Sherrone Moore and Grant Newsome.

Pendleton played right tackle for his high school team last season, though he may project to the interior at the next level. At six-foot-four and 305 pounds, he has good guard size for a guard. However, he could also be a swing tackle. He is ranked as the No. 338 overall prospect in the 2023 class and the No. 22 interior offensive lineman in the 2023 class.

Four-star IOL Amir Herring (West Bloomfield, MI/West Bloomfield HS)

We close out this list with Michigan’s best chance of a commitment at this point. Herring has been a top target for Michigan for several years. He is the teammate of three-star wide receiver commit Semaj Morgan.

Michigan controls Herring’s crystal ball with all five predictions. Things have been quiet with him lately but he has been to campus numerous times, most recently for the Ohio State game.

Of the targets on this list, Herring most clearly projects to the interior of the offensive line. He is listed at 6-foot-3 and 280 pounds. He has the potential to be a mauler in Michigan football’s vaunted running game. He is planning on making a late summer decision ($).

Herring would be a solid building block for U-M on the offensive line. He is ranked as the No. 205th overall prospect, No. 9 interior offensive line, and No. 3 in the state of Michigan in the 2023 class.