Michigan Football: New expert projections for 2023 class

Michigan football needs momentum on the recruiting trail and the Wolverines are now being projected to land a pair of 2023 defenders. 

Not all expert projections are created equal as we will get to in a minute but it’s worth noting that Michigan football did pick up a pair of expert picks for 2023 recruits heading into the weekend.

The most notable one came from EJ Holland of The Wolverine who put in a new prediction for three-star defensive lineman Saadiq Clements to wind up with Michigan football.

Clements is an interesting prospect. He’s listed at 6-foot-3, 280 pounds according to his On3.com profile and according to the On3.com consensus rankings, he’s 781 overall and 95th among D-lineman.

Yet, according to 247 sports, Clements is 6-foot-5. He’s ranked a little higher in the 247 sports composite and that’s because On3 actually ranks him a little lower.

Clements is out of Henderson, Kentucky and since the Wolverines love longer dudes up front, and if 247 is correct about the height, Clements fits the bill.

Florida State and Kentucky are two other programs that are also in the mix. Ohio State hasn’t offered but did host Clements for a visit in March, while some others have offered in the Big Ten too. The Noles and Wildcats have each hosted him for visits, with Kentucky hosting him twice.

Yet, with Clements set to visit Michigan football next month, the Wolverines could be looking to lock in a commitment for the versatile D-lineman sooner rather than later.

It was also the second expert projection this week from Holland, who also predicted a key edge target to land with Michigan in 2023.

A Michigan football crystal ball with low confidence

Another defender to watch for Michigan in the 2023 recruiting class is Jayvant Brown, a four-star linebacker from Miami. He actually played at the same school as Jaydon Hood and Ja’Den McBurrows.

We haven’t heard a lot about him but one Miami 247 expert put in a crystal ball prediction with a confidence level of 1 (1-10 scale) for the Wolverines. It seems curious to put one in at all, but the Wolverines must have some semblance of momentum in this recruitment.

Steve Lorenz mentioned Brown in a recent update, but his recruitment hasn’t been reported on much, and 247 sports doesn’t list any team as “warm” despite the offer sheet being pretty impressive with Miami, Alabama, Auburn, and others. He’s ranked 215th overall in the 2023 class in the 247 sports composite rankings and is compared to Myles Jack.

Denard Robinson and linebackers coach George Helow both have ties to Florida and if the Canes are pushing hard, the 6-foot, 220-pounder could make a lot of sense for Michigan football.