Could Michigan Football take 3 running backs in 2023?

Michigan football already has two running back commitments in the 2023 recruiting class but could the Wolverines take a third? 

Michigan football has six commits in its 2023 class already and two of them are running backs. In-state four-star Cole Cabana has quietly moved up the rankings and is now the 171st overall prospect and No. 9 running back in the class.

He is joined by three-star Benjamin Hall out of Georgia. Cabana runs a 4.34 in the 40 and Hall is 225 pounds and will look to fill the Hassan Haskins role as the power back in Michigan’s offense. They could form a “Thunder and Lightning” tandem when they get to Ann Arbor. However, this does not mean running backs coach Mike Hart’s job is done for the cycle.

Possible candidates for a third running back recruit

Michigan football recently extended an offer to Pennsylvania running back London Montgomery. The three-star is a fan of Mike Hart early on according to what the told 247 sports($) and plans on visiting. He also recently made plans to officially Penn State. You can expect Penn State head coach James Franklin will do everything in his power to make sure he does not lose the talented back to Michigan. Montgomery was on hand for Michigan football’s 21-17 victory over Penn State in Happy Valley last season.

Louisiana four-star running back Kaleb Jackson is another that has risen in the rankings and he ranks 146th overall and as the No. 7 back in the class. Jackson runs 10.66 in the 100M and adding his speed to Cabana would likely give Michigan the fastest running duo in the country. He has Michigan in a top 10 that includes Alabama, Baylor, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas A&M. As the only Northern school on his list, Jackson will likely be a tough pull but Michigan did just land Amorion Walker out of Louisiana in 2022.

Michigan is recruiting four-star athlete Jeremiyah Love as a defensive back, but he is capable of playing running back as well. He will officially visit Michigan($) on June 9th. Four-star Jayden Limar out of Washington state has Michigan football in his final four and is announcing May 26th, but Notre Dame controls his crystal ball.

The other elephant in the room is whether a third back would want to join the class. Montgomery has stated that he is not afraid of the competition. Additionally, Cabana’s versatility could make a three-running back class attainable.

Cabana is an excellent receiver out of the backfield and could probably be a D1 wide receiver if he decided to go that route. His skill set reminds me of former Ole Miss All-American RB/WR Dexter McCluster.

If Blake Corum heads to the NFL after this season like I expect, Michigan football will be left with just three scholarship running backs in Donovan Edwards, Tavierre Dunlap, and CJ Stokes. A three-running back class would get the numbers back to six and replenish the depth there.