Michigan Football a ‘dark horse’ in recruitment of elite DB

Michigan football made the final eight for four-star safety Javien Toviano in the 2023 recruiting class and here’s a look at the Wolverines’ chances. 

Slowly but surely, Michigan football is starting to build some momentum on the recruiting trail. The visit list for the 2023 class is getting larger by the day and on Tuesday, the Wolverines were included in the final list of eight teams for four-star defensive back Javien Toviano.

Toviano is out of Arlington, Texas, and is 6-foot-1, 185 pounds. He’s ranked 31st overall according to the On3.com consensus rankings and he’s just outside being a five-star recruit.

Some others that made the cut in his final eight are Georgia, Texas A&M, Texas, Ohio State, LSU, Alabama, Oregon, and Michigan football.

Where does Michigan football stand?

Among that list of finalists, the Wolverines can’t be viewed as the favorite right now. Georgia is leading the way according to the On3.com prediction machine and the Bulldogs have also hosted Toviano for multiple visits and have the only official visit scheduled right now.

Texas A&M and Texas are also right in the thick of things. Both are going to want to get him on campus for an official visit but sometimes, when a kid is that close to home, like with Dante Moore, an unofficial visit isn’t really needed.

That could give Michigan football and other teams opportunities to get him in for an official visit. Here’s what he told On3.com about the Wolverines:

"“Michigan has kind of been a dark horse in my recruitment as of late. They are such a blue-collar program. I don’t think I could’ve left them off the list. The work they have done with corners is not unnoticed. Coach Bellamy , Coach Harbaugh,  Coach Clink … I know guys like those are guys that focus on bettering the man over the player.  I think that’s what sticks out about them most.”"

It’s not a surprise that Toviano is talking about Steve Clinkscale, the cornerbacks’ coach, and co-defensive coordinator, or Ron Bellamy, who was the safeties coach before moving to wide receiver this past offseason.

The Wolverines have done a solid job with cornerbacks and with Clink in the mix, Toviano could be viewed as more of a hybrid like Daxton Hill. Cornerbacks tend to go higher than safeties so playing at a place like Michigan where that’s understood could be helpful.

Still, Michigan needs to get Toviano on campus before it can become a serious contender, but as of now, it at least has an outside shot.