Michigan Football’s rise with Semaj Bridgeman is huge for LB recruiting

Michigan football has been trending in the right direction with four-star linebacker Semaj Bridgeman in the 2023 class. 

Going into the 2022 season, one likely would not have linebacker as one of the stronger position groups on the Michigan football roster.

Not to say it is a weakness, but outside of Junior Colson (who I think has a breakout season), there may not be another impact player in the group. Particularly if you consider Jaylen Harrell an EDGE.

Michigan football runs a 3-4 base and plays a lot of nickel, which lessens the need for off-ball linebackers in its scheme. However, they are still important when it comes to defending the run and Michigan does play in the Big Ten.

Linebacker is a key position as Michigan football looks to fill out its 2023 class.

The Wolverines got off to a great start when four-star linebacker Raylen Wilson committed last December. Wilson fits the Devin Bush-style linebacker Michigan has had plenty of success with, but he offers more length at 6-foot-2.

However, getting a top 100 prospect from Florida signed was always going to be a battle and Michigan is facing stiff competition from Georgia and Florida to hold onto Wilson.

247Sports National Recruiting Analyst Steve Wiltfong believes that Georgia currently leads while Wilson took an official visit to Florida over the weekend. Michigan will host Wilson for his last official visit this summer and will look to regain momentum in his recruitment.

Michigan is also in pursuit of two more Florida linebackers in twins Michael and Andrew Harris.  The twins are both four-star recruits in the composite and will visit Michigan officially on June 28th.

It is not a surprise that as twins they are a package deal, but they have not named a leader in their recruitment. Michigan football is currently hosting three-star Phil Picciotti on an official visit. However, he enters the trip with Oklahoma leading on his crystal ball.

With Wilson wavering and without obvious traction for its other linebacker targets, that made Semaj Bridgeman’s an official visit last weekend a big deal.

By all accounts, the Wolverines knocked it out of the park. Bridgeman was slated to visit Georgia this weekend, but he canceled his official visit, which is typically a good sign. Bridgeman has not set a date, but it would not be a surprise to see him in the class sooner than later. Michigan holds all of his predictions on Rivals’ FutureCast and is the clear leader according to On3.

Should Bridgeman commit, he would be an excellent addition to Michigan’s class. He is ranked as a four-star prospect, the 303rd overall prospect in 247sports composite, and the No. 19 linebacker.

He would also give Michigan a recruiting win over Georgia. If Michigan holds off Georgia for Raylen Wilson, it will have two four-stars at a major position of need. It’s unclear how many linebackers the Wolverines will take, but Wilson and Bridgeman would be an excellent start.