Michigan Football: Trying to make sense of EDGE recruiting in 2023

There have been a bunch of different shakeups when it comes to EDGE recruiting for Michigan football and here’s an attempt to make sense of it. 

At some point soon, there should be some clarity when it comes to Michigan football’s recruiting at the EDGE position in the 2023 recruiting class.

There are four targets that could be deciding as soon as this week and at least within the next few weeks. Tyler Thompson, a three-star pass rusher out of North Carolina is the latest to announce his decision date and following his official visit to North Carolina, he tweeted that he will be making his commitment on Wednesday.

There was hope that he would be committing to Michigan football. The Wolverines picked up two crystal balls for Thompson shortly after his visit, but more experts didn’t follow and today, those predictions were flipped to North Carolina.

I was worried about the Tar Heels, who have beaten Michigan from some in-state (North Carolina) recruits over the past two cycles and the visit must have made the difference.

In terms of the others that will announce soon, there is still plenty of reason for optimism with Enow Etta after he didn’t take any more official visits following his trip to Ann Arbor.

However, the others that will decide this week are Collins Acheampong and Jaxon Howard, who are both four-star defensive ends.

Acheampong has received a number of crystal ball projections to Michigan football and the Wolverines have a 94-percent chance to win his commitment according to the On3 prediction machine but it feels much closer after Miami hosted him last weekend.

We’ll find out on Friday, which is the same day that Howard is set to decide. His decision is even harder to read as there haven’t been any expert projections.

But EJ Holland of The Wolverine reported (subscription required) that Michigan football is going to make a stronger push for Koumba Aymeric, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound EDGE from France.

Aymeric visited Michigan football in June as part of a tour for international players. The Wolverines have done a stellar job of developing overseas talent and the unranked defensive end has elite athleticism and would give Michigan plenty of raw ability to work with. Here’s more from 247 sports: 

"“The Wolverines were one of the first schools to offer the intriguing 6-foot-5, 230-pounder, who holds an impressive 7-foot wingspan and elite athleticism, following a stellar camp performance at the Mercer camp earlier this month.”"

The Wolverines have attempted to add a few different developmental pass rushers and a push for Aymeric could seal the deal and might be a reaction to missing out on Thompson, as well as potentially both Howard and Acheampong.

Howard and Acheampong could be two huge recruiting victories or defeats, or the Wolverines could split. Going 0-2 would hurt but with the way this cycle has gone, it wouldn’t be shocking.