3 thoughts on disastrous June for Michigan Football recruiting

“Transformational, not transactional” isn’t working

I understand why Michigan football is taking the approach that is it. NIL is going to cause problems on teams especially as freshmen are making $10 million and some veteran players basically nothing.

But that doesn’t change the fact that unless Michigan finds a better way to work in the NIL landscape soon, it’s going to be left behind. In the 2023 class, it already has been.

Michigan hosted numerous top-100 prospects and four-star recruits on campus during the month of June and is trending in the right direction for just a few. Even with the edge rushers, a position Michigan should be able to recruit with ease, the Wolverines have whiffed so far.

Enow Etta is expected to decide soon and should be for Michigan but Michigan State, which actually has a functional NIL program, is making a push and I’m worried. Collins Acheampong has delayed his decision because Miami’s NIL offer is making him think so much.

A delay isn’t necessarily bad for Michigan. But these recruitments are as clear as it gets: transformational experience vs NIL.

So far, NIL has won out every single time.

If it wins out with Acheampong and Etta, that should be a final warning to Michigan that its recruiting strategy as far as NIL is failing miserably.

A lack of NIL was an issue in the recruitment of Moore, Carr, and basically, every top commitment that has gone to another school. Michigan can continue to stick its head in the sand and hope positive results on the field help this fall.

But last year, Michigan won the Big Ten, beat Ohio State, and reached the College Football Playoff, plus sent guys to the NFL draft and it hasn’t mattered one bit. Why? Recruiting is mostly NIL.

And until Michigan figures that out, it’s hard to see this trend of terrible recruiting turning around.