Michigan Football: Breaking down a blue-chip commitment in 2023

Michigan football added its second commitment on Friday as Semaj Bridgeman, a four-star linebacker from Philly pledged to the Wolverines. 

Talk about momentum — Michigan football now has some semblance of it after landing a second commitment on the same day.

The first was from three-star wide receiver Fredrick Moore, who I think could be a candidate to move up in the rankings before it’s all said and done. Rivals currently ranks him as a four-star recruit while he’s a three-star in the 247 sports composite rankings.

However, Michigan football was able to reel in a composite four-star too on Friday as Semaj Bridgeman, a four-star linebacker from Philadelphia committed. He’s ranked No. 305 overall in the 2023 class and 20th among linebackers. He’s listed at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds.

Rutgers was the leading contender at the end of things for the Wolverines but Bridgeman has an impressive offer sheet that includes Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan State, Oregon, and Penn State, among others.

It’s an impressive offer sheet and the addition of Bridgeman was critical after the decommitment of top-100 linebacker Raylen Wilson earlier this week.

Bridgeman is going to play inside linebacker for the Wolveriners and here’s what he told 247 sports about the fit with Michigan football:

"“In Michigan’s scheme, the MIKE ‘backer can blitz the edge, blitz the A gap, drop into coverage, cover the receiver. They have versatility with their MIKE ‘backer. It shows my game. So it’s basically like what I’ve been doing in high school, and that transition is just like a higher level. So I’m just going to adjust and adapt but it’s stuff I’ve been doing so that’s why I feel as though it’s a good fit.”"

In addition to filling a position where the Wolverines needed to add some depth in the 2023 class, Michigan football also got a talented product that had a bunch of high-level offers.

The Wolverines needed some momentum and getting their second blue-chip commitment of the cycle certainly qualifies as a momentum-building move.