More reasons to like Michigan Football’s international commitments
Michigan football has been taking some talented international prospects and here’s more on why they should have Wolverine fans excited.
Recruiting for Michigan football has taken on a bit of an international flair with the Wolverines taking commitments from Aymeric Koumba and Manuel Beigel.
Koumba is out of France, while Beigel is out of Germany. Both players worked with Brandon Collier of PPI, a program that focuses on developing international players for college football.
Collier worked with Julius Welschof and also had a strong relationship with Mike Elston when he was at Notre Dame. Now, Elston and Michigan football are reaping the benefits of that and while Koumba and Beigel aren’t ranked in the recruiting rankings (or not highly) that should change.
Collier recently did an interview on The Michigan Insider Podcast and said some intriguing things about both prospects starting with Koumba, an EDGE who is part of the 2023 class.
"“He’s a kid that’s 6-5, 230 and just has a ridiculous wingspan. A 7-2 wingspan, huge hands, runs 4.7 in the 40. Explosive with a 10-something broad jump. He’s actually got way more football experience than Julius (Welschof) because he’s played five-six years. He’s a way better football player at this moment than Julius was in his time. Of course, he’s still kind of raw just being out here in Europe and with not the same coaching they get in America. But he’s more of a ‘ready now’ prospect than Julius. I think he’ll surprise a lot of people going forward.”"
Collier also said that while Koumba won’t be playing football in the United States this fall, his plan is to enroll early at Michigan, which will give Elston and the staff even more time to develop him and get him ready for the adjustment to big-time college football.
The fact that Koumba is more developed than Welschof is a good thing because he’s got the athleticism of David Ojabo and his testing numbers give him serious NFL potential.
Beigel impressed Nick Saban on workout
Some Michigan football fans have scoffed at the international commitments but they shouldn’t. Beigel, the 2024 commitment, is 6-foot-5, 280, and used to be a soccer player. Collier said some things about Manuel that also raised my eyebrows just a little:
"“He’s got the frame to be 305 – 310 lbs. and moving really well. That’s another kid I think Michigan really hit a home run on because he’s going to spend the next two years in Connecticut, developing at Choate Preparatory School. We went down to Alabama and Nick Saban brought him into the office and said, ‘man, you’re one of the most impressive prospects that I’ve seen this year? When I see any film on you, I’m going to offer you a scholarship. I really liked what you did today.'”"
The fact that Beigel will play high school ball in the United States for the next two years definitely leads me to believe he’ll be ranked, at least as a three-star recruit, but if Saban is showing interest, it wouldn’t be shocking if he was a four-star at some point.
Next. 5 position battles to watch this fall. dark
He’s got the talent — both guys do — and it will be exciting to see what Michigan football can do with it.