Michigan Football: 5 must land targets as Wolverines refocus recruiting

The Wolverines recruiting efforts are winding down from the summer visits, with the focus turning to the season at hand. However, there are still top targets that Michigan football needs to land, and we take a look at a couple of them here. 

The Wolverines have gotten some momentum back on the recruiting trail over the course of July and into August, landing commitments from a host of intriguing players.

Now, the board resets a bit here, as the summer official visit window has created a newer rhythm to recruiting, where plenty of top prospects take summer officials and then make their decisions in July and early August to get that taken care of before their senior season.

Earlier this offseason, we took a look at 10 “must land” recruits in the 2023 class. Unfortunately, the results there have not been good, as Harbaugh’s dalliance with the NFL, losing multiple coordinators and assistants, and Michigan’s lackluster start launching their NIL platform sort of killed moment.

QB Dante Moore committed to Oregon, WR Jalen Brown committed to LSU, OT Francis Mauigoa and DE Jayden Wayne both committed to Miami (FL), OT Cayden Green committed to Oklahoma, OT Luke Montgomery committed to Ohio State, DT Sydir Mitchell committed to Texas, LB Tackett Curtis committed to USC and Michigan football was unable to make any significant progress in flipping DE Keon Keely from Notre Dame, who now appears set to flip to Alabama instead.

Michigan went 0-9 on the prospects who committed, with just five-star athlete Nyckoles Harbor left uncommitted and considering Michigan. Harbor remains a must land caliber recruit, but for the sake of new content, we are leaving him off this list for the time being.

Despite the lackluster start, Michigan still has an opportunity to close out with a quality class, though perhaps a bit below previous classes Jim Harbaugh recruited. Here’s five recruits (excluding Harbor) that would go a long way towards a successful recovery from Harbaugh and company.

4* OT  Caleb Lomu (AZ)

Michigan football offensive line recruiting took a big step forward when the Wolverines received a surprise visit and commitment at the BBQ from four-star offensive tackle Evan Link.

However, the Wolverines would still like to take another two or three offensive linemen in this class, and Lomu is easily the best remaining option for them, ranked as the 21st best tackle in the class of 2023. He, and one of the interior linemen mentioned after this, would be awesome additions to really rebuild some excitement in the OL class Michigan is putting together.

Lomu visited the Wolverines for the BBQ at the Big House and is reportedly set to make his way back to Ann Arbor for an official visit this fall. Oregon looms as the biggest competition Michigan is facing, but another strong season from the Wolverines OL and another terrific visit could really help seal the deal here for Michigan football.