Five 2023 recruits Michigan Football could still land

3* NT Jamel Howard (IL)

Much like Michigan has already been making a strong push for some hidden gems in Ohio, they have also been mining the Chicagoland area as well. Similar to Pierce, Howard was previously committed to Wisconsin, but has since opened his recruitment back up, and Michigan appears to be the driving force behind that decision.

While Pierce has a bit of versatility inside, Howard is almost certainly set to play nose tackle for whichever program he signs with, given his thick 6’3, 320 lbs. build and strength.

After the Wolverines missed on a few nose tackle types earlier in the cycle, such as FL prospect John Walker, and GA prospect Kayden McDonald, the Wolverines identified Howard as a late riser, and pivoted quickly to prioritizing him.

Howard attends Marist High School in Chicago, the prior home to current Wolverines linebacker Jimmy Rolder, which the Wolverines have already been playing as a pitch in Howard’s recruitment and appear to be in firm control here. Each of the five 247Sports predictions cast in Howard’s recruitment since his decommitment from Wisconsin have all gone to the Wolverines.

A few other names

While these five are key for Michigan to bring into the fold, there are still other recruits to watch. The Wolverines appear to want another wide receiver in their class and have prioritized four-star AL wide receiver Karmello English and three-star TN wide receiver Chase Fitzgerald.

Additionally, Michigan has hosted three-star UT offensive lineman Taliafi Taala, and could certainly bring him into the class, perhaps even along with fellow UT recruit Spencer Fano.

The Wolverines have also not backed down in their attempts to flip four-star FL cornerback Aaron Gates, currently committed to the Florida Gators, and also have expressed interest in flipping three-star MI running back Darius Taylor from the Minnesota Gophers.

And then, of course, the biggest fish left in the pond is five-star athlete Nyckoles Harbor out of D.C., though he is not included here as Harbor has indicated a desire to wait and sign on the traditional February Signing Day, meaning there is still a couple of months to go in that recruitment.