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Michigan Recruiting: Why 2023 is Most Important Season in History

By Jordan Bruetsch

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy talks to teammates before taking a snap from center Drake Nugent against Indiana during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy talks to teammates before taking a snap from center Drake Nugent against Indiana during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. /
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There’s no doubt that the 2023 season is a very important one. But is it the most important ever?

Michigan football is 7-0 and is undoubtedly a top-two team in the nation. The Wolverines have arguably been the best team in the country, having scored at least 30 points every game, while allowing 10 or fewer points in each contest.

The team has been flat-out dominant, and if the Wolverines are going to win a national championship, 2023 may be the year to do it. That moves to the main point: This is the year Michigan football needs to make forward progress. The 2023 season is the most important in program history, and here’s why.

Recruits NEED to see national success

Yes, Michigan has beat Ohio State back-to-back years and has made the playoffs. Yet recruiting hasn’t picked up. While a big factor in that is NIL, which will be talked about, another huge factor is that Michigan football hasn’t proven that it can compete with other elite programs.

Since 2018, Michigan has lost to Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and TCU. Pretty much every big non-Big Ten matchup has gone against the Wolverines (particularly in the postseason). And while Michigan may have a great strategy within the Big Ten, they’ve struggled outside of it.

Recruits want to have a legitimate shot at a national title, which means going to schools that have proven they can compete for one. That’s a big reason that Ohio State continues to draw elite talent despite losing to Michigan. They’ve proven that they can compete with the best, and they should have beaten Georgia in the playoffs last year.

If Michigan football can make it to the playoffs and beat a Georgia-caliber team, recruits will take notice. Even with no changes to NIL, recruiting would shoot upwards. Because teams that make it to the national championship, and especially teams that win it, have proven that they can bring the best out of players and win at the highest level.

And I know that Michigan is notorious for excellent player development. They consistently bring out the best in lower-ranked players. But they need to elevate to the level of teams that are able to bring in top-tier talent. That’s the best way to make yourself known to elite players.

As the saying goes, to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best.

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