Jim Harbaugh is breaking a Michigan football recruiting trend

The excitement surrounding the 2024 Michigan football recruiting class is remarkable, even though it’s only April. The Michigan Wolverines have emerged as the top-ranked recruiting class in the nation, surpassing Ohio State and Georgia. They aim to add more top talent throughout the spring and summer. Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is breaking the usual Michigan recruiting pattern with this impressive April recruiting success.

Jim Harbaugh breaking his own Michigan football recruiting trend with 2024 class

Jim Harbaugh’s first recruiting class as head coach of Michigan came in 2016, and since then, he has not had much success in April until this year. In fact, the most commitments he has landed before May 1st during his tenure as the Wolverines’ head coach was nine, which occurred in both 2017 and 2021. However, the 2024 Michigan football recruiting class has achieved a remarkable feat with 14 commitments, recently surpassing UGA and OSU for the coveted No. 1 spot in the 247 Sports Composite team rankings.

@UMichFootball Football Commits Before May 1 (Harbaugh Era):

14 2024
5 2023
5 2022
9 2021
3 2020
8 2019
5 2018
9 2017
2 2016 pic.twitter.com/nFPEyhz9rP

— Double BB? (@BBsBigHouse1) April 26, 2023

This accomplishment is significant for several reasons. First, it indicates that recruits are taking notice of Michigan’s impressive on-field achievements, such as back-to-back Big Ten titles, College Football Playoff appearances, and NFL Draft success. After Michigan’s 13-1 season a year ago, this was a question mark when the 2023 class signed, as it was hardly in the top 20.

Secondly, the 14 elite commitments offer more freedom to the Wolverines’ coaching staff. With the core of the Michigan football recruiting class already secured, Jim Harbaugh and his team can aim for major national prospects. Moreover, Michigan football can concentrate on their remaining high-interest targets and add depth to the class.

The recent success of Michigan football recruiting is thrilling, and it is expected to continue to improve. If the Wolverines can maintain this momentum throughout the summer and fall, this recruiting class could become the best that head coach Jim Harbaugh has ever put together in Ann Arbor.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at [email protected]. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!