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Once again, Michigan football comes in third on National Signing Day

Yet again, the Wolverines are behind Penn State and Ohio State in the recruiting standings.

Published

8 months ago

February 2, 2023

At this point, most Michigan football fans should be prepared for what I am about to say. Once again, the Wolverines came in third in the Big Ten on National Signing Day. Surprisingly, Michigan’s recent success seems to be doing little (if anything) for it on the recruiting trail, as James Franklin and Ryan Day managed to land more talent than the Wolverines in the 2023 cycle.

Penn State, Ohio State lead Big Ten on NSD

On February 1st (college football National Signing Day), 2023 prospects around the country inked their commitments to some of the nation’s top programs. Despite being in Big Ten and National title contention every year, the Wolverines seemed to fall behind Penn State and Ohio State once again — this has become a common occurrence in Ann Arbor as of late.

When it came time to put pen on paper, Ohio State led the Big Ten with one five-star, 18 four-stars, and one three-star commit. The Buckeyes’ class ranks 1st in the Big Ten with 289.05 points (247). In 2nd place is the Penn State Nittany Lions, who signed 18 four-stars and five three-stars on NSD. James Franklin’s newest class has a 270.20 grade, according to 247.

Michigan football takes 3rd place in Big Ten recruiting

On National Signing Day, Michigan football secured commitments from 10 four-stars and 14 three-star recruits. The Wolverines’ class grades out to 241.74 according to 247 Sports and ranks 18th nationally.

Michigan’s 2023 class is Jim Harbaugh’s worst class since 2018 when the Wolverines were coming off of an underwhelming 8-5 performance in 2017. It is Habraugh’s second-worst since taking over as Michigan’s head football coach in late 2014.

Recent success canceled out by NIL issues, NFL rumors

Even though Penn State and Ohio State continue to out-recruit Michigan football, the Wolverines have had few issues with the two programs this decade. Michigan is 4-0 against OSU and PSU combined over the past two seasons and boasts blowout victories over both in 2022 alone (41-17 vs. Penn State, 45-23 at Ohio State).

Here is a look at the three program’s records and accomplishments over the past two seasons:

Michigan: 25-3 overall record, two CFP appearances, two consecutive Big Ten titles.
Penn State: 18-8 overall record, 1-1 bowl record (non-CFP), zero Big Ten titles since 2016.
Ohio State: 22-4 overall, 1-1 bowl record (0-1 CFP), zero Big Ten titles since 2020.

A significant factor in Michigan’s recent recruiting struggles could be the program’s lack of NIL support and the recent Jim Harbaugh-NFL rumors. Blue chip recruits are not lining up to play for a program with fewer NIL opportunities and a head coach rumored to want to bolt at any moment.

Since Harbaugh turned down the NFL this offseason, he has done much better in the 2024 class. Still, the 2023 class remains a bit underwhelming on paper.

Here is the order of the remaining teams in the Big Ten: Michigan State, Nebraska, Maryland, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Northwestern, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Purdue and Indiana.

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 Cj@BluebyNinety.com or DM him on Twitter, @CJsWrld_.

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Four-star Michigan football target expected to commit soon

This four-star Michigan football target is about to announce his commitment.

Published

6 hours ago

September 21, 2023

CJ Mangum

Michigan football, recruiting, 2024 recruiting class, Brian Robinson

Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Wolverines are one of the five remaining teams for Brian Robinson, a blue-chip edge rusher from Ohio, who is reportedly close to making a college decision. Robinson, who was once a prominent four-star Michigan football target in the 2024 recruiting class, was initially strongly leaning towards Michigan, but now it appears to be more uncertain. His commitment would be a significant and unexpected acquisition for Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines.

Four-star Michigan football target Brian Robinson close to a final call

According to recent reports, Brian Robinson is nearing a decision and aims to conclude his recruitment within the next week or so. Robinson is currently ranked as the No. 131 recruit in the 2024 recruiting class. Given that the Wolverines have recently lost a substantial amount of talent on the defensive side of the football, especially at edge rusher, Robinson could be a major addition for Jim Harbaugh.

It doesn’t appear that Robinson is favoring the Wolverines right now, although Michigan football recruiting has seen significant changes recently, so anything is possible. At one point this year, it seemed highly likely that Ann Arbor would be Robinson’s eventual destination; however, his recruitment has become much more complicated in recent months.

If Jim Harbaugh can land Robinson, it would be huge for the 2024 recruiting class

The remaining schools in contention, aside from Michigan football, are Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Penn State. According to the RPM, Robinson’s preferred landing spot right now is the Kentucky Wildcats, with the Maize and Blue firmly in contention at the No. 2 spot.

As per the On3 industry rankings, Robinson is a highly sought-after four-star Michigan football target, ranking as the No. 131 player nationally, the No. 9 edge rusher in the 2024 recruiting class, and the No. 5 player in the state of Ohio.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten 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 Publisher at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. 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!

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Major Michigan football target set to visit Penn State white out

This major Michigan football recruiting target, Bryce Underwood, is about to make the trip for a Penn State white out game.

Published

1 day ago

September 20, 2023

CJ Mangum

Michigan football, recruiting, Bryce Underwood, Penn State white out

This weekend is one of the biggest on this year’s college football calendar and is arguably the biggest of the season thus far. While the Wolverines kick off their Big Ten slate, top-priority Michigan football recruiting target Bryce Underwood — a five-star QB — will be in Happy Valley for the Penn State white out game. Underwood, who is the No. 1 recruit in the nation, is thought to be favoring the Maize and Blue right now; however, there are a number of schools still making a strong push.

Top Michigan football recruiting target Bryce Underwood to visit Penn State white out

The Penn State Nittany Lions are not currently considered a major threat to Michigan football recruiting when it comes to top-ranked target Bryce Underwood. That said, this weekend’s Penn State white out game against a ranked Iowa squad, which is led by former Michigan quarterback and Big Ten Champion Cade McNamara, could change things if James Franklin plays his cards right.

With Underwood’s commitment date (Jan. 6th, 2024) approaching quickly, a number of teams are starting to make a strong push for the elite five-star QB. Underwood is the No. 1 recruit in the nation, per On3 and 247 Sports composite, and is currently leaning towards the Wolverines, per the Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Still, teams like LSU, Colorado, Ohio State, and clearly, Penn State, are still in the mix, so seeing where this weekend’s white out visit leads could be a good storyline to track for fans of the Maize and Blue.

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Three-star Michigan football commit continues to impress

This three-star Michigan football commit has been nothing short of impressive so far this fall.

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2023

CJ Mangum

Michigan football, Micah Kaapana, 2024 recruiting class

The Wolverines, known for their rushing attack under Jim Harbaugh, have a few incredible running back recruits currently locked down in the 2024 recruiting class. That said, as four-star Jordan Marshall (the top player in the class) continues to impress, three-star Michigan football commit Micah Kaapana is being overlooked a bit. Still, the Las Vegas-based future Wolverine continues to impress each week.

Three-star Michigan football commit continues to impress

So far this year, Micah Kaapana has played in all five of his school’s games and is averaging over 12 yards per carry this fall. Kaapana is one of the more recent Michigan football commits, as he officially pledged to the Wolverines earlier this year.

While he is not the highest-ranked recruit in Jim Harbaugh’s 2024 recruiting class — he is a three-star Michigan football commit — he has been quite impressive so far.

Micah Kaapana is averaging over 12 yards per carry, nearly 12 yards per reception

Last weekend, Micah Kaapana carried the ball five times for 61 yards (12.2 yards per carry) during his school’s fifth-straight victory of the season. His solid rushing performance moves him to 436 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns so far this year. The fact that he has only received 36 carries and is posting stats like these (averaging 12.1 yards per carry) is quite impressive.

The three-star Michigan football commit has been a solid pass-catching back as well, hauling in 11 receptions thus far for over 130 yards (11.8 yards per reception). This is a skillset that Sherrone Moore is trying to optimize with Donovan Edwards right now, so Kaapana should fit right in when he gets to Ann Arbor next fall.

The future of the program is in good hands with the 2024 recruiting cycle

While Micah Kaapana is not getting the publicity that other top Michigan football commits are, he is a great find for the coaching staff and could be a difference-maker for the Wolverines in years to come.