Watch out for Michigan’s massive freshman defensive tackle in 2023

The talk of the town in Ann Arbor revolves around star players like JJ McCarthy, Blake Corum, Rod Moore, and others. Still, Jim Harbaugh recently inked a new recruiting class, and some standout freshmen are already emerging. One Michigan football player to watch in 2023 is Michigan freshman defensive tackle Brooks Bahr, who boasts a massive frame and could see some solid reps throughout his first year in the Maize and Blue this fall.

Watch out for Michigan freshman defensive tackle Brooks Bahr in 2023

Not many people were talking about Brooks Bahr as a high school recruit. Bahr was not a highly rated prospect; in fact, he was a 247 Sports Composite 3-star recruit and was ranked as the No. 670 player in the 2023 class, the No. 71 defensive lineman, and the No. 13 recruit in Illinois.

Still, despite being a true freshman, Bahr has an enormous 6-foot-6, 280-pound frame and could be an impactful defensive tackle along a reloading defensive interior for the Wolverines this fall. I don’t see him earning a ton of reps just yet, though his massive presence makes it hard not to throw him onto the field early on to see what he can do. Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh is already high on this Michigan freshman defensive tackle ahead of the season.

“Well, big, athletic,” Jim Harbaugh said of Bahr following National Signing Day. “Brooks, state champion and defensive lineman of the year in the Catholic League out of Chicago. Chicago has become a hotbed again for Michigan.

“It was in my time when I played here. And it certainly is now. You look around at this current team, great bunch of guys that are from Chicago, including the quarterback, J.J. McCarthy and Trevor Keegan and AJ Henning. It’s a really good long list there. But Brooks is a very versatile player he can play end, he can play tackle, super smart. He wants to also major in business.”

Additionally, Bahr is excited to be a Wolverine and to prove himself at the next level.

“I committed to Michigan because it was simply the right fit,” Bahr told The Michigan Insider. “I loved the whole coaching staff and how they see me fitting in their defense. In addition to their football program, the school offers everything I’m looking for academically. After visiting this weekend, I knew right away this is the place I want to be. I decided not to waste any of the coaches time that are recruiting me elsewhere. I just have my heart set on playing for Michigan and didn’t want to string anyone along.”

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