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What's so significant about Michigan being hot on the recruiting trail

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•06/14/23•

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(Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images)

The Michigan Wolverines are hot on the recruiting trail, carrying the momentum of the last two years on the field.

On3’s J.D. PicKell explained why that was significant for Jim Harbaugh and company. Not only do you have to keep pace or stay ahead of Ohio State, you have to catch up to some teams in the SEC to consistently compete for the College Football Playoff.

PicKell broke it down on The Hard Count.

“Michigan before we got on air had a top five class in the country, a top five class in the country,” PicKell said. “I’ll just say this for Michigan, as good as they have been the last couple of years, they have done it without the most talented roster in the Big Ten. And so why is this significant for Michigan? Well now, you already take a school that’s kind of known as a developmental program, like a school that you know you get them to campus and then you get the very most out of them when they’re there. Like that’s a big piece of it.” 

Currently, Michigan has the No. 5 overall recruiting class in the 2024 cycle, per the On3 Industry Ranking. The Wolverines raked in 11 four-star recruits and eight three-star recruits.

Michigan was No. 18 in the 2023 cycle, grabbing nine four-stars and 16 three-stars.

“But now, what if you get better ingredients,” PicKell said. “What if you just have more talent on your roster and you develop that? Well, then I think Michigan becomes very dangerous. And so for Michigan, the fact they’ve recruited at an elite level is not something we should overlook, because it’s not something they’ve done super consistently, at least the last couple of years. 

“And I think you’re seeing some dividends from Jim Harbaugh making a point that he’s gonna be around from what we can gather. Think you’re seeing the dividends from what they’ve done on the field, beating Ohio State twice, being in the College Football Playoff the last two seasons. I think Michigan is a hot brand right now and they’ve had a big official visit weekend this past weekend. Michigan’s hot right now, and that is dangerous for the rest of the college football landscape. So keep an eye on the Wolverines.”

It’s time to really pay attention to the recruiting trail for the Wolverines, but if they land a five-star prospect, the entire country should pivot and pay attention.