Consensus four-star WR Karmello English signs with Michigan over Kentucky

Michigan has scored a big win on the recruiting trail.

Consensus four-star 2023 Phenix City (Ala.) Central wide receiver Karmello English committed and signed with Michigan over fellow finalist Kentucky on National Signing Day.

Michigan wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy made English his top target on the board and was able to seal the deal. The former Auburn commit made an unofficial visit to Michigan in October and informed the staff of his decision on Tuesday.

“Coach Bellamy can develop a young man at wide receiver and can develop a young man in life,” said English’s trainer and mentor Adrian Steele said. “I think it’s a good fit for Karmello. He’s a cool guy. He’s a straight up coach. I don’t have anything bad to say about Coach Bellamy.”

Steele added that he believes English could make an immediate impact at Michigan.

“He could add an element at Michigan that they might be missing,” Steele said. “He can be like the dynamic receivers that you see around the country. He can help them Day 1. Michigan has one of the best running games in the problem. If you can get him 1-on-1, that would present a major league problem for defenses. He can be a rock star over there.”

English can play on the outside or in the slot and helped lead Central to a state title appearance this season. English excelled as a senior and was named an Under Armour All-American.

“His hands and route running make him special,” Steele said. “He’s super competitive. That’s the main thing about him. He does not like to lose. You really want that type of kid. He loves football. He loves the weight room and working in the offseason. You’ve seen him in 7v7 and know he can make all the catches. I told you he was going to be the top guy in 2023.

“This year, he played the slot because he was being a team player. They have some other P5 wide receivers on his team, and he still had 900 yards. He didn’t have as many flash plays, but once he goes back outside, you’ll see that. He can do it all.”

At 5-foot-11, 182 pounds, English is ranked as the No. 25 wide receiver and No. 191 overall prospect nationally, per the On3 Consensus.

Michigan has 22 commits in its 2023 recruiting class — On300 offensive lineman Nathan Efobi, On300 offensive tackle Evan Link, On300 EDGE Enow Etta, On300 running back Cole Cabana, On300 linebacker Semaj Bridgeman, consensus four-star offensive lineman Amir Herring, consensus four-star wide receiver Karmello English, four-star tight end Deakon Tonielli, three-star wide receivers Semaj Morgan and Fredrick Moore, three-star defensive linemen Brooks Bahr and Roderick Pierce, three-star running back Benjamin Hall, three-star EDGE Aymeric Koumba, three-star tight end Zack Marshall, three-star athletes Kendrick Bell and Breeon Ishmail, three-star linebackers Jason Hewlett and Hayden Moore, three-star cornerback Cameron Calhoun and three-star kicker Adam Samaha.  

Michigan entered the day ranked No. 20 in the On3 Consensus national team recruiting rankings for the 2023 cycle