Four things Michigan Wolverines fans should celebrate this Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is all about the United State and celebrating its independence. Those of us who reside in the U.S. live in the greatest country on Earth. Sincerely, we thank all of the troops and veterans for serving our great nation — we’re the land of the free because of your bravery — and are thinking of you all on this day. Naturally, though, too, Michigan fans have the Wolverines on their minds, always.

Below, we break down four more reasons to celebrate this Fourth of July.

1. Football is right around the corner

Don’t wish the summer away — enjoy it. But while you do, have in the back of your mind that Michigan football is coming soon (we know we don’t have to tell the diehards this). This is one of the most anticipated seasons we can remember, coming off the program’s first Big Ten title since 2004 and first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. The schedule sets up nicely, and it may come down to ‘The Game’ in Columbus at the end of the regular season.

TheWolverine.com team is headed to Indianapolis for Big Ten Media Days in a matter of weeks. It’s hard to believe we’re so close to football, in some ways, but we’re elated at the same time.

2. A loaded Michigan offense / J.J. McCarthy is healthy

Michigan sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy told TheWolverine.com June 18 that he was roughly two weeks away from being 100 percent. Well, that amount of time has passed, and if things went according to plan, McCarthy is “full go.” There’s about one month until fall camp begins, and he’s going to have a shot to win the starting signal-caller job.

Regardless of who wins the quarterback battle, Michigan returns an embarrassment of riches on the offensive line and at wide receiver, tight end and running back. Whoever is behind center will be surrounded with loads of talent.

For the first time in the head coach Jim Harbaugh era, the offense enters the season significantly ahead of the defense. The latter should improve throughout time, just like last season, so there’s no reason to panic about that side of the ball. But there’s no doubt the offense should provide for some fireworks this fall, and that’s exciting.

3. New football commitments

Michigan football went nearly three months between commitments, before adding Oswego (Ill.) High four-star tight end Deakon Tonielli June 19. The momentum still isn’t where Michigan fans want it to be, but the Wolverines added St. Louis (Mo.) Cardinal Ritter three-star wideout Fredrick Moore and Warminster (Pa.) Archbishop Wood four-star linebacker Semaj Bridgeman July 1.

Several more potential commitments are on the horizon, including that of West Bloomfield (Mich.) High four-star offensive lineman Amir Herring, who’ll make an announcement July 7. According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), the Wolverines are also the favorites for Colleyville (Texas) Covenant Christian Academy four-star EDGE Enow Etta, Peoria (Ariz.) Liberty four-star defensive lineman My’Keil Gardner, Buford (Ga.) High three-star offensive lineman Paul Mubenga, Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnett four-star defensive lineman Kayden McDonald, Anaheim (Calif.) Fairmont Prep four-star EDGE Collins Acheampong and Westfield (N.J.) Hun School three-star offensive lineman Logan Howland.

Michigan is set to host plenty of important recruits at the ‘BBQ At The Big House’ later this month, too. The Wolverines’ recruiting efforts typically begin to pay off in the late summer and into the fall, so look out for more additions to the 2023 class in the coming weeks.

4. Michigan basketball roster is set

Michigan’s roster is complete, with the Wolverines sitting at 13 scholarship players. And despite having a whopping seven newcomers, junior center Hunter Dickinson is the Big Ten’s top returning player and will give them a chance in every game. On top of that, a lot of the new faces are great talents, and other returners are expected to make big jumps.

The Wolverines didn’t make many big splashes this offseason, but the moves they did make were important. Adding Princeton point guard Jaelin Llewellyn and Duke wing Joey Baker out of the transfer adds some experience to the rotation. Llewellyn will have a huge role as the likely starting point guard, while Baker will be a role player who specializes in shooting, something Michigan desperately needed more of last season.

Additionally, the Maize and Blue reeled in 2022 Lebanese wing Youssef Khayat. He was a late commitment, is playing with the Lebanese national team in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers and still has a visa to work out. But once he’s at Michigan, he should make an impact.

The Wolverines have enough to compete for the Big Ten title.