Meet The Commits: Overview of Michigan's 2023 recruiting class

The Michigan Wolverines’ 2023 football recruiting class now has 14 pledges and is currently ranked as the No. 24 haul in the country. We’ve provided background info on each commit below (in chronological order from the newest pledge to the oldest) and will update as the cycle continues.

Carlsbad (Calif.) High TE Zack Marshall

Height: 6-4

Weight: 220

2021 Stats: 44 receptions, 1,012 yards, 9 touchdowns

Quick Biography: Michigan notched a commitment from four-star tight end Deakon Tonielli earlier this summer and planned on only taking one prospect at the position this cycle. However, new Michigan tight ends coach Grant Newsome brought Marshall in for a workout during the BBQ at The Big House and was extremely impressed with his performance. In fact, Marshall earned an offer before leaving Ann Arbor. Marshall has an extremely productive junior year at Solona Beach (Calif.) Santa Fe Christian and will play his senior year at Carlsbad (Calif.)High.

He said it: “The Michigan BBQ was a great time. They really take care of their players and recruits. I’m so grateful to have received an offer to play for the amazing program. I really love the whole coaching staff and people within the organization.”

On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 36 athlete, No. 698 overall recruit

Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga OL Evan Link

Height: 6-6

Weight: 290

Quick Biography: Link surprised many when he picked Michigan over Penn State and Stanford this summer. After all, Link was considered a heavy Penn State lean for the majority of the cycle and canceled his June official visit to Michigan. However, Michigan quietly got Link on campus for the BBQ at The Big House and earned his commitment on the spot. Link may start in the interior early on in his collegiate career but projects as more of a true tackle. Link is the second highest ranked commit in U-M’s class.

On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 21 offensive tackle, No. 125 overall recruit

Paris, France EDGE Aymeric Koumba

Height: 6-4

Weight: 230

Quick Biography: Koumba camped in front of Michigan defensive line coach Mike Elston twice this summer and committed shortly after earning an offer. A three-star prospect, Koumba picked Michigan over offers from Colorado, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and UConn. Koumba plays at the club level in France and helped lead his Paris Pionniers de Touraine team to a national title this season. Koumba works closely with former NFL player Brandon Collier of PPI Recruits. Elston and Collier have a strong relationship dating back to the former’s time at Notre Dame.

He said it: “I knew about Michigan because of the pass rushers like (Aidan) Hutchinson and (David) Ojabo. I’m a big fan of Ojabo, I want to play like him. A guy like him motivates me. To have the chance to be at the same place as him is really good.”

On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 72 EDGE, No. 867 overall recruit

Colleyville (Texas) Covenant EDGE Enow Etta

Height: 6’5

Weight: 260

2021 Stats: 124 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, 22.5 sacks

Quick Biography: Michigan won this head-to-head recruiting battle over Michigan State. While the Spartans pitched NIL hard, Etta valued Michigan’s ability to develop players for the next level as well as its elite academics. A Top 150 prospect, Etta is the highest rated recruit in Michigan’s 2023 recruiting class. Etta has only been playing football for three years and has a tremendous ceiling. While he’s already 260 pounds, Etta plans to cut some weight and stick at EDGE as opposed to spinning down. Etta works with premier trainer and former NFL player Tank Reed.

He said it: “Michigan really has the best of both worlds. I want to do engineering and computer science. I believe they are the No. 7 engineering school in the country. On the football side, they just won the Big Ten championship last year. The football is a no-brainer. The academics are big. I don’t really see that anywhere else.”

On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 14 defensive lineman, No. 142 overall recruit

Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) High EDGE Collins Acheampong

Height: 6’8

Weight: 254

Quick Biography: Acheampong committed to Michigan over Miami in a highly-contested recruiting battle. Miami made a huge NIL push, but at the end of the day, Acheampong sided with U-M’s transformational process. A native of Ghana, Acheampong originally moved to the United States to play basketball. He only has one year of football experience under his belt, making him a high upside take. Acheampong started his high school career at Anaheim (Calif.) Prep but transferred to Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) High this offseason. That means Acheampong will get to showcase his talents in the Trinity League, the toughest high school football conference in America.

He said it: “They have a good setup and plan. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. They have something that’s working. My goal is to make to the first round in the league. They already have a working prototype for someone my size, height and skillset.”

On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 33 EDGE, No. 257 overall recruit

West Bloomfield (Mich.) High offensive lineman Amir Herring

Height: 6’3

Weight: 290

Quick Biography: Herring committed to Michigan over offers from Nebraska, Michigan State, Missouri, and others. There were some ups and down in this recruitment but Michigan cleared up any issues or discrepancies on his official visit. Herring is a big get for Michigan, not only for being an offensive lineman, but landing another elite in-state talent. Herring is one of the safest offensive line takes nationally this cycle. He projects as a true interior offensive lineman and was a top overall performer at Under Armour’s premier Future 50 camp this offseason. Herring played for Michigan assistant Ron Bellamy at West Bloomfield.

He said it: “It feels great to be committed to Michigan. I feel like I made a really great decision. Overall, I’m blessed and fortunate. I can’t wait to build this class. I’m already going after guys. We’re excited about the future.”

On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 19 interior offensive lineman, No. 282 overall recruit

Philadelphia (Pa.) Imhotep Charter linebacker Semaj Bridgeman

Height: 6’1

Weight: 235

Quick Biography: Bridgeman picked the Wolverines over offers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Michigan State, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M and a number of other major programs. Bridgeman has an impressive build at 6-foot-1, 235 pounds (height isn’t concerning for inside backers) with long arms. He doesn’t look slow at his weight. In fact, Bridgeman moves well in space and shows adequate speed. Bridgeman possesses the traits necessary to excel in this scheme. Bridgeman is the only linebacker commit in Michigan’s 2023 recruiting class so far.

On3 Consensus ranking: No. 23 linebacker, No. 274 overall recruit

St. Louis (Mo.) Cardinal Ritter wide receiver Fredrick Moore

Height: 6’0

Weight: 180

2021 Stats: 41 receptions, 1,010 receiving yards, 12 receiving touchdowns

Quick Biography: Moore picked the Wolverines over offers from Boston College, Illinois, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Texas A&M, West Virginia, Wisconsin and others. Moore is a very solid, productive football player that put up more than 1,000 yards receiving last year and also made plays as a return man. Moore is a guy that can quietly string together very solid performances at the next level and be a contributor in the rotation. Moore also showed flashes of his ability this offseason, helping lead Midwest Boom to an appearance in the Pylon 7v7 National Championship.

He said it: “I committed to Michigan because I love Coach (Ron) Bellamy and the winning spirit in Ann Arbor. I felt like it was home for me and my family. It’s somewhere my family can send me and trust me. I just love the city and the program.”

On3 Consensus ranking: No. 71 wide receiver, No. 494 overall recruit

Oswego (Ill.) High tight end Deakon Tonielli

Height: 6’6

Weight: 215

2021 Stats: 25 receptions, 440 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns

Quick Biography: Tonielli picked the Wolverines over offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Iowa State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Tennessee and others. On the hoof, Toniellli is an impressive looking athlete. He is a legit 6-foot-5 and is definitely filling out well. While he’s listed at 215 pounds, Tonielli is has added some good weight this offseason and has a good build in his upper and lower halves. Tonielli is also a star basketball player for Oswego, and that athleticism is on full display on the football field on Friday nights.

He said it: “Michigan is just a great program. I love their tradition. I love the brotherhood. They have a great business school, too.”

On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 24 tight end, No. 487 overall recruit

Kennesaw (Ga.) North Cobb running back Benjamin Hall

Height: 5’10

Weight: 227

2021 Stats: 95 carries, 543 rushing yards (5.7 ypc), 8 touchdowns

Quick Biography: Hall chose the Wolverines over offers from Boston College, Minnesota, NC State, Purdue, Virginia, Wisconsin and others. Hall is a well built back with a thick lower half. Hall had a lower production year in 2021 due to the passing game of his offense and splitting carries with other backs. His 2022 season is set up to be much higher production. Hall has notched offers from Miami and Georgia Tech since his commitment to U-M in late March but has remained fully solid.

He said it: “I was able to feel that the people there are really genuine and truly want to help you succeed on and off the field. I think that was a good idea for me to do that on the visit. It helped me get away from only seeing the trophies and the glamour that is shown. I got a good look into the real world in Ann Arbor and I liked it.”

On3 Consensus ranking: No. 48 running back, No. 692 overall recruit

Wilmette (Ill.) Loyola Academy defensive lineman Brooks Bahr

Height: 6’6

Weight: 265

2021 Stats: 46 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 9 QB hurries, 1 forced fumble

Quick Biography: Bahr picked the Wolverines over offers from Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Northwestern, Purdue, Vanderbilt, Wisconsin and others. Along with an athletic frame, Bahr already has plenty of power, and that will only get better once he gets into Michigan’s strength and conditioning program and adds the necessary weight. He’s a smart kid in the classroom, was a coach’s favorite and was the first recruiting win for new Michigan defensive line coach Mike Elston.

He said it: “Playing in The Big House has always been a dream of mine. I made a visit there and loved the whole atmosphere. The facilities are really nice. The rich tradition stands out as well as having the opportunity to play for a national championship. The fanbase is awesome, too.”

Consensus ranking: No. 63 defensive lineman, No. 571 overall recruit

Dexter (Mich.) High running back Cole Cabana

Height: 5’11

Weight: 170

2021 Stats: 1,688 rushing yards, 2,187 all-purpose yards and 28 total touchdowns

Quick Biography: Cabana is a speedy running back with a recorded 4.34 40-yard dash and 10.5 100m time. Pairs elite high end speed with impressive acceleration and stop-start ability. Shows to be an effective pass-catcher and could even play some slot receiver if needed. Cabana landed an offer from Michigan in January after the staff visited Dexter and quickly shut his recruitment down in early February to commit to the Wolverines, despite growing up a Michigan State fan.

He said it: “It was a pretty big deal around here. Everybody is a Michigan fan, for the most part. I’ve been up there a couple of times. I’m close with Mike Hart. It was definitely great to get an offer on the visit. I sat down with (Jim) Harbaugh, and he offered me.”

Consensus ranking: No. 11 running back, No. 230 overall recruit

West Bloomfield (MI.) wide receiver Semaj Morgan

Height: 5’9

Weight: 178lbs

2021 Stats: 61 receptions for 1,015 yards and 13 receiving touchdowns along with 10 kick returns for 291 yards and one touchdown in 13 games

Quick Biography: Morgan committed to Michigan on Dec. 1 over offers from Missouri, Ole Miss and Memphis. Morgan visited Michigan for multiple games in the 2021 season and has been a vocal leader for the Wolverines this offseason. Morgan played for Michigan wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy at West Bloomfield, and that relationship played a big role in Morgan siding with the Wolverines. Morgan is a quick, shifty slot receiver that should play an AJ Henning-type of role in Ann Arbor.

He said it: “I felt like every time I was at Michigan, there was something bigger, better and newer than the last time I was there. It never disappointed me. I felt like it was the right time and choice. Michigan is also on a winning streak right now, and spots are going to fill up. I wanted to guarantee my spot.”

On3 Consensus ranking: No. 75 wide receiver, No. 503 overall recruit

Ann Arbor (MI.) Huron kicker Adam Samaha

Height: 6’0

Weight: 170lbs

Quick Biography: The first member to join the 2023 class, Adam Samaha is ranked as the nation’s top kicking prospect by Kornblue Kicking. Michigan was the first and only school to extend an offer to Samaha. The Wolverines hosted him for an unofficial visit for the BBQ at The Big House and immediately became the frontrunners in his recruitment. Samaha gave the Wolverines a verbal pledge on Thanksgiving Day.

He said it: “Thanksgiving is a holiday where you show thanks and gratitude for everything you have. It was a perfect time to commit to the University of Michigan. There are great things that come with the University of Michigan such as the great academics and the great football program.”

On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 5 kicker, No. 1,625 overall recruit