Where Michigan 2023 NFL Draft picks were rated as recruits
Michigan Wolverines football enjoyed another successful NFL Draft in 2023, with nine players picked, the third-most in the head coach Jim Harbaugh era. The Maize and Blue are widely viewed as one of the top developmental programs in the country, and this year’s draft class exemplifies that.
Michigan’s nine draft picks trailed only Alabama and Georgia, both of which had 10. Those two SEC powers, though, averaged top three and top two recruiting hauls nationally, respectively, from 2017-20, the four classes that made up the majority of this year’s draft class. Michigan’s average recruiting class was slotted 10.75 in the country during that time period.
| School (2023 picks) | 4-Yr. Average Rank (2017-20) | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| Alabama (10) | 2.75 | 1st | 7th | 1st | 2nd |
| Georgia (10) | 1.75 | 3rd | 1st | 2nd | 1st |
| Michigan (9) | 10.75 | 4th | 22nd | 7th | 10th |
| TCU (8) | 29.5 | 39th | 28th | 27th | 24th |
| Ohio State (6) | 6 | 2nd | 2nd | 15th | 5th |
| Penn State (6) | 11.5 | 17th | 5th | 10th | 14th |
| Florida (6) | 11.5 | 10th | 17th | 11th | 8th |
| Clemson (6) | 7.25 | 11th | 6th | 9th | 3rd |
| Oregon (6) | 13.75 | 20th | 15th | 8th | 12th |
| Pittsburgh (6) | 42.5 | 34th | 42nd | 53rd | 41st |
| LSU (6) | 6.5 | 7th | 10th | 5th | 4th |
Michigan’s draft class is comprised of four four-stars, three three-stars and two unranked recruits, per the On3 Industry Rankings.
The biggest testaments to Michigan’s development chops are tight end Luke Schoonmaker and wide receiver Ronnie Bell. Schoonmaker was the No. 796 overall player in the 2018 class but taken No. 58 overall by the Dallas Cowboys. Bell, a two-star recruit per one service, was a three-star by the industry rankings but was picked at the tail end of the seventh round — No. 253 to the San Francisco 49ers — after leading Michigan in receiving yards three of his four healthy seasons.
Defensive tackle Mazi Smith was the No. 100 prospect in the 2019 class but went No. 26 to the Dallas Cowboys — also impressive — marking the Wolverines’ first player at that position off the board in the first round since 1985. Speedy cornerback DJ Turner, too was a four-star, ranking No. 369 in the 2019 class, but turned into the No. 60 draft pick.
And then there are the specialists. Michigan has become a top special teams program, led by coordinator Jay Harbaugh. The Wolverines have ranked top-15 nationally in Football Outsiders’ special teams efficiency ratings in four of the last five seasons, including a No. 1 finish in 2021 and a No. 8 conclusion in 2022. The Maize and Blue are just the second program in the last 40 years to have both a kicker (Jake Moody in the third round) and punter (Brad Robbins in the sixth round) be selected in the same draft.
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Here’s a look at Michigan’s nine draftees and how they were ranked coming out of high school.
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DT Mazi Smith — first round, No. 26 overall to the Dallas Cowboys
Class: 2019
High school: Grand Rapids (Mich.) East Kentwood
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 100 overall player, No. 14 defensive tackle, fourth-best prospect in Michigan
TE Luke Schoonmaker — second round, No. 58 overall to the Dallas Cowboys
Class: 2018
High school: Hamden (Conn.) Hall
On3 Industry Ranking: Three-star, No. 796 overall player, No. 41 tight end, third-best prospect in Connecticut
CB DJ Turner — second round, No. 60 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals
Class: 2019
High school: Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 369 overall player, No. 36 cornerback, 44th-best prospect in Florida
K Jake Moody — third round, No. 99 overall to the San Francisco 49ers
Class: 2018
High school: Northville (Mich.) High
On3 Industry Ranking: Unranked; five-star player by Kornblue Kicking (No. 1) and Kohl’s Kicking (No. 14)
DL Mike Morris — fifth round, No. 151 overall to the Seattle Seahawks
Class: 2019
High school: Delray Beach (Fla.) American Heritage
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 383 overall player, No. 34 edge rusher, 45th-best prospect in Florida
OL Olu Oluwatimi — fifth round, No. 154 overall to the Seattle Seahawks
Class: 2017
High school: Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic
On3 Industry Ranking: Unranked; two-star on 247Sports Composite
P Brad Robbins — sixth round, No. 217 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals
Class: 2017
High school: Westerville (Ohio) South
On3 Industry Ranking: Three-star, No. 2,075 overall player, No. 8 punter, 77th-best prospect in Ohio
OL Ryan Hayes — seventh round, No. 238 overall to the Miami Dolphins
Class: 2018
High school: Traverse City (Mich.) West
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 361 overall player, No. 27 offensive tackle, No. 6 prospect in Michigan
WR Ronnie Bell — seventh round, No. 253 overall to the San Francisco 49ers
Class: 2018
High school: Kansas City (Mo.) Park Hill
On3 Industry Ranking: Three-star, No. 1,413 overall player, No. 220 wide receiver, 16th-best player in Missouri
