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.

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