breeon ishmail

Previously: Last year’s profiles, K Adam Samaha, K James Turner (Tr), S Brandyn Hillman, CB DJ Waller, CB Cameron Calhoun, CB Jyaire Hill, HSP/LB Jason Hewlett, LB Hayden Moore, LB Semaj Bridgeman, LB Ernest Hausmann (Tr).

Cincinnati (Princeton HS), OH – 6'4"/220
		247: 6'4/220                     3.50*	3*, 86 #96 ATH, #39 OH
		On3: 6'4/216                     3.12*	3*, 83 #116 ATH, #81 OH
		Rivals: 6'5/204                     3.66*	3*, 5.6 NR ATH, #25 OH
		ESPN: 6'5/200                     3.56*	3*, 76, #93 MW #72 OLB, #30 OH
		Composite       3.60* / 3.47*	3*, #1107/#1203 Ovr #91/58 ATH, #33/37 OH
		MGoAverage                     3.46*	3*, #713/787 Ovr #80/85 Edges since '90
		YMRMFSPA	Jaylen Harrell
Other Suitors	Kentucky, also Cincy, Tenn, WVU, Purdue
Previously On MGoBlog	Hello by Alex Drain.
Notes	Sr season transfer from Hamilton (same div.)
Film:
Midseason 2022: Hudl.

It was Michigan that declared war on the Holy Roman Buckeye Empire, not the other way around, which the longtime masters of the Midwest thought kind of funny. But even after years of fighting, many observers still considered the Blues' confidence little more than Girondin bluster. So when a young Steve Clinkscale marched into Cincinnati and defeated a small army from the Kingdom of Kentucky, nobody—this site included—could have imagined the petit général was on his way to redrawing the map of Midwest recruiting.

Obviously, Clinkscale's conquests could not have happened if not prefaced by a decisive victory in Columbus, the second comprehensive defeat of overconfident Buckeye forces in as many years. But the commitment of Breeon Ishmail before the Kentuckians' allies could intervene was the first sign the empire's own territories might be in jeopardy. Worse, the locals didn't even seem to mind the occupiers from Michigan, admiring their progressive ideas about NFL-style hybridity, economic Herbertization, and meritocratic promotion up the depth chart even for low 3-stars.

Général Clinkscale quickly followed his triumph at Princeton High with a string of commitments in Ohio territory. Jason Hewlett, of Clinkscale's hometown of Youngstown, went to the Blues hours later. Cameron Calhoun overthrew a Cincinnati commitment to join him. Within days, Avon Park's massive citadel of Luke Hamilton declared for Michigan, and Hewlett's teammate DJ Waller, Auroan transfer AJ Barner, and St. Xavier's Ted Hammond were soon in Wolverine hands. Desperate Buckeye defenders cried out for reinforcements, but they were too late to stop Clinkscale from linking up with Mike Hart, and taking the key fortress of Jordan Marshall, opening a path to 2024 #1 Ohio prospect Aaron Scott, and perhaps Columbus itself.

When historians look back on the dissolution of the Holy Buckeye Empire, they note the characteristic corruption and brittleness of ultraconservative governments, contrast the rule of Ryan von Thirdbase with his more august predecessor Emperor Urban I, and cite external factors like harsh winter conditions and illness within the Buckeyestrian ranks. But as much as it pains this historian to adopt a talking point from the largely discredited Great Man Theory, some part of the explanation must also be reserved for the brilliance and audacity of Clinkscale's Cincinnati campaign, which began with the taking of Breeon Ishmail.

Or perhaps they'll just say we got a bon pass rusher.

[After THE JUMP: Potential ramifications for future Ohio Statean passers.]

The second 2023 Hello from the state of Ohio comes from Breeon Ishmail, a LB commit that Michigan picked up the day before The Game. He is the second of two true LB commits in the 2023 class to this point, after Pennsylvania's Semaj Bridgeman. Ishmail is from the Cincinnati area and one of two Cincy kids in Michigan's 23 class, joining CB Cameron Calhoun, who committed one day after him. 

GURU RATINGS

Size is pretty consistent, 6'4 or 6'5 and in the 200-220 lb. range. Ishmail is a Who Dat recruit to all the services, with On3 being the lowest, ranking him outside the top 75 in Ohio. The aggregates thus peg him in the 700-1000 range, making him one of the lowest rated (non-kicker) recruits in Michigan's 2023 class. 

[AFTER THE JUMP: LB or EDGE?]

Michigan added another player to its 2023 recruiting class today in picking up 3* Breeon Ishmail from Cincinnati: 

God’s timing〽️#AGTG🙏🏿#LLJ💛#GoBlue @coachclink @Coach_Minter @CoachJim4UM @UMichFootball pic.twitter.com/37268bODGO

— big bree🎸❤️ (@BreeonAntonio) November 25, 2022

Ishmail is listed as a defensive athlete, with 24/7 measuring him at 6'4", 220 lbs. Linebacker seems to be his most natural position but Michigan has some flexibility to move him depending on how he responds to the weight room. He is the #862 player in the composite nationally, so a very under-the-radar recruit. Michigan did not show interest until rather recently, but got the job done quickly once they decided he was a take. There is no content after the jump.