Early Signing Day Primer 2023
It's not a dramatic one, we hope, but welcome to Early Signing Day for the 2024 class. Our recruiting board lives here. Our Signing Day Livepod with Steve Lorenz of 247 will be at noon. Tune in on Youtube or catch the podcast version afterwards. We'll have this page stickied most of the day so scroll down for news that posts.
OTHER THINGS POSTED TODAY THAT GOT BUMPED:
- MGoRadio 9:13: Signing Day Espectaculo. With Steve Lorenz of 247. Podcast runs through the entire class, including those we forgot.
- Hello: Lugard Edokpayi. Picked up a freaky high ceiling at edge at the buzzer.
- Maryland LB Jaishawn Barham committed. Yoinked a highly productive LB from a conference rival.
THE CLASS AS IT STANDS
This section will be updated as the faxes come in. Last update: 3:13 PM.
| OFFENSE | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Player | State | Stars | In a nutshell | LOI |
| QB | Jadyn Davis | NC | 4.4⬇⬇⬇ | Smooth, accurate field general | ✔️ |
| RB | Jordan Marshall | OH | 4.5 | Accelerates South-North | ✔️ |
| RB | Micah Ka'apana | NV | 3.9⬆⬆ | Well-balanced accelerator | ✔️ |
| FB | Zach Ludwig | PA | 3.4 | Is fullback | ✔️ |
| WR | I'Marion Stewart | IL | 4.0⬆ | Ronnie slick/quick, #1 WR to M | ✔️ |
| WR | Channing Goodwin | NC | 3.7⬇ | Chain-moving son of Jon | ✔️ |
| TE | Brady Prieskorn | MI | 4.3⬇⬇ | Colston Loveland Midwest | ✔️ |
| TE | Hogan Hansen | WA | 4.0⬇⬇ | Colston Loveland West | ✔️ |
| LT | Blake Frazier | TX | 4.2 | Athletic son of Steve | ✔️ |
| RT | Andrew Sprague | MO | 4.3⬆ | Basketballin' grow-a-Long | ✔️ |
| RG | Luke Hamilton | OH | 3.9⬇ | Midwestern mauler | ✔️ |
| LG | Ben Roebuck | OH | 3.8⬇ | Bigger Midwestern mauler | ✔️ |
| C | Jake Guarnera | FL | 3.9⬆ | Mauler but center | ✔️ |
| DEFENSE | |||||
| Pos | Player | State | Stars | In a nutshell | LOI |
| NT | Deyvid Palepale | PA | 3.7⬇ | Penei's Alaskan nose cousin | ✔️ |
| DT | Manuel Beigel | CT | 3.5⬆ | Lengthy German via Choate | ✔️ |
| DT | Owen Wafle | NJ | 4.0 | Little nose with bite | ✔️ |
| DT | Ted Hammond | OH | 3.9⬇ | Cincy build-a-bear | ✔️ |
| SDE | Dominic Nichols | MD | 3.8⬆ | Mike Morris-ish SDE | ✔️ |
| Edge | Devon Baxter | MD | 3.9⬆⬆ | Super long 4-3 grow-an-edge. | ✔️ |
| Edge | Lugard Edokpayi | MD | 4.1⬆⬆⬆ | Raw DE with a crazy ceiling. | ✔️ |
| LB | Mason Curtis | TN | 4.1⬇⬇ | Long athlete moving up | ✔️ |
| LB | Jeremiah Beasley | MI | 4.0 | Explosive hitter from Belleville | ✔️ |
| LB | Jaden Smith | NC | 4.0 | Underscouted Uche/WLB | ✔️ |
| HSP | Cole Sullivan | PA | 4.0⬆⬆ | Hybrid LB with crazy athleticism | ✔️ |
| S | Jacob Oden | MI | 4.0⬇⬇ | Tall son of coach | ✔️ |
| CB | Jo'Ziah Edmond | IN | 4.0⬆⬆⬆ | PU decommit, long CB/WR ATH | ✔️ |
| Nk | Jeremiah Lowe | KY | 3.4 | Sainristilian athlete | ✔️ |
WHAT WE'RE WAITING ON
Edge prospect Lugard Edokpayi is choosing between Michigan and closer-to-home Maryland today. Announcement is at noon. The crystal balls point to Michigan after Edokpayi canceled an FSU trip to extend his Ann Arbor visit.
PROBABLY NOT SIGNING TODAY
Idaho WR Gatlin Bair is also still on the table, but is reportedly waiting until February. Michigan has led at several points to either side of his commitment and decommitment from Boise State, but Oregon has made up ground. He's also taking a Mormon mission for two years after he graduates so that's more of a 2026 class thing.
Michigan was still trying to pluck a receiver but IN 5* Nitro Tuggle signed with Georgia this morning, and Virginian 3-stars Mekhai White and Chanz Wiggins are expected to stick [update: stuck] with Maryland and Virginia Tech, respectively.
That's it. Sit back and watch Ohio State's class try to stay together, and we'll see you at noon.
December 20th, 2023 at 8:08 AM ^
i was hoping to get texts during the day, but can't figure this thing out.
this new technology has me all kerfuffled.
December 20th, 2023 at 8:22 AM ^
I have a working candlestick with a ringer but no dial. Sounds and looks cool. Same issue with texts though. Course, I also still have a landline. Mostly just now to listen to solicitors go to die and for my 6 and 7 year old kids' voices announcing we have been reached. So cute and embarrassing for them. They are 28 and 27 now. Love it.
December 20th, 2023 at 8:33 AM ^
This technology relies on Mabel, you'll have to track her down.
December 20th, 2023 at 10:55 AM ^
My grandmother was named Mabel. Always thought it was such a classic early 1900's name.
December 20th, 2023 at 11:49 AM ^
I had a Gladys and a Sylvia.
December 20th, 2023 at 2:47 PM ^
I know what Sylvia's Mother said!
December 20th, 2023 at 3:25 PM ^
She said Sylvia’s busy, too busy to come to the phone.
December 20th, 2023 at 1:52 PM ^
I had a girlfriend named Ida. She thought that about her own name.
December 21st, 2023 at 12:30 AM ^
My grandmother’s name was Ida Mae.
December 20th, 2023 at 2:02 PM ^
So I says to Mabel, I says...
December 20th, 2023 at 3:29 PM ^
i cannot be the only one who remembers mabel like this:
mabel!
another black label!
carling black label beer!
December 20th, 2023 at 3:46 PM ^
You are old. I know this because me recognizing this makes me realize that I am old.
December 20th, 2023 at 3:55 PM ^
we can have walker races to the beer cooler....
December 21st, 2023 at 11:27 AM ^
I heard it like this:
"Mabel, get off the table...
The money was for the beer!"
December 20th, 2023 at 8:24 AM ^
Fax? Why not just bring it on a dinosaur (Michael Scott)?
December 20th, 2023 at 8:39 AM ^
I'd sure love a pleasant Scott or West surprise. Here's to dreaming!
Update: Not likely. Looks like we'll have to get them from the portal after next year:)
December 20th, 2023 at 9:30 AM ^
OSU makes recruits share sunglasses. Come to Michigan.
December 20th, 2023 at 9:31 AM ^
the best part of getting an ohio state defensive back in the portal is that they get zero actual coaching, so you don't have to undo any bad habits.
December 20th, 2023 at 9:51 AM ^
osu: man, those turnover buffs are a good idea...
December 20th, 2023 at 8:40 AM ^
I'm nervous about Marshall...
December 20th, 2023 at 8:42 AM ^
Whew. See in the other post his LOI is in. I think he will be special, a real Buckeye Killer.
December 20th, 2023 at 9:20 AM ^
Luv this prospective class.
Let's go fellas -
Winning is winning.
Go Blue.
December 20th, 2023 at 9:25 AM ^
Looks like a great class overall. I always have hope for a signing day pleasant surprise.
December 20th, 2023 at 11:52 AM ^
Edokpayi just committed to Michigan.
https://x.com/RivalsFriedman/status/1737514570439078157?s=20
December 20th, 2023 at 9:26 AM ^
Did you drop your kids off at the pool? Awful cold today to be swimming.
December 20th, 2023 at 9:30 AM ^
i'm not a recruiting guy - i usually only skim the overall "where are we now" updates and wait for the "hello" posts - so i missed any previous mentions of the spectacularly-named 'nitro tuggle.'
i know less than nothing about that dude, my GOD, but i wish we'd gotten him.
December 20th, 2023 at 9:36 AM ^
2019 - 10th overall
2020 - 12th overall
2021 - 13th overall COVID season, Harbaugh trending out the door.
2022 - 12th overall 1st year in the playoff
2023 - 20th overall 2nd straight year in the playoff
2024 - 20th overall 3rd straight year in the playoff
Only Michigan could fumble on field success this badly. Really not setting ourselves up to compete in the new B1G or the new Power 2 structure.
December 20th, 2023 at 9:55 AM ^
Get outta here with this BS. This staff has proven that their development goes beyond how the recruiting services rate the kids. Look at Semaj Morgan this year as one of many examples. A mid-to-low 3* that shouldn't be contributing (Freshman WR's suck) has turned into a dangerous return man and decent contributor on offense. Michigan is bucking the trend that you need loaded class after class in order to compete, which you proved in your post. Three straight playoffs with no class in the top 10 since pre-COVID? That's an amazing achievement. Would it be nice to add more 5*s? Of course. But I trust this staff and what they do to develop, as well as selecting men who want to be at Michigan.
December 20th, 2023 at 12:08 PM ^
It's not BS. The three straight playoff appearance teams were built off of classes ranked 10th/12th and now we are pulling in 20th ranked classes. That's not a recipe for continued success down the road.
December 20th, 2023 at 12:16 PM ^
You really think there's that much of a differential in the 12th and 20th class when there are 133 D1 Football programs? Get real. See JHumich's and EikMelynia's replies below your original post. Having top 25 classes, combined with strategic portal additions and developing the players you do sign and retain from your classes, seems to be the way of the future if these last 3 years give us any indication. These kids signing in the top 10 classes are hitting the portal and will be available later (see Georgia's current portal situation as compared to Michigan's).
December 20th, 2023 at 12:33 PM ^
No, we got lucky enough with the development of those classes to turn that into playoff appearances. The playoff appearances should have turned the 10/12th ranked classes into top 5 classes that would keep us at that level consistently. And there is a huge difference between 20th and 5th.
December 20th, 2023 at 1:05 PM ^
Understood. But unless Michigan has a huge (unlikely) change of heart, top 5 classes aren't on the horizon in today's landscape. And if three straight playoff appearances with the current model aren't "enough" for you, that you really need to find what's wrong when a heck of a whole lot has gone right, I suggest you cheer for TAMU or the U since it seems that having a top 5 class that's bought is the only thing to make you happy.
December 20th, 2023 at 1:55 PM ^
I'm extremely happy with the program, but disappointed in the recruiting. And my belief is that this level of recruiting will eventually lead back to the 8-to-10-win seasons we grew accustomed to at the start of Harbaugh's tenure. That period wasn't all sunshine and rainbows amongst the fanbase, even if there were plenty of moments that brought me/us happiness.
December 20th, 2023 at 9:47 PM ^
Your complaints are just very disingenuous, because you act like there's some sort of failure on the part of the staff in not securing more 5* players.
You know as well as the rest of us that (as of this crootin class) Michigan is simply not going to pay HS players up front to sign.
It's patently against the rules as currently constituted, for one. We have enough trouble with bullshit rules as it is, don't we?
It also has not demonstrated at all that it's a successful way to build a cohesive, winning program (TA&M, Miami players portaling out as examples).
December 20th, 2023 at 9:18 PM ^
Isn’t focused player development the antithesis of luck?
December 20th, 2023 at 12:32 PM ^
its a bit of both. of course you need some stellar, 5* folks. but if you do as michigan does, target high character kids who buy into the school/program/team/coach, you end up better off than all but what, 1 or 2 other programs at the worst? and you do it with kids who we as alums/fans are proud to see on TV, proud to see their intellect and character, proud to see them walk up to harbaugh and hug him and say, 'love you coach' and harbaugh responds in kind while on TV.
i bet nick saban gets that all the time....
December 20th, 2023 at 9:55 AM ^
Yeah, I had a similar reaction this morning but then remembered NIL is the deciding factor (not winning, education potential NFL career, etc.) for a lot of these kids, specifically the 5-stars.
December 20th, 2023 at 5:33 PM ^
Many of these kids don't come from money so it's hard for them to see beyond the guaranteed cash. Schools like Michigan that pay based on performance are not as attractive. If they can't see past the money they certainly can't see past their likely short time in the NFL when education makes a big difference.
December 20th, 2023 at 10:05 AM ^
So long as our staff remains intact, I'm pretty confident in how these guys evaluate talent to put together a top 4 team.
December 20th, 2023 at 10:05 AM ^
OR the Michigan staff have solved this whole thing in a stable, consistent, sustainable way.
December 20th, 2023 at 10:28 AM ^
Are we really down to the #20 overall class for 2024? Weren't we #1 earlier in the year? Have we really fallen that far??
December 20th, 2023 at 10:50 AM ^
We don't pay NIL up front out of high school so this is par for the course now.
December 20th, 2023 at 10:30 AM ^
Yeah! We need to recruit more like Texas A&M!!! What we have been doing isn't working! We only went 13-0. Why aren't we 43-0??? People are talking
December 20th, 2023 at 10:35 AM ^
According to Rivals rankings, these are the number of 4-star players we have recruited:
2019 - 13 (also 2 5-stars, Chris Hinton and Dax Hill)
2020 - 13
2021 - 13
2022 - 9 (also 1 5-star, Will Johnson)
2023 - 11
2024 - 16
Rivals did not rank JJ or Donovan as 5 stars. Looking at all the great 3-star players we recruited is a separate post that would be substantial.
EDIT - here are some of my favorite 3-stars from these past classes:
2019
DJ Turner, David Ojabo, Mike Sainristil
2020
Kris Jenkins, Jaylen Harrell, Roman Wilson
2021
Rod Moore, Ja’Den McBurrows, Tommy Dolan
2022
Kenneth Grant, Amorion Walker, Alex Orji
2023
Benjamin Hall, DJ Waller
December 20th, 2023 at 10:56 AM ^
holy crud, those 3 stars are ballers. the 3-star mafia, ruining ohio's maseratti and driving it into the ditch. beautiful.
December 20th, 2023 at 11:06 AM ^
It is pretty amazing looking at that list. I am not sure if it's sustainable to constantly find "outperformers" but this staff has at least earned the benefit of the doubt. We obviously want more 5 and high-4 star recruits but there are challenges.
December 20th, 2023 at 10:44 AM ^
It’s development and culture vs stars.
Teams 142,143, and 144 have shown what they are about ON the field.
Recruiting individuals is not the same thing as building a team.
December 20th, 2023 at 10:46 AM ^
you are definitely not making the point you think you are making.
December 20th, 2023 at 3:00 PM ^
How do the transfer classes look? Maybe a known commodity is better than the potential of an 18 year old?
December 20th, 2023 at 3:11 PM ^
2022 - not in the top 50
2023 - 16th
2024 - incomplete, but not currently in the top 50.
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