recruiting

Michigan's 2023 class gets a late boost:

NOT TO MUCH TO SAY🤷🏾‍♂️#GoBlue @UMichFootball pic.twitter.com/EHgFx14pt3

— Brandyn Hillman🌟 (@dmv_b3) March 19, 2023

Hillman signed with Notre Dame but decided to re-open his recruitment a week ago; he visited Michigan and Ohio State before deciding on the program that did not have its safeties combust into flames during The Game this year. USC also offered after Hillman came on the market again. Hillman is the #214 kid on the composite and is #130 to 247, which is the scouting service we generally believe to have the best takes. Adding him slides Michigan up past Auburn in the 247 class rankings, FWIW.

A hello post is in the offing. There is no content after the jump.

Recruiting Board lives here.

Second Signing Day doesn't really matter as much anymore, but it's tomorrow, so let's talk recruiting. Any more 2023s? Transfers? How much has Harbaugh's latest NFL dalliance, Weiss's computer crimes, or things that don't matter but get reported anyways set them back? How mad is that SEC coach that Harbaugh declined the Broncos? How much do recruits care about success in College Football Risk? Are other schools really mad that Michigan is dominating that because taking out Oregon is the key to winning a 5-star recruitment tomorrow? Well, no. But let's check in, get a little annoyed, and throw out some links.

If you want to know what's on the other side of some of those paywall links, 247Sports is offering 60% off a year's subscription today, On3 is just $29.99 to get you through the entire offseason (8/31), and Henschke's been doing a great job at Rivals.

FINISHING THE 2023 CLASS

Michigan is trying to add 5-star track star Nyckoles Harbor, who's announcing at 1PM tomorrow($). Adding the highest ranked uncommitted player on Signing Day could help the narratives. But as a football prospect I caution not to expect much for a year or two because Harbor wants to focus on track first, and stay on offense after, whereas his lofty ranking has a lot to do with his #1 overall upside as an edge. According to Sam Webb, Michigan is completely onboard(~15 minutes) with Harbor using his freshman year to focus on getting to the 2024 Olympics, but both Webb and EJ Holland warn that Michigan had better get completely onboard($) with the modern NIL game if they're going to play in today's world.

If Michigan does get the 6'5"/225 sprinter who recently ran a 6.64 in the 60 meter (that is fast), you cannot stop me from using academics-minded, track star/two-way end Willis Ward as the comp, but that's no sure thing. Though Oregon's track program is currently ranked behind Michigan's, they're a track powerhouse, an NIL powerhouse, and the Ducks got Harbor's last visit. Word out of that trip is NIL is now a bigger consideration($), the implication being Michigan is competitive on brand reach but not on the first suitcase.

As of today the only crystal balls in are from South Carolina's 247 writers; they believe SC put in the most work and that the Harbor family, which is tied to the DMV($), won't uproot. Steve Wiltfong seems to think Oregon and SC are favorites, but mentions Michigan's confidence too. Brian Dohn also thinks it's an Oregon/SC battle($). Maryland, which seemed a likely destination just a week or so ago, seems to have been supplanted by Oregon($), while Miami (YTM)'s pure NIL pitch appears to have fallen flat.

Michigan's also been trying to close with a couple of DL. At this point it seems unlikely($) that they'll land Wisconsin decommit IL 3* Jamel Howard, the nose tackle they were close to nailing down on early signing day. Since then LSU and Miami have gotten involved and the Michigan Insider crew cautions Wisconsin is still in play.

So if Michigan does add anybody tomorrow it's because they flipped CA 3* DE/DT Cameron Brandt from a Stanford commitment. Brandt visited Michigan on January 20, but it took awhile for confidence to grow. On3's Chad Simmons said he'd give Stanford the edge($) yesterday, but it seems Michigan got word this afternoon, as Rivals' Josh Henschke and everyone at 247 started predicting a flip. The TMI crew also talked about Brandt at the tail end of their podcast; if Harbaugh to NFL rumors were a sticking point it appears that's been addressed.

[After THE JUMP: 2024, next commits, Kentucky coach is tweeting through it]

Welcome to Early Signing Day, 2022 edition, for the 2023 class. Our annual Signing Day Livepod will be at 1pm this afternoon, with special guest Steve Lorenz from 247 Sports. Tune in on YouTube, or catch the podcast version after.

Also note: This article is stickied to remain on top most of today. Scroll down for news posted today.

• Hello: DJ Waller
• Karmello English Has Committed to Michigan
• MGoRadio 8.13: The Class From France, FRA

THE CLASS AS IT STANDS

This section will be updated throughout the day.

TARGETS SIGNED ELSEWHERE

This section will also be updated throughout the day.

TIMES OF INTEREST

All times given in Eastern

10:00 AM WR KARMELLO ENGLISH (AL, 4*). Michigan moved back in late to battle between non-Playoff teams Kentucky and Alabama for a receiver who'd be described as Nico Collins if he wasn't 5'10". Jeremy Gallon then? English decommitted in fall from Auburn but a lot of observers didn't see Michigan coming. Ron Bellamy made this guy a priority, and Michigan picked up some crystal balls yesterday after a) their fallback plan committed to Virginia Tech, and b) Alabama picked up another receiver they coveted equally, but Kentucky is still in it, and things were truly 50-50 this time yesterday. Update: Committed to Michigan.

1:00 PM The Signing Day LivePod, wsg Steve Lorenz

4:00 PM (UPDATED and UPDATED AGAIN) CB/ATH JYAIRE HILL (IL, 4*). A top target for Michigan, this has been a battle all the way with hometown Illinois for a very fun to watch playmaker who led a long moribund program into prominence. Sees Denard as a kindred spirit (!!!). Michigan was left off a final five a few days ago, but recruiting people think that's a head fake, and that Hill's lead recruiter at Illinois becoming the head coach of Purdue finally put Michigan over. Update: Committed to Michigan.

5:00 PM S AARON GATES (GA, 4*). Talented safety that Michigan tried to pry out of a Florida commitment. M put all they could into this one but reporters were told Michigan flat-out couldn't match the NIL offer. Gates is expected to stick with his Florida commitment. Update: Committed to Florida.

PLAYERS OF INTEREST, NO ANNOUNCEMENT TIME:

NT JAMEL HOWARD (IL, 3*). The other Wisconsin decommit DT from Chicago that Michigan would like to flip. Howard may hold off until February to see if he likes the new Wisconsin coaches, or sign today with the school that appears to be leading, which is Michigan. Obviously, we would like him to sign today.