2023 recruiting
mike elston
collins acheampong
A new Ghana-born edge rusher [On3]

Collins Acheampong Has Committed to Michigan Comment Count

Alex.Drain July 8th, 2022 at 3:49 PM

is that.... momentum??? Michigan football has added a fourth prospect in the past week to their 2023 class, and this one is the best they've picked up yet, 4* EDGE Collins Acheampong: 

Acheampong is from Ghana but attends school out in California. Like several Michigan edge prospects past, Acheampong is pretty new to football but pairs that inexperience with mammoth size and athleticism. The coaching staff got in contact with Acheampong a few months ago and quickly made waves with the kid, indicating how high on their board he is. He visited in June and at the time seemed like a near lock... then Miami got involved. The money-rich 'Canes started calling Acheampong and offering gobs of cash, changing the recruitment from a sure thing to a 50-50 tossup that in some ways was a small litmus test for the new "transformational vs. transactional" debates. There were a few days of sweaty palms but the Wolverines were able to pull it out late, with the Crystal Balls sliding back towards the Maize & Blue this morning ahead of this commitment. 

Acheampong is now the 10th player in Michigan's 2023 class and another couple could be added soon. DL/EDGE Enow Etta is going to announce any day now, and the Wolverines still lead for him (though it's been a beyond confusing and messy process). IOL Paul Mubenga is set to announce soon as well, and more could follow. A busy July rolls along. 

Comments

Mercury Hayes

July 8th, 2022 at 4:12 PM ^

Two 4-stars in two days? Never a bad thing.

The way this team has operated the past decade, I always get a little extra excitement out of a top ranked D lineman.

Joined: 08/18/2010

MGoPoints: 9230

Venom7541

July 8th, 2022 at 5:22 PM ^

The one thing I've learned about this staff over the years is they do their own evaluations and start off with what look like a bunch of meh recruits and then suddenly pick up tons of quality recruits. We all hand ring and then weeks like this happen and we start to feel better again. Michigan still needs to do better with the whole NIL thing. We definitely need a few of the "sure things", but this team made it to the playoffs, so maybe it's not as bad as I was thinking a few days ago. We will see. 

Joined: 10/06/2016

MGoPoints: 3706

The Sea Was Angry

July 9th, 2022 at 12:39 AM ^

I would give you all my points if I could. Every year this same conversation rolls around like it's a fifth season. Apparently many cannot wait until National Signing Day to make a judgment on each recruiting class. It reminds me of ESPN in the way their sports "reporting" became sports "speculation" so long ago. Throw in some social media, and it predictably results in a massive blizzard of negativity.

By the way, I'm not stating with certainty we're going to have an incredible class this year. I (like so many in the past) would only suggest that everyone wait until the final results are in before going into full panic mode. While many have speculated U of M's transformational approach is a complete disaster, we have zero evidence yet to determine if that is true for ALL of the players. Thankfully, we don't need to sign ALL of the players.

Joined: 06/02/2014

MGoPoints: 3911

VintageRandy

July 8th, 2022 at 7:31 PM ^

I think the distinguishing feature between the two might be bend. Uche was super bendy off the edge while Ojabo had a bit more pure speed and agility (plus a cool array of pass rush moves). Acheampong certainly has elements of both, but his flexibility at his size (Collins is 6’7” while Uche is 6’3”) might be his defining trait. 
 

He’s raw raw raw, but if you can bulk him up over two years and teach him pass rush moves and fundamentals, he absolutely has the athletic traits to be a high draft pick.

Joined: 04/04/2019

MGoPoints: 7274

Booted Blue in PA

July 8th, 2022 at 8:34 PM ^

Recruiting class is up 10 spots in a week, 7 months from signing day....  maybe we won't finish with one of the worst recruiting classes in the Big Ten after all.    

Joined: 12/18/2018

MGoPoints: 60449