Latest Michigan Football Recruiting News and 2023 Team Outlook

The Latest on Michigan Football Recruiting and Transfers

The Michigan Wolverines football program has been busy this offseason on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal. Head coach Jim Harbaugh continues to build a talented roster in Ann Arbor as the Wolverines look to defend their Big Ten championship in 2023.

Top Incoming Recruits

Michigan has received commitments from several elite recruits in the 2023 class. Some of the most notable are:

• Dante Moore - 5-star QB, ranked as the #3 overall recruit
• Semaj Morgan - 4-star WR, ranked as the #2 player in Michigan
• Cole Cabana - 4-star RB, ranked as the #4 player in Michigan
• Joshua Burnham - 4-star LB, ranked as the #6 player in Michigan

Landing Moore is a huge recruiting win for Michigan. He chose the Wolverines over Notre Dame, Oregon, LSU, and Ohio State. Moore has the potential to compete for the starting QB job as a true freshman.

Key Transfers

In addition to recruiting new players, Michigan has been active in the transfer portal to bring in some proven talent.

• Jack Tuttle - QB transfer from Indiana
• Darwin Barlow - RB transfer from TCU
• Jason Hewlett - WR transfer from Youngstown State
• Laurence Seymore - CB transfer from Buffalo

Tuttle should provide depth and experience at quarterback behind incumbent starter J.J. McCarthy. Barlow and Hewlett add talent and competition at the skill positions. Seymore helps reinforce the secondary.

Position Battles to Watch

Spring practice will be an important time to evaluate some key position battles for Michigan.

Quarterback

J.J. McCarthy established himself as the starting QB last season. But Jim Harbaugh loves competition, so Jack Tuttle and perhaps early enrollee Dante Moore could push McCarthy for reps.

Running Back

Leading rusher Blake Corum has declared for the NFL Draft. Donovan Edwards and Tavierre Dunlap return, but will face competition from transfers Darwin Barlow and Cole Cabana.

Wide Receiver

Ronnie Bell is gone, so Andrel Anthony, AJ Henning, and several younger players will battle for snaps alongside Cornelius Johnson. Transfers could also be in the mix here.

Staff Changes

Michigan's coaching staff will look a bit different in 2023 with a few key changes:

• Matt Weiss was fired as offensive coordinator/QBs coach amid allegations of computer access crimes.
• Kirk Campbell was promoted to take over Weiss' role as passing game coordinator.
• Grant Newsome was hired as TEs coach to replace Campbell's old role there.

It remains to be seen how the transition on offense will go without Weiss. Harbaugh will look to retain Michigan's offensive success from the past two seasons.

Outlook for 2023

Michigan is well positioned to be a top contender in the Big Ten once again. Harbaugh continues to recruit and develop talent at a high level. The Wolverines do have key personnel losses, but young players and transfers are ready to step up.

The offense could take a small step back as they transition without Blake Corum and break in new receivers. But the defense returns many key starters and should still be elite. Expect Michigan to again challenge for a spot in the College Football Playoff behind emerging stars like J.J. McCarthy and Dante Moore.

FAQs

Who is Michigan's starting QB for 2023?

J.J. McCarthy is expected to be the starting quarterback after taking over the job last season as a freshman. He threw for over 2,000 yards with 15 touchdowns and led Michigan to the Big Ten championship.

Who are Michigan's top recruits for 2023?

The top recruits committed to Michigan include 5-star QB Dante Moore, 4-star WR Semaj Morgan, 4-star RB Cole Cabana, and 4-star LB Joshua Burnham. Moore is the #3 overall recruit in the country.

What key transfers does Michigan have for 2023?

Notable transfers include QB Jack Tuttle from Indiana, RB Darwin Barlow from TCU, WR Jason Hewlett from Youngstown State, and CB Laurence Seymore from Buffalo.

Who will replace Blake Corum at running back?

Donovan Edwards and Tavierre Dunlap return at RB, along with transfers Darwin Barlow and Cole Cabana. It will likely be a committee approach to replacing Corum's production.

Who are Michigan's biggest games in 2023?

The biggest games on Michigan's schedule are against Ohio State, Michigan State, and Penn State. Those rivalry matchups, along with a tough road game against Nebraska, will determine if Michigan repeats as Big Ten champ.