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Michigan Football: Is it time to worry about 2023 recruiting class?

By Connor Muldowney

2MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Head Coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
2MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Head Coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Michigan football has had some rough luck in its 2023 recruiting class as it seems like the program is failing to adjust to the new NIL era.

“It’s only June.”

That’s been the rally cry for Michigan football fans over the past month as they’ve had to sit back and watch other programs really thrive during the start of official visits.

Michigan, on the other hand, has had just as many commitments in the month of June as decommitments. Three-star tight end Deakon Tonielli committed on June 19 and four-star linebacker and top pledge in the Wolverines’ entire class Raylen Wilson decommitted on June 28.

It’s been sort of a stagnant month that has a number of fans worried.

But, as mentioned earlier, it’s only June.

Jim Harbaugh is on vacation right now and videos of him enjoying his time with family are surfacing as he looks carefree and that’s led some fans to believe “if he’s not worried, then I shouldn’t be either — but that’s a trap. Harbaugh has to be worried. And Michigan fans should be worried, too.

The NIL era hasn’t been kind to the program yet. Michigan is flexing a “holier than thou” attitude, stating that kids who want to be at Michigan will be there and earn paychecks down the line when their playing days are up. Michigan won’t give in to the NIL era because it’s Michigan.

That attitude has to be put to rest or the rest of the country is going to lap the Wolverines.

Michigan is already down to No. 55 in the 2023 recruiting class and No. 13 in the Big Ten. Yes, all but one Big Ten team ranks ahead of the Wolverines in the 2023 class. Worrisome? Absolutely.

So save all the “it’s just June” talk and realize that Michigan not joining the modern NIL era and Harbaugh flirting with the NFL definitely hurt the class. Do I think this will continue in 2024? Probably not as Michigan will learn its lesson the hard way, but it shouldn’t have taken this disastrous start in order for that to happen.

It’s completely OK to be worried about the class, Michigan fans. Something’s not right.

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