Meet the signees: Complete rundown of Michigan’s 2023 recruiting class
Michigan caps off the 2023 recruiting class with 24 signees, a haul that ranks No. 19 overall in the country, per the On3 Consensus. The Wolverine provides an in-depth look at each signee, breaking down their On3 Consensus Rankings, NIL Value, other notable offers, the road to each player ultimately signing, and more.
DL Cameron Brandt, Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon
Height: 6-4
Weight: 260
On3 Consensus: No. 407 Nationally, No. 46 Defensive Lineman, No. 33 Player in California
NIL Valuation: $11.6K
Other Notable Offers: Stanford, Cal, Oregon, Washington, USC, Arizona, Texas, Nebraska, UCLA, Oregon State, Boston College
How We Got Here: Brandt was the lone addition in the 2023 class for Michigan who committed after the early signing period, putting pen to paper on Wednesday, making his flip from Stanford to the Big Ten Champions official. The versatile defensive lineman had been verbally pledged to the Cardinal since the summer but didn’t sign in December due to the resignation of former head coach David Shaw three days after Thanksgiving. Shaw was replaced by Troy Taylor, the former head coach of FCS Sacramento State, but his staff couldn’t keep the west coast native home. Michigan crept in and became the lone flip contender for Brandt in January as the three-star took an official visit two weekends ago. Brandt is seen as the replacement piece at the EDGE spot once the Wolverines lost Collins Acheampong to Miami. The development of the position under Mike Elston, who garnered a close relationship with Brandt is a short amount of time, helped secure the latter’s signing.
EDGE Enow Etta, Colleyville (Tex.) Covenant Christian Academy
Height: 6-4 1/2
Weight: 260
On3 Consensus: No. 123 Nationally, No. 15 Defensive Lineman, No. 22 Player in Texas
NIL Valuation: $123K
Other Notable Offers: Miami, Michigan State, Alabama, LSU, Tennessee, USC, Auburn, Washington, Ole Miss, Stanford, Cal, SMU, Utah,
How We Got Here: Michigan won out for Etta back in July over in-state rival Michigan State because of academics and relationships, despite an incredible NIL push from down the road. Staying firm on his verbal commitment throughout the fall became arguably the top storyline for Michigan recruiting this cycle as Etta was receiving late priority pushes from Miami, especially. The Hurricanes, who managed to flip Etta’s close firend and former U-M commit, Collins Acheampong, were unsuccessful to do the same with Etta but tried until the very end. Etta visited once this season last fall for the Nebraska game and has grown close with defensive line coach Mike Elston, outside linebackers coach Dylan Roney, and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who have all been open and honest with Etta’s plan of action once enrolled in July.
WR Karmello English, Phenix City (Ala.) Central
Height: 5-11
Weight: 182
On3 Consensus: No. 208 Nationally, No. 25 Wide Receiver, No. 16 Player in Alabama
NIL Valuation: $18.6K
Other Notable Offers: Kentucky, Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Colorado, Kansas
How We Got Here: The recruiting ties in the deep south for wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy were the catalyst to bring English up north and pry him away from a slew of SEC interest. English, who was a former Auburn commit, took an unofficial visit to Ann Arbor back in October for the Penn State and had a supposed top two heading into National Signing that also included Kentucky, who offered hefty NIL opportunities and for him to stay closer to home. English was one-of-two signees in Michigan’s 2023 recruiting class who announced his commitment on National Signing Day this past Wednesday. A versatile weapon who can line up on the outside and in the slot, English is set to compete in the Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando, Florida, next month.
CB Jyaire Hill, Kankakee (Ill.) High
Height: 6-2
Weight: 185
On3 Consensus: No. 165 Nationally, No. 20 Cornerback, No. 2 in Illinois
NIL Valuation: $18K
Other Notable Offers: Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Florida, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, TCU, Auburn,
How We Got Here: Hill’s recruitment was a highly discussed topic for several months this year as Michigan was locked in a heated battle with Big Ten foe Illinois for one of the top athletes in the midwest. The Wolverines were balancing between leader status and running behind in pole position at various points in the year. But managing to bring Hill and his family on campus twice for game day visits last fall sealed the deal after the secondary talent officially visited in early June. Co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale and head coach Jim Harbaugh stayed in regular communication with the entire family, who all understood the family environment that was presented at Michigan down the stretch. Affirming their status as an elite program nationally and the proper develop capable to be an NFL Draft selectee, the Wolverines hurled over the Fighting Illini’s pitch for Hill to attend college in his home state. Hill followed suit with English by announcing his commitment on National Signing Day and will enroll early.
RB Cole Cabana, Dexter (Mich.) High
Height: 5-11
Weight: 187
On3 Consensus: No. 201 Nationally, No. 14 Running Back, No. 2 Player in Michigan
NIL Valuation: $42K
Other Notable Offers: Michigan State, Miami, West Virginia, Louisville, Pitt, Cincinnati, Purdue, Kansas, Syracuse, Liberty
How We Got Here: Cabana was offered by the Wolverines back in the winter, specifically this past January, after returning for another unofficial visit around that time. Despite receiving early priority from Michigan State, Cabana quickly ended his recruitment in February and pledged to running backs coach Mike Hart to attend the school that’s located less than 20 minutes away from his hometown. Cabana stayed loyal to Hart and Michigan ever since he committed and didn’t visit any school other than Michigan in the months leading up to his official signing. Miami offered Cabana in November, which led to the thought of the all-purpose threat checking out South Beach late in the process, but never did. As one of the most vocal player-recruiters in Michigan’s 2023 recruiting class, Cabana played a pivotal role in bringing all of the signees together over text and social media, even helping plan out certain dates in which a good number of them could be on campus visiting together. Showing his loyalty not only to Hart but the entire program, Cabana will enroll early in hopes of earning a spot on the field by next season.
LB Semaj Bridgeman, Philadelphia (Pa.) Imhotep Charter
Height: 6-1
Weight: 235
On3 Consensus: No. 304 Nationally, No. 31 Linebacker, No. 5 in Pennsylvania
NIL Valuation: $27K
Other Notable Offers: Rutgers, Penn State, Maryland, Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Oregon, Florida, Tennessee, Texas A&M, South Carolina, Florida State
How We Got Here: Michigan fended off nearby Rutgers in early July for the thumping defensive star’s commitment, which occurred immediately after the Wolverines lost out on former linebacker pledge Raylen Wilson to Georgia. Bridgeman took official visits to both Big Ten schools the month prior of his announcement with the Scarlet Knights getting the final word. However, the persistence of linebackers coach George Helowand tight ends coach Grant Newsome, who has recruiting connections in Philadelphia and New Jersey, played a strong role in Bridgeman deciding on the Wolverines. Even though Bridgeman wasn’t able to return for another visit on campus in the fall, the field general for juggernaut Imhotep Charter never wavered on his commitment, and is now in line to succeed Junior Colson at the MIKE in the future.
OT Evan Link, Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga
Height: 6-6
Weight: 290
On3 Consensus: No. 284 Nationally, No. 21 Offensive Tackle, No. 3 Player in Washington D.C.
NIL Valuation: $21K
Other Notable Offers: Penn State, Stanford, Virginia Tech, Miami, Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida State, Louisville, Kentucky, Maryland, Wisconsin, Northwestern
How We Got Here: This was one of the more surprising, if not the most surprising, commitment that Michigan landed this cycle as the team wasn’t considered to be the favorite for much of the offseason, but more so in the summer, trailing Penn State and Stanford. Link wasn’t able to take his planned official visit back in June, which only elevated that assumption, but offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore brought Link and his family to campus for a two-day unofficial trip for the late-July annual BBQ at the Big House. Immediately afterwards, Link would go public with his commitment, becoming the second of what would be, three signees at the offensive line position in 2023 for Michigan. Link has a ton of upside heading into his freshman year at Michigan because of the development found through his tenure at Gonzaga, considered to have one of the top high school football programs in the entire DMV.
IOL Amir Herring, West Bloomfield (Mich.) High
Height: 6-3
Weight: 290
On3 Consensus: No. 308 Nationally, No. 19 Interior Offensive Lineman, No. 4 Player in Michigan
NIL Valuation: $22K
Other Notable Offers: Nebraska, Boston College, Missouri, Penn State, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Pitt, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland
How We Got Here: Michigan didn’t have a single offensive line commit in the 2023 class until Herring chose the school notable for its pipeline with the four-star’s high school in July. Herring, who’s going to study medicine during his academic career in college, also took official visits to Nebraska, Boston College, and Missouri right before the July dead period but wanted to stay home and follow in the footsteps of his West Bloomfield teammate in Semaj Morgan, as well as Donovan Edwards, and Makari Paige. Herring has stated on numerous occasions after his verbal commitment of the coaching philosophies of Sherrone Moore and Michigan now capturing two-straight Joe Moore Awards in back-to-back years. Herring projects as a guard or center option for the Wolverines.
TE Deakon Tonielli, Oswego (Ill.) High
Height: 6-6
Weight: 215
On3 Consensus: No. 395 Nationally, No. 23 Tight End, No. 6 in Illinois
NIL Valuation: $18.1K
Other Notable Offers: Illinois, Tennessee, Michigan State, West Virginia, Minnesota, Iowa State, Cincinnati, Indiana, Purdue,
How We Got Here: Tonielli would drop his commitment to Michigan right after officially visiting in June, which ended over a two-month drought for the Wolverines that spring. As the first of what would be three signees from Chicagoland in Michigan’s 2023 recruiting class, Tonielli spurned a close relationship with Grant Newsome after his former primary contact, safeties coach and special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh, switched over to the defense earlier in the offseason. Tonielli has said in the past about Newsome’s ability to provide a comfortable environment through conversations either in person or over the phone. Also, Newsome’s success with the position this season affirmed Tonielli that he’s going to be entering a room with lofty expectations annually.
CB Cameron Calhoun, Cincinnati (Ohio) Winton Woods
Height: 6-0
Weight: 170
On3 Consensus: No. 421 Nationally, No. 46 Cornerback, No. 12 in Ohio
NIL Valuation: $15.5K
Other Notable Offers: Kentucky, Michigan State, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Rutgers, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Vanderbilt, Pitt, Boston College, Purdue
How We Got Here: Calhoun was previously committed to both Cincinnati and West Virginia earlier in the year before reopening his recruitment a third time in November. Going back on the market in the middle of the month, Calhoun was fresh off his official visit to Kentucky when he backed away from the hometown school of Cincinnati, later debuting at Michigan for an unofficial visit the week prior to Thanksgiving. Calhoun never crossed the Michigan-Ohio border leading up to his visit for the Illinois game but saw enough that weekend to public announce his verbal commitment less than an hour following the Ohio State win in Columbus. Calhoun wanted to make a statement that his decision reflected the turning of the tide in the rivalry and Michigan’s position as a national powerhouse. Calhoun was also the second of what was four-straight pledges from Ohio natives in a four-day span with three being in the 2023 class.
IOL Nathan Efobi, Cumming (Ga.) South Forsyth
Height: 6-4
Weight: 282
On3 Consensus: No. 451 Nationally, No. 37 Interior Offensive Lineman, No. 46 Player in Georgia
NIL Valuation: $8.6K
Other Notable Offers: Penn State, Miami, Georgia, Georgia Tech, NC State, Duke, Louisville, Missouri, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Boston College, Kansas
How We Got Here: Efobi knew of Michigan and the opportunities the university hands down to student-athletes prior to the heightened push from Sherrone Moore this fall because of his family friendship with former All-American EDGE David Ojabo and his mother, who is best friends with Efobi’s mother. The Ojabos were a big part in shining light on the Wolverines and the wanting of Efobi to visit for himself, which took place back in September for an unofficial during the Maryland game. It was originally scheduled as an official but Moore wanted Efobi to receive preferential treatment on a return visit, which the upside lineman did on the final weekend of December right before National Signing Day. Efobi committed beforehand, however, in late-November because of the connection that he and his family built with Moore. Efobi has huge admiration for Moore’s development of offensive lineman and his playing career experience at the position. Efobi is slated to project along the interior next to Herring and has been compared to Olu Oluwatimi but with longer length.
DL Trey Pierce, Chicago (Ill.) Brother Rice
Height: 6-3
Weight: 290
On3 Consensus: No. 513 Nationally, No. 54 Defensive Lineman, No. 7 Player in Illinois
NIL Valuation: $9.8K
Other Notable Offers: Wisconsin, Illinois, Texas, Kentucky, Auburn, Michigan State, Missouri, Vanderbilt, Purdue, Kansas
How We Got Here: Michigan didn’t enter the sweepstakes until later in the process for Pierce, who was still a verbal commit to Wisconsin by the time of his two visits to Ann Arbor these past two months. Pierce debuted on October 29th for the Michigan State game and later returned for an official visit in mid-November for the game against Illinois, who also received an official in December once Pierce was fully available. Academics and his relationship with Mike Elston were major contributing factors in the Wolverines overcoming the in-state school for another recruit from Chicago and its suburbs.
WR Semaj Morgan, West Bloomfield (Mich.) High
Height: 5-10
Weight: 185
On3 Consensus: No. 518 Nationally, No. 76 Wide Receiver, No. 12 Player in Michigan
NIL Valuation: $18.9K
Other Notable Offers: Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Maryland, West Virginia, Purdue, Memphis, Marshall, Jackson State, Alabama A&M
How We Got Here: Morgan was the second-longest active verbal commit in Michigan’s 2023 recruiting class behind Adam Samaha. Offered back in the summer of 2021 at a team-hosted camp, Morgan entered last winter fully locked in and stayed that way the entire calendar year. Morgan has been called the face of the class because of his outgoing and positive nature to showcase the Wolverines in person and on social media. Morgan was also one of the best player-recruiters for those in-state, out-of-state, and even for the recruits residing in the classes below him. Due to the close proximity from Ann Arbor to his hometown of West Bloomfield, Morgan took regular unofficial visits to campus, whether announced or unannounced, to familiarize himself with everyone staff and the current players on the roster, as well as be an ambassador for perspective recruits on visit as well. Morgan’s position coach at Michigan, Ron Bellamy, actually coached the three-star wideout and Herring for two years before returning to his alma mater at the beginning of the 2021 season.
TE Zack Marshall, Carlsbad (Calif.) High
Height: 6-4
Weight: 220
On3 Consensus: No. 526 Nationally, No. 26 Tight End, No. 44 Player in California
NIL Valuation: $6.3K
Other Notable Offers: Arizona, Cal, Washington State, Utah, Colorado State, Army, Montana State, Penn
How We Got Here: Marshall was offered on the spot during the July BBQ at the Big House once he took part in a workout session with Grant Newsome the morning of the event. Marshall was greatly impressed with the relatability of Newsome, his expertise of the game, plus his representation of the Michigan football program. Marshall committed less than two weeks later and became the second tight end of the class alongside Tonielli. All of Marshall’s Power 5 offers were located on the west coast prior to Michigan jumping in the mix but wowed the Carlsbad High transfer with the presentation that was given at the barbecue.
WR Fredrick Moore, St. Louis (Mo.) Cardinal Ritter
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180
On3 Consensus: No. 552 Nationally, No. 81 Wide Receiver, No. 13 in Missouri
NIL Valuation: $15.1K
Other Notable Offers: Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Iowa State, Rutgers, Kansas, Penn State, Arkansas, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Colorado, West Virginia
How We Got Here: Michigan planted it foot in the talented-rich city of St. Louis back in July with the addition of Moore, who had several nearby notable offers and interest from Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, and Iowa, but has cited his communication with both Jay Harbaugh and Ron Bellamy in the spring and early summer that made the difference. The two younger Michigan assistants have unofficially been the primary recruiters for St. Louis area prospects with Moore’s pickup now setting the standard that the Wolverines can compete in a city that has found SEC elites and other midwest programs poking around. Moore’s senior season was arguably the best from an accolade and statistical standpoint among all of the 2023 signees, leading to high excitement regarding his early enrollment.
ATH Jason Hewlett, Youngstown (Ohio) Chaney
Height: 6-3
Weight: 215
On3 Consensus: No. 548 Nationally, No. 57 Linebacker, No. 15 Player in Ohio
NIL Valuation: $15.5K
Other Notable Offers: Cincinnati, West Virginia, Kentucky, NC State, Boston College, Virginia Tech, Toledo
How We Got Here: Hewlett rounded out the list of four Ohio recruits who committed in four consecutive days in late-November after the former Cincinnati pledge flipped to Michigan once he debuted on campus for the Illinois game. The Wolverines didn’t have to bring Hewlett back for an official visit to receive his commitment either. The coveted versatile defensive athlete would find his home because of his experience at the Big House, relationship with fellow Youngstown native Steve Clinkscale, and now remaining teammates with another Chaney star in close friend D’Juan Waller Jr.
DL Brooks Bahr, Wilmette (Ill.) Loyola Academy
Height: 6-6
Weight: 265
On3 Consensus: No. 641 Nationally, No. 67 Defensive Lineman, No. 12 Player in Illinois
NIL Valuation: $6.6K
Other Notable Offers: Northwestern, Purdue, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Duke, Kansas
How We Got Here: Bahr was the first recruiting win for Mike Elston back in the late-winter once he took over the defensive line responsibilities at Michigan. Bahr and his family felt a real genuine connection from the entire Elston family, who all first knew each other when the latter was still coaching at Notre Dame, which carried over considerably when the move was made to Ann Arbor. Bahr has seen a huge growth spurt over the past 18 months and is expected to slide down to a five or three-technique role to compliment his longer frame and sheer strength. Bahr was another verbal commitment who never wavered in the months since his announcement and even assisted a ton with recruiting other defensive linemen to the class.
CB D’Juan Waller Jr., Youngstown (Ohio) Chaney
Height: 6-3
Weight: 195
On3 Consensus: No. 680 Nationally, No. 62 Cornerback, No. 22 Player in Ohio
NIL Valuation: $12.8K
Other Notable Offers: Kentucky, West Virginia, Marshall, Toledo, Ball State, Ohio
How We Got Here: Waller was a late-bloomer in the recruiting process as he finally earned Power 5 interest and offers in the fall once he decommitted from Toledo. Michigan, Kentucky, and West Virginia all received official visits from Waller, who ended up dropping the Mountaineers just weeks before his verbal commitment that came three days prior to National Signing Day. The battle between Michigan and Kentucky for Waller was very Youngstown oriented as Steve Clinkscale, the primary recruiter in this race, was born and raised in the Northeast Ohio blue-collar town and so was Kentucky associate head coach Vince Marrow and head coach Mark Stoops. Clinkscale, who made two in-home visits with Waller in December alongside Jesse Minter and Jim Harbaugh, brought the three-star cornerback for a visit in mid-November for the Illinois game and later for an official visit the weekend before National Signing Day. Waller’s connection to Clinkscale because of their Youngstown roots were a key factor in the former siding with the Wolverines, as well as his close friendship with Jason Hewlett.
QB/ATH Kendrick Bell, Kansas City (Mo.) Park Hill
Height: 6-2
Weight: 170
On3 Consensus: No. 881 Nationally, No. 46 Quarterback, No. 21 Player in Missouri
NIL Valuation: $8.3K
Other Notable Offers: UMass, Northern Iowa
How We Got Here: Bell is the younger brother of Michigan fan favorite Ronnie Bell and had only one FBS offer to his name before the Wolverines delivered formal interest in September. Yielded for his superb athleticism and under-the-radar status, much like Ronnie during his respective recruitment, Bell was a top dual-threat quarterback across the entire midwest but does have the versatility and desire to play an skill position on either side of the ball. However, Jim Harbaugh has gone on record to say that Bell will get a shot to crack the quarterback depth chart this offseason. Once the Wolverines offered Bell earlier in the fall, an official visit scheduled for October for the Penn State game was planned, which led to the Missouri standout to commit once he arrived back home. Bell’s decision was led by Ronnie and the entire offensive assistants, plus Steve Clinkscale. Having the option to play more than one position resulted in Bell gravitating towards much of the coaching staff in the time that he was being courted. Bell also returned for the Illinois game to watch his older brother’s final game at the Big House.
EDGE Aymeric Koumba, Paris (France)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 230
On3 Consensus: No. 947 Nationally, No. 80 EDGE
NIL Valuation: $6.1K
Other Notable Offers: Vanderbilt, Colorado, UConn
How We Got Here: Koumba was discovered, monitored, and evaluated considerably by Mike Elston this past summer once they first met at two offseason mega camps with the international pass rusher being offered in Ann Arbor on a visit. Koumba works and trains with Brandon Collier, the founder and operator of PPI Recruits, an organization that mentors and provides recruiting exposure to aspiring football players overseas in continents like Europe and Africa. Collier has had a working relationship with Elston for years and Michigan dating back to 2016 when the school first got in contact with Julius Welchof. Koumba committed to the Wolverines in July and visited for the Penn State game in October.
RB Benjamin Hall, Kennesaw (Ga.) North Cobb
Height: 5-10
Weight: 227
On3 Consensus: No. 1,041 Nationally, No. 77 Running Back, No. 103 Player in Georgia
NIL Valuation: $14.K
Other Notable Offers: South Carolina, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, NC State, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Boston College, Cincinnati, Purdue, Virginia, Miami, Charlotte
How We Got Here: The reasons why Hall’s future running back teammate in Cabana committed and signed with Michigan were nearly identical to the former, who was accepted into the fold this past spring after taking an unofficial visit to campus. Hall was coming off a highly productive junior campaign for the Kennesaw powerhouse and his bruising attributes on the ground were perceived as the perfect compliment to Cabana.
LB Breeon Ishmail, Cincinnati (Ohio) Princeton
Height: 6-4
Weight: 220
On3 Consensus: No. 1,202 Nationally, No. 58 Athlete, No. 37 Player in Ohio
NIL Valuation: $6.2K
Other Notable Offers: Kentucky, Cincinnati, Tennessee, Iowa State, Pitt, West Virginia
How We Got Here: Ishmail took two unofficial visits in the fall for the games against Penn State and Illinois before dropping his verbal commitment less than 24 hours leading up to the Ohio State win. Ishmail ended up being the first of four-straight Ohio pledges to join the Wolverines in late-November. Steve Clinkscale, who led the way in adding Ishmail to the fray, went to Cincinnati following Ishmail’s debut in mid-October to personally hand an offer. It was the approach of Clinkscale to present a demeanor that revolves around honesty and always speaking the truth that sat really well with Ishmail, his family, and school administrators at Princeton. Ishmail’s inner circle wants him to be taken care of and to be held accountable in college, much like how he did in high school, and believes Clinkscale is the right football coach for the job.
LB Hayden Moore, Aurora (Co.) Regis Jesuit
Height: 6-3
Weight: 210
On3 Consensus: No. 1,178 Nationally, No. 113 Linebacker, No. 9 Player in Colorado
NIL Valuation: $6.4K
Other Notable Offers: Nebraska, Colorado, Texas A&M, Iowa State, Kansas State, UCLA, Iowa, Texas tech, Washington State, Kansas, Fresno State, San Diego State
How We Got Here: Moore might have remained at Nebraska, where he was verbally committed for several months beginning back in June, had it not been for two head coaches sacked in that timeframe and a new regime arriving later in the process. Incoming Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule and his staff made an in-home visit with Moore, who felt like he couldn’t garner the same relationship with that group as he did with the coaching staff at Michigan, who stayed in contact with the true linebacker throughout the fall. Moore credits George Helow with weekly communication with him and his entire family, which led to the three-star making two visits to Ann Arbor on back-to-back weekends in December, including for an official right before National Signing Day. Moore decommitted from Nebraska when flying back home from his official visit and flipped to Michigan the next day.
K Adam Samaha, Ann Arbor (Mich.) Huron
Height: 6-0
Weight: 170
On3 Consensus: No. 2,174 Nationally, No. 10 Kicker, No. 34 Player in Michigan
NIL Valuation: $9.9K
Other Notable Offers: N/A
How We Got Here: Samaha took to social media on Thanksgiving of last year and became the first verbal commitment of the 2023 class for Michigan. Residing less than 10 miles away from the Ann Arbor campus, Samaha wrapped up his senior year as one of the best kickers in the country, per On3.com and Kornblue Kicking. When the latter recruiting service gave Samaha a five-star ranking, he became the youngest specialist to ever earn the coveted rating in history. Samaha, who’s on scholarship, was a frequent flyer to game day visits this season because of the short proximity from his home and the refusal to travel anywhere else. Expectations for Samaha are that he’s the future replacement for Jake Moody.
