Michigan jumps into Top 20 in On3 Consensus national team recruiting rankings 

Michigan has jumped to No. 20 overall in the 2023 On3 Consensus National Team Recruiting Rankings following the verbal commitment of Chicago (Ill.) Brother Rice three-star defensive lineman Roderick Pierce.

Pierce becomes the third prospect from the state of Illinois to join the Wolverines this cycle. Ranked No. 11 overall among all senior Illinois natives, per the On3 Consensus, Pierce chose Michigan over offers from Illinois and Texas. Pierce decommitted from Wisconsin the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Pierce first visited Ann Arbor for the Michigan State game back in late-October after as the Wolverines jumped in the mix earlier in the season. At 6-foot-3, 290 pounds, Pierce returned for an official visit this past month for the Illinois game.

“I liked it a lot,” Pierce told The Wolverine. “I liked the facilities. I liked the people in the building, which is really the most important part. I had a good time out there. The environment was insane. It was the most people I’ve been around in my entire life. I liked Coach Herb (Ben Herbert) and Coach (Mike) Elston. I really liked Coach (Jim) Harbaugh, too.”

Michigan 2023 Recruiting Class

Prior to Wednesday, the Wolverines were 22th overall in the country, but now enter the Big Ten Championship with six four-star commits and 13 three-star commits. The addition of Pierce brought Michigan to a total score of 88.610 which sits slightly below TCU at 89.425, South Carolina at 89.288, and Arkansas at 89.425. 

Rounding out the 19-man class are On300 offensive tackle Evan Link, On300 EDGE Enow Etta, On300 running back Cole Cabana, On300 linebacker Semaj Bridgeman, On300 offensive lineman Nathan Efobi, consensus four-star offensive lineman Amir Herring, four-star tight end Deakon Tonielli, three-star wide receivers Semaj Morgan and Fredrick Moore, three-star defensive lineman Brooks Bahr, three-star running back Benjamin Hall, three-star athlete Jason Hewlett, three-star cornerback Cameron Calhoun, three-star linebacker Breeon Ishmail, three-star EDGE Aymeric Koumba, three-star athlete Kendrick Bell, three-star tight end Zack Marshall and three-star kicker Adam Samaha.

A number of 2023 targets remain on Michigan’s board, including five-star athlete Nyckoles Harbor, On300 cornerback Jyaire Hill, former Wisconsin defensive line commit Jamel Howard, On300 wide receiver Karmello English, and three-star cornerback Tyler Scott.

2023 Big Ten Recruiting Rankings

The Wolverines currently sit No. 3 in the Big Ten, trailing only Ohio State and Penn State.

1. Ohio State (3)

2. Penn State (14)

3. Michigan (20)

4. Michigan State (24)

5. Iowa (30)

6. Northwestern (36)

7. Minnesota (41)

8. Illinois (45)

9. Nebraska (51)

10. Maryland (53)

11. Rutgers (55)

12. Wisconsin (56)

13. Purdue (57)

14. Indiana (75)