ESPN updates Michigan football recruiting ranking after wave of recent pledges

Rival fans enjoyed laughing earlier in the offseason about Michigan football and where it stood in the recruiting rankings as if things would not eventually change for the Wolverines.

The maize and blue had very few commitments, which meant that they were languishing in the lower ranks in terms of recruiting, but the past month-plus has considerably changed the rankings as Michigan has added pledges to the class. Once ranked in the 40s and 50s, 247Sports has Michigan football has the No. 10 team in the country while On3 has it at No. 11 and Rivals has the Wolverines at No. 13.

And now that ESPN has updated its rankings (subscription required) it’s in the same vein, with the Wolverines coming in at No. 12.

12. Michigan Wolverines

ESPN 300: 7

Top offensive prospect: TE Andrew Olesh

Top defensive prospect: CB Ivan Taylor

Previous ranking: 16

The defending national champions start a new era with Sherrone Moore at the helm. Quarterback Carter Smith is a poised passer with good arm strength. He threw for over 2,000 yards, rushed for over 700 and was named Gatorade Player of the Year in Florida as a junior. WR Jacob Washington is a good, underrated pickup out of Louisiana. He tested very well this offseason on the camp circuit and offers a big target at nearly 6-foot-3 with close to an 80-inch wingspan. Olesh can be a productive target in the passing game from the TE position. He needs to fill out his frame but has excellent ball skills and body control and is good route runner for this stage.

Moore is a former offensive lineman and offensive line coach. So it isn’t surprising he added more talent to that unit with a pair of four-star big men in Avery Gach and Kaden Strayhorn. On defense, Kainoa Winston can be a well-rounded defender in the secondary with good speed. He makes plays in coverage and has the physicality to also come up and support the run. Taylor was a big flip from Notre Dame. He has good genes. His father, Ike, won two Super Bowls. Ivan displays solid technique for this stage and good speed.

With the Wolverines now up to 16 commitments, they’ll continue to work to add anywhere between seven and 10 more players to the class.

Check out our latest best guess list here.