Michigan’s recruiting has taken on some criticism in recent months. I myself spoke up about the need for a new strategy in the NIL landscape. However, there is one aspect of recruiting that Michigan is having a lot of success with. Michigan’s international recruiting is proving successful.
International Recruiting
International recruiting is relatively new. PPI Recruits is a company founded in 2007 that helps international players gain recognition in American football programs. The players come to the states in order to play high school football or simply meet some of the coaches of top D-I programs. Europe is believed to be the next frontier in college football recruiting. Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines are blazing the trails of this new frontier.
Aymeric Koumba
Koumba is a prospect out of France that was just added to Michigan’s 2023 class. He stands 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds with a 7-1 wingspan meaning Michigan adds another powerhouse to the defensive line. One challenge with international recruits is highlighted by Koumba. He is not rated by any recruiting services yet. Because of his international play, recruiting sites have not expanded their evaluations to these players. Is Koumba a 3 star or 5 star? His raw physical skills look amazing but the lack of rating makes it difficult to know how this commit affects Michigan’s recruiting class. If Koumba becomes an All-American, it makes Michigan’s 2023 recruiting class look stronger.
Manuel Beigel
Beigel is a 6-foot-5. 282 pound prospect out of Germany. He will be playing high school football in Connecticut this season. Interestingly enough, Beigel has played soccer his whole life and has recently got into football. (I can’t imagine trying to stop a 280 pound person on a soccer field!). Michigan is banking on their superior coaching of the defensive line in order to turn him into a menace in the trenches.
More Recruits on the Horizon?
@Okoronkw1Justin is Linebacker with Offers from Michigan & Penn State, but is so athletically gifted he plays Saftey for the German National Team. Every Power 5 in the USA should be after this kid. 6'2 210lb Linebacker who ran a 4.49 at @MSU_Football camp. @BCollierPPI pic.twitter.com/Wy6GiRWY3W
— Coach Josh (@JoshAlaeze) July 16, 2022
Michigan will continue to sign international recruits. Not surprisingly, the Wolverines have another German on their radar in Justin Okoronkwo. He is an ultra athletic linebacker who many believe has the skills to be one of the best in the nation. This is just one of many that the Michigan Wolverines and many of D-I programs are targeting. As we can see, Michigan is clearly ahead of the other D-I programs.
Football is becoming more international. The interest in the game is growing. The NFL is playing more games internationally this season than ever before. Obviously, Michigan needs to figure out the NIL landscape. However, there is no question that Michigan’s international recruiting strategy is proving successful.
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