Michigan Recruiting: Three new On3 rankings I love…. and three I hate
On3 released its updated rankings for the 2024 recruiting class on Monday. Here are three rankings I love and hate when it comes to Michigan commits and targets.
Three New Rankings I Love
EDGE Devon Baxter, Brandywine (Md.) Gwynn Park — I’ve been banging the drum for Baxter for several months, so I was thrilled that he moved up from a low four-star prospect to the No. 200 overall recruit nationally in the latest update. Baxter is extremely raw from a technical standpoint, but he has some of the biggest upside in the class. The DMV native has the frame to pack plenty of weight and amazing length. Michigan is the perfect fit for him thanks to Mike Elston’s ability as a teacher and Ben Herbert’s ability as a body developer. I would bank on Baxter hitting his ceiling and making On3 look smart.
LB Jaden Smith, Charlotte (N.C.) West Charlotte — I wrote this in April after seeing Smith live at Under Armour Charlotte: “I think new Michigan linebackers coach Chris Partridge is onto something with Smith…. Right now, he’s built more like a safety at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds. However, he has the frame to add quite a bit of weight. I see him playing in the same mold as Nikhai Hill-Green at Michigan. Smith is certainly raw, but he has the physical and athletic traits to be a big steal this cycle.” Fast forward to now and I’m really excited to see Smith again after he went up from a three-star prospect to the No. 249 overall recruit nationally. There is a lot to like about his ceiling.
TE Hogan Hansen, Bellevue (Wash.) High — A handful of Michigan commits dropped in this update, but one I didn’t take any issue with was Hansen, who fell 49 spots from No. 180 to No. 229. I think Hansen is ranked right around where he should be. And that’s certainly not a knock on him. He’s a complete tight end that is comfortable blocking and running routes from the in-line spot and can also split out if needed. However, he doesn’t necessarily flash elite traits on tape, and there was nothing to really evaluate from the offseason.
Three New Rankings I Hate
OL Andrew Sprague, Kansas City (Mo.) Rockhurst — Sprague made a jump in the rankings earlier this offseason but tumbled down 24 spots from No. 118 to No. 142 nationally in this update. The only event that Sprague competed in was the Under Armour Kansas City camp. However, Sprague was limited by injury and did not take part in 1v1s. He shouldn’t be knocked for that. The dude is fantastic on tape and, in my opinion, is the best of Michigan’s five offensive line commits. Look, offensive tackles are hard to project, but I believe Sprague has first or second round potential. I have him graded as a Top 100 recruit.
EDGE Dominic Nichols, Ijamsville (Md.) Oakdale — Nichols is in a very similar situation as Sprague. He only competed in one major event this offseason — Under Armour Baltimore — and was hampered by injury. Nichols had a severe gash on his foot from a freak accident that required stitches and kept him out of team workouts for a while. In fact, UA Baltimore was really the first time Nichols worked out in a couple of months, so he was naturally a bit sluggish. His junior tape is still exciting, and there is a reason Clemson circled back to him late. On3 dropped him from a low four-star to a mid-three-star prospect. He was ranked appropriately the first time.
EDGE Brian Robinson, Austintown (Ohio) Fitch — At this point, I’m starting to believe that me and Michigan defensive line coach Mike Elston are just blind. Robinson is a solid EDGE prospect with a good floor, but he’s not an elite level pass rusher. There is a reason the Elston and the Michigan defensive staff — guys that should be trusted with EDGE evaluations — have prioritized others on the board. Again, Robinson is a fine player with a terrific work ethic and could excel at U-M, but I definitely don’t agree with On3 moving him up more than 30 spots to No. 140 nationally. Three services now have him ranked as a Top 150 recruit. I just don’t get it. I agree with Michigan going hard after three-star Jacob Smith, who is criminally underrated by On3. Now, that’s a ranking I really HATE.
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