From Buckeye Country to the Big House: Michigan's Ohio Recruiting Streak
The University of Michigan football team has been making waves in Ohio with their recruiting efforts, thanks to the guidance of recruiting guru Steve Clinkscale, who hails from Youngstown, Ohio. Clinkscale has been instrumental in landing some of Ohio's top football talent from the class of 2023 and 2024.
One of the standout recruits is Jordan Marshall, a 4-star running back from Cincinnati Moeller, who committed to Michigan in March 2023. Marshall was also pursued by Ohio State, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, but ultimately chose Michigan. He had a fantastic junior season, rushing for 1,961 yards and 30 touchdowns and catching 19 passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns, earning him Ohio Mr. Football finalist in 2022 and the 2022 Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year. Not only is Marshall a talented athlete, but he also excels academically with a weighted 4.23 GPA.
Another top Ohio recruit that committed to Michigan is Luke Hamilton, an offensive lineman from Avon High School. Hamilton, who is also a four-star recruit, stands at 6'5" and weighs 290 pounds. He helped lead Avon to a Southwestern Conference championship and a berth in the Division II regional finals during his junior season. Despite receiving offers from 20 other schools, Hamilton did not receive an offer from Ohio State.
Ben Roebuck is a 3-star offensive tackle from St. Edward High School, who committed to Michigan in March 2023. He received offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, and Duke, among others. Roebuck helped lead the St. Edward Eagles to their second straight state title, and they are poised to make a run for a third.
Michigan also secured commitments from two players from Chaney High School in Youngstown, Ohio. Jason Hewlett, a 2023 recruit from Chaney, flipped his commitment from Cincinnati to Michigan. Hewlett is a versatile athlete, playing both football and basketball in high school. As a senior, he totaled 59 tackles, including nine tackles for loss, two sacks, three interceptions, and three forced fumbles. He also caught 14 passes for 317 yards with three touchdowns and scored two touchdowns on defense and special teams. Hewlett was named first-team all-state defense, Division III OPSWA All-Ohio as a senior.
DJ Waller, another recruit from Chaney, flipped his commitment from Toledo to Michigan. Waller helped lead his team to the second round of playoffs, totaling 47 tackles as a senior with seven tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception. He was named first-team all-state defense, Division III OPSWA All-Ohio, and all-district (Northeast Inland), first team (2022).
Breeon Ishmail, a 6'4" linebacker/edge rusher from Princeton High School, also committed to Michigan. He totaled 64 tackles during his senior year and was named to the All-Ohio second team.
Finally, Cameron Calhoun, a 6'0" cornerback from Winton Woods High School, has already enrolled at Michigan. Calhoun helped Winton Woods win a state championship in 2021 and was named first-team All-Ohio in 2022.
With these commitments from top Ohio recruits, Michigan is set to continue its success on the football field. Clinkscale's ability to recruit in his home state has certainly paid dividends for the Wolverines.