The 2024 Michigan Wolverines will be remembered for one of the most shocking upsets in recent history, toppling Ohio State in Columbus. Their victory over Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl added a silver lining to an otherwise disappointing season, especially following their national championship triumph the year before.
Much of Michigan’s 2023 success stemmed from a core group of veteran players who returned for one final season, masking the recruiting struggles that had emerged in the later years of Jim Harbaugh’s tenure. With those veterans gone, the cracks in Michigan’s roster became more apparent in 2024. The impact of key recruiting misses loomed large, leaving the Wolverines searching for answers at several critical positions.
Dante Moore – Quarterback (UCLA, now Oregon)
Michigan’s failure to secure a top quarterback in back-to-back recruiting cycles came back to haunt them. After landing J.J. McCarthy in 2021, the Wolverines put all their focus on five-star Detroit native Dante Moore in the 2023 class. However, when Moore opted for UCLA, Michigan was left scrambling with no viable alternatives. While Moore remains an unproven talent after transferring to Oregon and backing up Dillon Gabriel, his presence in Ann Arbor could have provided much-needed stability at the position.
Josh Conerly Jr. – Offensive Line (Oregon)
Michigan aggressively pursued five-star offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. in the 2022 class and appeared to be gaining momentum in his recruitment. However, the departure of Courtney Morgan, Conerly’s main recruiter, to Washington derailed Michigan’s chances. Conerly ultimately chose Oregon, where he became a two-year starter and is now projected as a top prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. His absence was felt on Michigan’s offensive line, which lacked elite talent at tackle in 2024.
Raylen Wilson – Linebacker (Georgia)
Originally one of Michigan’s prized commitments in the 2023 class, Raylen Wilson later flipped to Georgia after earning five-star status. Though he has yet to see significant playing time in Georgia’s stacked linebacker room, Wilson would likely have been an immediate contributor for Michigan. His blend of speed and physicality could have strengthened the Wolverines’ defense, which lacked depth at linebacker in 2024.
Kalen King – Cornerback (Penn State)
One of the biggest in-state recruiting losses in recent memory, Detroit’s Kalen King spurned Michigan for Penn State in the 2021 cycle. King quickly developed into one of the top cornerbacks in the Big Ten, earning a selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Had Michigan secured his commitment, he would have formed a formidable tandem with Will Johnson, allowing younger players like Jyaire Hill more time to develop instead of being thrust into starting roles prematurely.
Other Notable Misses
Beyond these key losses, Michigan also struggled to land impact players at other positions in recent recruiting cycles. Offensive lineman Rocco Spindler (Notre Dame), tight end Oscar Delp (Georgia), edge rusher Ethan Burke (Texas), defensive tackle Deone Walker (Kentucky), and running back Darius Taylor (Minnesota) were all players Michigan targeted but failed to sign. Each could have filled important roster gaps in 2024.
The recruiting shortcomings of previous years became evident this past season, as Michigan lacked the high-end talent needed to sustain the dominance of 2023. While coaching, development, and scheme adjustments played roles in the team’s struggles, the inability to land top-tier recruits at key positions was a major factor.
As Michigan looks ahead to the future, new head coach Sherrone Moore will need to ensure that recruiting remains a top priority. The Wolverines cannot afford to miss on elite talent, particularly at quarterback and along both lines of scrimmage, if they hope to maintain their status as a national powerhouse.