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2026 Recruiting Update: March 5, 2023

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2026

Tay Lockett – WR – San Diego (CA) University City: Lockett is a 6’0″, 165 lb. prospect with offers from Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Oklahoma, Penn State, and USC, among others. Lockett had 92 tackles, 7 interceptions, 5 fumble recoveries and 3 forced fumbles in 2022.

Carson Sneed – LB – Nashville (TN) Donelson Christian: Sneed is a 6’5″, 210-pounder with offers from Louisville and Vanderbilt. He was offered by linebackers coach Chris Partridge, but he could also potentially play defensive end or tight end at the next level.

Dominic Turnbull – S – Miami (FL) True North: Turnbull is a 6’2″, 165 lb. safety with offers from Ole Miss, Syracuse, and UCF. He’s the son of former FIU and NFL safety Nick Turnbull.

2023 NFL Combine Results

Cornerback D.J. Turner II was one of the standouts, posting the fastest 40-yard dash time out of all players so far with a 4.26. It’s the fourth fastest time since 2003, according to ESPN. He’s 5’11”, 178 lbs. with 30 3/4″ arms and 9 5/8″ hands. He had a 38.5″ vertical jump and a 10’11” broad jump.

Meanwhile, defensive tackle Mazi Smith was a strength standout with the top bench press number so far (34 reps at 225 lbs.). He measured in at 6’3″, 327 lbs. with 33 3/4″ arms and 9 3/4″ hands.

Defensive end Mike Morris is 6’5″ and 275 lbs. with 33 1/2″ arms and 10″ hands. He ran a 4.95 forty with a 28.5″ vertical, a 9’2″ broad jump, and 22 reps on the bench press.

Still left to test are wide receiver Ronnie Bell, center Olu Oluwatimi, offensive tackle Ryan Hayes, kicker Jake Moody, punter Brad Robbins, and tight end Luke Schoonmaker.

2023 NFL Combine Invitees

Michigan has nine players participating in the NFL Combine this week/weekend.

And if you’re like me, you’re dying to see the bench press and vertical jump numbers for Brad Robbins.

Here is the full list of participants:

• WR Ronnie Bell
• OT Ryan Hayes
• K Jake Moody
• DE Mike Morris
• C Olu Oluwatimi
• P Brad Robbins
• TE Luke Schoonmaker
• DT Mazi Smith
• CB D.J. Turner II

Both defensive tackle Mazi Smith and cornerback D.J. Turner II were on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” prior to the 2022 season. Smith bench pressed 325 for a total of 20 reps in the off-season, and some think Turner might be able to run in the high 4.2s in the 40-yard dash.

All-Time Career Field Goals Made Leaders

With the graduation of Jake Moody – and his possible drafting this spring – I wanted to take a look back at the top field goal kickers in Michigan history.

1. 69 – Jake Moody (2018-2022)
2. 64 – Garrett Rivas (2003-2006)
3. 63 – Remy Hamilton (1993-1996)
4. 57 – Mike Gillette (1985-1988)
5. 45 – Brendan Gibbons (2010-2013)
6. 42 – Quinn Nordin (2017-2020)
7. 39 – J.D. Carlson (1989-1991)
8. 37 – Kenny Allen (2012-2016)
9. 31 – Ali Haji Sheikh (1979-1982)
10. 29 – Bob Bergeron (1981-1984)

Interestingly – to me, at least – some of the best years in modern Michigan history are not represented here, such as 1997-2002. That was right in the middle of the Lloyd Carr years. Maybe Michigan was too busy scoring touchdowns with Anthony Thomas, David Terrell, etc. to be kicking many field goals.

Visitor: March 3-5, 2023

2024

Andrew “A.J.” Dennis – OG – Mount Pleasant (MI) Mount Pleasant: Dennis is a 6’4″, 275 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri, among others. He’s a 3-star, the #30 interior offensive lineman, and #573 overall. Dennis is visiting on Monday, March 6.