2023 Recruiting Grade: Quarterback

Tag: Dante Moore


4Feb 2023
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2023 Recruiting Grade: Quarterback

UCLA signee Dante Moore (image via Bleacher Report)

I’m going to start something that I haven’t done in a few years, and that’s handing out recruiting grades. As Michigan’s recruiting has dropped off a little bit in 2023 to the low teens, I want to share how I feel about Michigan’s efforts overall.

I’ll start off with the most important position on the football fied: quarterback.

2023 NEEDS: 1

2023 COMMITMENTS: Indiana transfer Jack Tuttle

2023 OFFERS

  • Arch Manning – New Orleans (LA) Isidore Newman: Texas
  • Dante Moore – Detroit (MI) King: UCLA
  • Malachi Nelson – Los Alamitos (CA) Los Alamitos: USC
  • William Watson III – Springfield (MA) Central: Virginia Tech
  • Creed Whittemore – Gainesville (FL) Buchholz: Florida

GRADE: F

REASON FOR THE GRADE: First and foremost, Michigan completely whiffed on the quarterback position in the class of 2023 unless you count sixth year senior Jack Tuttle, who is a one-year backup rental. Technically, Michigan offered superstar recruits Arch Manning and Malachi Nelson, but both were extreme longshots and the Wolverines never really had a chance. Meanwhile, Watson and Whittemore are both undersized QB/ATH recruits who are probably likely to play a different position in college.

So really, Michigan put all of its eggs in the Dante Moore basket. Unfortunately, Moore had a desire to play immediately, and the presence of J.J. McCarthy blocked Moore at Michigan for at least the 2023 season, if not 2024. Moore is a 5-star prospect and could perhaps be the best quarterback in the class when all is said and done, and it hurt to lose him. It stings a little bit less since he didn’t end up at Michigan State or Ohio State, two programs he was also considering. But Michigan had a lot of connections and still couldn’t close the deal. Moore committed to Oregon initially, and when his future QB coach left for Arizona State, Moore flipped to UCLA. Personally, I think UCLA is an odd fit because head coach Chip Kelly does not have a strong record of developing pro-style quarterbacks.

Regardless, Michigan tried to land a quarterback in 2023 and failed. They could have potentially earned a commitment from Warren (MI) De La Salle’s Brady Drogosh (4-star, #20 QB, #317 overall) if they moved on him earlier, but they waited too long and burned that bridge. That leaves the cupboard relatively bare, since beyond McCarthy for the future, the Wolverines have only walk-on Davis Warren and projects Jayden Denegal and Alex Orji. That puts a lot of pressure on the staff to land a very good 2024 quarterback and/or explore the transfer portal for a future starter.

18May 2022
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Visitors: May 20-22, 2022

Detroit (MI) King QB Dante Moore

2023

Dante Moore – QB – Detroit (MI) King: Moore is a 6’3″, 195 lb. prospect with offers from Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, and others. He’s a 5-star, the #3 quarterback, and #5 overall. Michigan is not really pursuing any other quarterbacks in the 2023 class, so they have all their eggs in the Moore basket, so this is an important visit for the Wolverines. Right now the crystal ball leader is Notre Dame. At this point I think this recruitment is a formality, honestly. My hunch is that this is one final hurrah for Michigan and a chance for Moore to say he gave it every chance before he goes ahead and commits to Notre Dame. Hopefully I’m wrong.

2024

Charles Lester III – CB – Sarasota (FL) Riverview: Lester is a 6’2″, 171-pounder with offers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Michigan, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #4 cornerback, and #27 overall in the class of 2024.

2025

Davi Belfort – QB – Fort Lauderdale (FL) Dillard: Belfort is a 5’11”, 175 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, and Texas A&M, among others. He’s the son of UFC fighter Vitor Belfort. On his official visit to Ann Arbor this weekend, he also picked up an offer from Michigan.

13Apr 2022
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Visitors: April 15-17, 2022

Detroit (MI) King QB Dante Moore

This is a light visit week/weekend considering a little thing called Easter, but there are still a few players making their way to campus.

2023

Brady Drogosh – QB – Warren (MI) De La Salle: Drogosh is a 6’5″, 200 lb. prospect with offers from Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, and Minnesota, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 3-star and the #47 quarterback. He recently ran a laser-timed 4.61.

Samaje Featherstone – RB – Oakley (CA) Freedom: Featherstone is a 5’9″, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Army and FIU. He’s a 247 Sports 3-star and the #103 running back. Freedom is the alma mater of former Michigan wide receiver Giles Jackson.

Dante Moore – QB – Detroit (MI) King: Moore is a 6’3″, 195 lb. prospect with offers from Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, and others. He’s a 5-star, the #3 quarterback, and #5 overall. Michigan is not really pursuing any other quarterbacks in the 2023 class, so they have all their eggs in the Moore basket, so this is an important visit for the Wolverines. Right now the crystal ball leader is Notre Dame. UPDATE: Moore is no longer planning to visit Michigan this week.

Hit the jump for more.

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11Mar 2022
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Preview of 2023 In-State Recruiting: #1-5

Detroit (MI) King QB Dante Moore

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If you read this site or are into Michigan recruiting, you probably know the names at the top of this in-state list. The ranking/order are according to the 247 Composite. I can tell you right now that I would rearrange this top five list, but until I complete my rundown of the top players in the state, I won’t really put them in order.

1. Dante Moore – QB – Detroit (MI) King
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 195 lbs.
Notable offers: LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State
Commitment: Uncommitted
247 Composite: 5-star, #3 QB, #6 overall
Analysis: Moore is a national prospect at the quarterback position and has been a widely known name for several years. He has very good anticipation and touch, along with having adequate arm strength and athleticism. He’s not a dynamic athlete with his feet, but he’s a good athlete who can move in the pocket and has really refined his footwork. He appears to be one of the most college-ready quarterbacks to come out of Michigan in a long time. Wherever he goes, he will probably be in the conversation to start by year two at the latest. Moore grew up an Ohio State fan, gets private coaching from former Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner, and has good relationships with the coaches at Notre Dame. So his future destination is up in the air right now in a hotly contested battle.

Hit the jump for more.

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2Mar 2022
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Visitors: March 4-6, 2022

Hagerstown (MD) St. James DT Devan Houstan (image via Hudl)

2023

Devan Houstan – DT – Hagerstown (MD) St. James: Houstan is a 6’4″, 270 lb. prospect with offers from Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Penn State, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #45 defensive lineman, and #305 overall. He also happens to be the younger brother of Michigan basketball player Caleb Houstan.

Dante Moore – QB – Detroit (MI) King: Moore is a 6’2″, 195 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and various others. He’s a 5-star, the #3 quarterback, and #6 overall. He’s attending the home game on Thursday night with Semaj Morgan (see below).

Semaj Morgan – WR – West Bloomfield (MI) West Bloomfield: Morgan is committed to Michigan (LINK).

2024

Ian Flynt – TE – Katy (TX) Taylor: Flynt is a 6’4″, 230 lb. prospect with an offer from UTSA.

Tayvion Galloway – TE – Chillicothe (OH) Chillicothe: Galloway is a 6’6″, 215 lb. prospect with offers from Indiana, LSU, and Pitt, among others. He does not yet have an offer from Michigan, but one very well could be coming after the visit on Monday, March 7. UPDATE: Galloway was offered on the visit.

Jackson Harper – WR – Avon (CT) Old Farms: Harper is a 6’2″, 195 lb. prospect who’s a teammate of Puglisi (see below).

Ryan Puglisi – QB – Avon (CT) Old Farms: Puglisi is a 6’2″, 195-pounder with offers from Boston College, UMass, and Ole Miss, among others.