Michigan landed one of its top remaining defensive lineman targets on Wednesday, but it missed out on another.
Chicago Marist 2023 three-star Jamel Howard Jr. made his college decision on signing day, committing to Wisconsin over Michigan and others in an announcement at his high school.
The Wolverines appeared to be the frontrunner to land the 6-foot-3, 320-pounder after he took an official visit to Ann Arbor in December just ahead of the early signing period, but he chose to delay his decision.
Howard previously committed to Wisconsin in June but backed off his verbal pledge in November after the school coach fired Paul Chryst. However, new head coach Luke Fickell continued to make Howard a priority and was able to get him on campus for an official visit in December.
The No. 1,198 overall prospects nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, also took official visits to LSU, Ole Miss and Miami in January but decided to remain in the Big Ten.
While Howard wasn’t highly rated, he did possess an offer list of 16 schools, with notable programs such as LSU and Miami making a hard push late.
Nevertheless, Michigan still inked five defensive linemen/edge prospects this cycle, although none tipped the scales at over 300 pounds like Howard, who would have slotted in at the nose position in Michigan’s defense.
The Wolverines did nab another defensive lineman on Wednesday though in Chatworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon three-star defensive lineman Cameron Brandt, who flipped his commitment from Stanford and signed with Michigan.
Brandt is the final addition to Michigan’s 2023 class, which totaled 24 recruits. The class currently ranks No. 19 nationally.