Michigan Football hosted its top target in the 2023 recruiting class, Dante Moore, for a visit this weekend, and here’s what the 5-star QB had to say about it.
Any Michigan football fan knows how important five-star quarterback recruit Dante Moore is to the Wolverines. He’s one of the best prospects in the entire Class of 2023 and he’s the top QB recruit in the state in decades.
In theory, it should have been easier than ever for the Wolverines to push for Moore with Michigan Football just finishing its best season in decades, especially with another talented quarterback, JJ McCarthy, who has such great experience.
McCarthy didn’t start last season, but he immediately played significant snaps and contributed to the Wolverines’ Big Ten championship in a very real way.
Dante Moore could do that too. He might not start straight away at Ann Arbor, but he would easily be the guy in his sophomore season, and I don’t see the QB depth chart as a huge concern.
But whether it was because Jim Harbaugh showed interest in the NFL or assistants like Josh Gattis left, Notre Dame moved ahead at one point in that recruitment, and Michigan football has been trying to rally.
The Wolverines tried to get Moore on campus last month, but he ended up at Ohio State. The Buckeyes don’t appear to be in the mix after taking Dylan Raiola in 2024. And after bringing Moore onto campus this weekend, it feels like things are trending upwards.
The Maize and Blue Review teased a report that Dante Moore’s confidence is rising after spending all day on campus and watching a baseball game on Friday night.
Moore also did an interview with On3.com’s Hayes Fawcett and here’s what he said:
“I’ve been up there a million times, of course, but coming back up every time and having new conversations and reconnecting with players on the team is always a great feeling,” Moore said. “The visit was great overall and of course I have to respect them as I said about the day visitors.”
Moore credited Michigan football with the days because head coach Jim Harbaugh was the first to give it back when he was an eighth grader. The two have a long association and as I said, Harbaugh is the X factor in this recruitment and it’s time to close.
Michigan football is busy
This (unofficial) visit was a positive step in the right direction, but there is still a lot to do. Notre Dame has developed a strong relationship with Moore and they’ve long been a favorite, and with good reason.
Oregon shouldn’t be counted either. However, the Ducks are also pushing for Jaden Rashada and also have four-star Avery Johnson scheduled for an official visit in June.
Michigan hasn’t offered any quarterbacks other than Arch Manning. Notre Dame was involved with Johnson, but Moore is clearly the primary target.
Moore seemed to be enjoying his visit to LSU, and I wouldn’t discount Texas A&M either. But that recruitment still seems wide open, and that’s pretty wild considering Moore is making a decision.
Most quarterbacks make up their minds before their senior season, so it’s time for crunch. Michigan has some momentum after this visit, but can it capitalize on it?
It feels like there’s a fighting chance.
