Kirk Campbell Explains How He Sells Michigan Football To Young, Big-Time Recruits

Michigan is going to find some really, really good recruits with Coach Campbell helping out.

Quarterbacks coach, Kirk Campbell, was an analyst with Michigan football in 2022. But after Matt Weiss was let go this past offseason, Campbell was promoted to quarterbacks coach. 

Campbell spent some time at Old Dominion as offensive coordinator, and with Sherrone Moore and Jim Harbaugh off the sideline last week, Campbell was the OC for the Wolverines. 

Michigan scored 30 points and the passing game was efficient. J.J. McCarthy threw some ropes and passed for 280 yards and three scores -- all to Roman Wilson. 

During media availability, Campbell was asked what he wanted to bring to the quarterbacks' room. He told the media how strong of a bond McCarthy and himself have, and he believes he has a strong understanding of the position. He felt like there was a need to reach these players on a more personal level.

"I personally feel that I have a strong understanding of quarterback fundamentals and I just felt, for me -- this team needed a guy to reach out to those players on a personal player as well," said Campbell. "There's a lot on the field and off the field as well, just thought it was a great opportunity for myself and Michigan."

When J.J. McCarthy was recruited out of high school, he was a five-star recruit that many schools wanted. But the Wolverines have struggled to find those five-star quarterbacks and you have to go back years to find another. With Campbell as the quarterbacks coach, it's been said and noted he is a big reason why Jadyn Davis is committed to Michigan in the 2024 cycle. 

Campbell says he is just himself when he recruits players to come to Michigan. He finds it important to build a personal relationship with every recruit, not just talking about football, but about their life and family. 

"Everybody is different," Campbell said. "How do you reach that individual to create the relationship? I'm myself and have conversations with them about life, about their family. Football comes secondary to that but I want to get to know the player."

While he's not signed, Davis' commitment feels like it's as rock solid as it comes. Michigan is also after a big fish in the 2025 cycle -- Bryce Underwood. The Wolverines are also in the mix for other four-star signal callers in '25 and after. 

Campbell was asked how he sells this Michigan offense to recruits, especially quarterbacks. The Wolverines have had a run-first identity for a few years, so why would a five-star, the No. 1 prospect want to play in Ann Arbor?

He says this offense is the best one to prepare these kids for Sundays in the NFL. Michigan can go under center, it runs play-action, and dropback passes, among other formations. Not many programs are that versatile for these young, big-time recruits. 

"I don't think there's a better offense in the country to prepare you to play on Sundays.," said Campbell. "We're under center, we run play-action, we run the dropback game, we run empty, we do everything. I think that would speak for itself, that results in the throw game. Plus, we're at the University of Michigan, there's no other place to play."