Michigan received its 17th commitmentof the 2016 football recruiting cycle on Friday in the form of safety Devin Gil (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida).
Jim Harbaugh and staff have been busy trying to carve out new pipelines all across the country, and it appears they have a new one in Charles W. Flanagan High School, where both Gil and fellow safety Josh Metellus are teammates, along with linebacker target Devin Bush Jr.
Gil is a three-star prospect and the 63rd-ranked safety in the class of 2016, according to the 247 Composite ranking.
I understand that anytime a program gets a commitment that is not a blue chip prospect, the player is immediately labeled as a "sleeper" or a "diamond in the rough." When I look at Gil on film, I truly believe that Michigan has just brought in a potential difference maker in the secondary down the road.
Gil does a lot of things well. He is very good in pass coverage and always seems to be around the football or know where it is going. He is patient and uses his vision to find his way to the ball and make plays. He has soft hands for a defensive back prospect.
He has good size at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds and will continue to grow, obviously. Gil has good speed and a nose for the football in run support and also shows the ability to blitz effectively.
Gil can play, and it would not surprise me to see him shoot up in the rankings with a strong senior year. Regardless, Michigan coaches have a good prospect to try and mold into a great player on the back end of the defense.