Now that the season has started and the dead period is over, recruiting can really start to heat up again. Michigan used their night game opener to host a handful of touted prospects on their 2021 board, and visits went well across the board. We’ve got more reactions from the game and some additional tidbits on who the staff is contacting in this week’s roundup, so keep reading to find out more.
Michigan near the top for four-star OT
One of the several blue chip offensive linemen in the state of Michigan for 2021 in Oak Park tackle Rayshaun Benny. In an interview with The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich, Benny relayed how the staff prioritizing him is paying off ($).
“I loved it,” Benny exclaimed while recapping his experience, adding that he “liked how fast and aggressive they were.”
A few hours after the visit was when the Michigan coaches were able to contact 2021 recruits, and the staff didn’t waste time getting in touch with Benny even though he was just on campus.
“Yup, within an hour we were talking,” said Benny. “(I talked with) Coach Harbaugh, Coach Moore and Coach Warinner. They asked me about how I liked the game and how they were happy they can finally contact me.
Benny holds a host of offers from some of the top schools in the country, but he says Michigan is right up in his top group.
“Michigan is definitely towards the top,” Benny explained. “Tie between them and probably LSU, Georgia and Purdue.”
There are no Crystal Ball predictions for the four-star yet, but Michigan will definitely be a factor throughout his recruitment.
In-state four-star LB enjoys return trip to Ann Arbor
After receiving an offer from his performance at Michigan’s camp back in June, 2021 Belleville linebacker Jamari Buddin has quickly become a priority for the staff. Buddin has reciprocated that interest, wasting no time in visiting Ann Arbor again for their game against Middle Tennessee State. He relayed to TMI’s Marich about how his bond with the coaching staff is growing every day ($).
When asked what his favorite part of the visit was, Buddin replied, “talking to the coaches for sure because every time I go we get closer and closer with every conversation.”
Buddin especially loves defensive coordinator Don Brown, calling him “an amazing teacher of the game,” and saying that he “could learn so much and gain so much knowledge for this game that I love.”
There are a pair of Crystal Balls in for Michigan right now, as the Wolverines look to hold off competitors like Penn State, Michigan State, Florida State, and Kentucky.
Michigan contacts a pair of five-star CBs
Of the many prospects Michigan reached out to when the contact period opened, it included two of the best cornerbacks in the country. According to TMI’s Steve Lorenz, five-stars Tony Grimes and Ga’Quincy McKinstry were some of the first to hear from the coaching staff ($).
Those two happen to be ranked No. 1 and 2 at their position for 2021 so far, and Michigan could end up being a factor for both. Grimes, who is from Virginia, has already visited campus once with his father and is working on plans to make it up to Ann Arbor again for a game this season.
McKinstry hails from Alabama and has yet to make the trip up north yet, but has said that he wants to visit Michigan. We’ve seen this situation before and I won’t start counting McKinstry as a likely candidate until he actually steps foot on campus, but Michigan is definitely swinging for the fences in 2021.
That’s it for this edition of the Wednesday Recruiting Roundup. Come back again soon for more of the latest updates from the Michigan recruiting trail so you can stay informed.