2021 four-star WR Jayden Thomas commits to rival program over U-M

One of Michigan’s final targets at wide receiver in the 2021 class, four-star Jayden Thomas, committed to Notre Dame over the Wolverines on Friday.

The other schools the 6-foot-1, 205-pounder from Atlanta, Georgia was considering were Georgia, Penn State and Arkansas.

Michigan offered Thomas back in June 2018 and were heavily involved for the majority of the recruitment. But after in-state receiver Andrel Anthony committed to Michigan over the summer, talks fell off between the Wolverine coaches and Thomas. That allowed Notre Dame to pick up the steam and solidify its spot at the top of his recruitment.

Unfortunately for Michigan, by the time three-star receiver Markus Allen de-committed, it was a little too late to fully get back in Thomas’ recruitment.

With Thomas now locked in to Notre Dame, it looks like the Wolverines may be done at the wide receiver position in 2021. They still have been quietly recruiting another Notre Dame receiver commit, four-star Lorenzo Styles, but it’s a long shot to flip him at this point. I would expect Michigan to take its current trio of receivers — Anthony, four-star Xavier Worthy and four-star Cristian Dixon — and look ahead to the 2022 class.

Notre Dame leap frogs Michigan in the 2021 team rankings, with Notre Dame going up to No. 9 and Michigan falling to No. 11 after Thomas’ commitment.