Thursday Recruiting Roundup: 2021 WR commit making final decision on NSD

Welcome to the final Michigan Recruiting Roundup of the week.

With the early signing period beginning in just 13 days, not much has really been happening as far as 2021 recruiting updates. However, there is one significant development happening right within Michigan’s own class, and it involves its best playmaker on offense.

2021 commit announcing final decision on NSD

It is really weird to type this, but we will know a lot more about where Michigan sits with one of its own 2021 commits on the first day of the early signing period.

Xavier Worthy, a top 100 overall prospect and a four-star wide receiver from California, posted this graphic earlier this week on Twitter, hinting at a final decision in his recruitment coming down to Dec. 16, which is when the early signing period begins.

Worthy has been committed to Michigan since July, but has been wavering his commitment as of late. He was supposed to visit Ann Arbor for the big Wisconsin recruiting event, but decided not to after visiting the week before. Most people thought it wasn’t a big deal because he visited the week before, but in my opinion, to not go out and visit during a weekend where a lot of other recruits and commits are visiting is pretty suspicious, especially when you originally planned on going.

Then, just last weekend, Worthy took a trip to Alabama to watch the Crimson Tide whoop the (bleep) out of Auburn in the Iron Bowl, even without Nick Saban on the sidelines. I said this on Future Brew this week, but Alabama wide receivers had 13 catches for 226 yards and 4 touchdowns last weekend with Worthy witnessing it all. Michigan wide receivers against Penn State, meanwhile, caught 10 balls for 90 yards and no touchdowns.

The writing is on the wall here, and the decision has probably already been made. I don’t expect Worthy to be a part of this class come Dec. 16.

2021 four-star CB visiting elsewhere

Michigan is in the thick of things for 2021 four-star cornerback Ceyair Wright. He came to Ann Arbor a few weeks ago for the Wisconsin game and got to meet a ton of other Michigan commits and targets.

His recruitment has been a pretty quiet one, but he did recently tell 247Sports’ Greg Biggins ($) he isn’t done making visits before his decision at the All-American Bowl on Jan. 2. In fact, he took a trip to Oregon a couple weeks ago, and now is visiting Notre Dame this weekend.

“We’re flying out on Thursday and staying through Sunday,” Wright said. “I’m hoping we can go to the game on Saturday but I don’t know for sure what the rules are out there.”

Wright won’t be alone when he goes to South Bend, as his mom, dad and uncle will also be with him on this trip. But this visit to Notre Dame may not be the last one for Wright before making his decision.

“I really want to see Nebraska and Utah,” Wright said. “They have been recruiting me really hard for a long time.”

Wright also mentioned Penn State and Texas as schools showing interest recently. He also shared his thoughts on his recent trip to Michigan.

“I loved it at Michigan and had a great visit there. I know they’re struggling a little right now but that’s still a great school and with Michigan, you get the best of both worlds, football and academics,” he said.

This recruitment is really going to come down to the wire. There really isn’t a true leader in this recruitment. If I had to pick today, I still think Wright stays out west, which would leave Michigan in a really tough spot with just one cornerback in its 2021 class.

U-M in top 10 of 2022 five-star

Earlier this week, the Wolverines made it onto the top 10 list for 2022 five-star athlete Gentry Williams. The 6-foot, 170-pounder plays quarterback at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but his recruitment is focused at cornerback and wide receiver. The Wolverines have cornerbacks coach Michael Zordich and tight ends coach Sherrone Moore recruiting him, so it appears they like him on defense.

According to The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich ($), Michigan has not given up in this pursuit and “keep pushing in this race.” Marich notes Gentry’s connection with Moore and the early playing time for Daxton Hill, who also attended Booker T. Washington High School, as important factors in Michigan’s favor.

Williams — who is the No. 14 overall player on the composite — is on record saying he plans to visit Ann Arbor at some point, but the pandemic has obviously stalled those plans for now. A visit will obviously go a long way for him, so we will see if the Wolverines are able to get him on campus at some point next year.

That’s all for now! Come back Tuesday for another edition of the Recruiting Roundup.