Michigan football 2021 target board: Interior Offensive Linemen

If you need another indication of the job Ed Warinner is doing on the recruiting trail, take a look at the visits column on the offer boards at the end of each of these previews. For both the tackles and interior linemen, the column is stuffed with almost every player taking a visit and most coming up multiple times. With visits being the most integral piece in securing a commitment, it’s easy to see why Michigan is set up so well on the offensive line for years to come.

Here’s how the guards and centers are looking for 2021.

Top Target

Clarkston (MI) Rocco Spindler - Four-star, No. 47 overall, No. 2 OG

Spindler was recently moved to guard in 247Sports’ rankings, which is why he’s appearing in this preview instead of yesterday. At just over 6-foot-4, that designation makes sense and would also make him a great defensive tackle if Michigan chooses to pursue that route. For now, it’s still all offense for Spindler, who was at most home games last fall. Michigan will have to hold off Ohio State and Notre Dame to land the elite in-state prospect.

In the Mix

Noble & Greenough School (MA) Drew Kendall - Four-star, No. 62 overall, No. 4 OG

Kendall just saw a big jump in the latest rankings to put him just outside of the top 50 overall. You like to see he’s from Massachusetts, playing in the same league as 2020 commits Kalel Mullings and Zak Zinter, so the familiarity is definitely there. He should be back on campus soon after visiting for the BBQ last summer.

Cass Tech (MI) Raheem Anderson - Four-star, No. 210 overall, No. 2 C

Michigan once looked like a lock for Anderson, who attends traditional pipeline Cass Tech. However, the coaches may have cooled a bit on Anderson as they pursue other players on their board. Regardless, they built a big lead earlier for a reason, so they will probably be able to rekindle the relationship if they choose to circle back.

Brentwood Academy (TN) Noah Josey - Four-star, No. 288 overall, No. 17 OG

Michigan has been pretty active in Tennessee in the 2021 class, hosting Josey and a few of his teammates a couple times last year. Josey doesn’t have any crystal balls yet but has a star-studded offer list featuring Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU and many others.

Long Shots

O’Dea (WA) Owen Prentice - Four-star, No. 214 overall, No. 10 OG

Prentice enjoyed a nice bump in the latest rankings release, putting him just outside the top 200. He camped at Michigan in June, winning the MVP for offensive linemen. However, it took him until January to receive his offer. If he visits again, you can consider Michigan a contender in his recruitment.

IMG Academy (FL) Greg Crippen - Four-star, No. 221 overall, No. 11 OG

Crippen, who is originally from Massachusetts, has played at IMG Academy the past couple seasons. He was high on Michigan early but committed to Notre Dame last March. Despite that, he visited Michigan for their season opener in a bit of a surprise that potentially opened the door for a flip.

Under the Radar

Harper Woods (MI) Davion Weatherspoon - Three-star, No. 882 overall, No. 13 C

Weatherspoon is another in-state center who will probably be there for the Wolverines if they want him, but the staff probably isn’t prioritizing center with redshirt freshman Zach Carpenter looking to take over, and Reece Atteberry coming in this summer.

Mater Dei (CA) Ross Maseuli - Three-star, No. 888 overall, No. 38 OG

A teammate of Jeffrey Persi’s at Mater Dei, Maseuli visited Ann Arbor for the Ohio State game and gave a glowing report. He also holds offers from Arizona, Fresno State, Oregon and USC, so Michigan will have to battle the distance factor here.

Class Predictions

Although Michigan will probably have to wait until Rocco Spindler takes all his official visits, I think the Wolverines will be the choice in the end. Other than him, it looks like the staff may go after an elite guy like Kendall, but be satisfied with leaning more on tackles and potentially swinging David Davidkov or someone else inside if needed.

Offer Board

We’ll pick up the previews on Monday by moving to the defensive side of the ball with everyone’s hot topic of the offseason, the defensive tackles.